Expanding pathways for local youth through sports, outdoor education and experiential learning
Over the past 6 years, Ithaca B-Ball has grown into a full-fledged community program serving about 400, predominantly low-income and minority youth. Now, Ithaca B-Ball is teaming up with Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) to create the Next Level Up Youth Project. Expanding beyond the basketball court, the collaboration will pair high-quality sports instruction with outdoor and educational experiences that engage Cornell’s unique natural, educational and cultural resources.
During the program’s design phase in the spring, a team of 10 undergraduate students will act as a sounding board, helping to test and refine the proposed outdoor education, sports and experiential learning activities. Drawing on COE’s approach — which emphasizes outdoor skills and judgment, moving beyond personal limits, self-reliance and compassion for others — students will engage directly with Ithaca B-Ball participants and attend a series of five sessions examining the social and economic impacts of youth sports, outdoor education and early access to nontraditional opportunities. A two-week summer pilot serving 40 youth will launch the following summer, envisioned as a precursor to an annual and eventually year-round program reaching hundreds of children.
Sylvie Froncek, Cornell Outdoor Education, Athletics and Physical Education
Community Partner: Ithaca B-Ball