ICG's longest-running signature event, Scarecrow Jubilee, returns this year! Delight in the fruits of the harvest season with fall crafts, snacks, music, and, of course, scarecrow-making!

Join us in the Garden and at home to celebrate everything autumnal on Saturday, October 15, from 1 to 4 PM.

As the days grow shorter and the chill settles in the air, so returns our epic and free Friday program, Gaia Circle!

Gaia Circle is a community of young people in grades 6-8, who gather weekly in fall and spring to practice a mindful connection to themselves, each other, and the rich natural world around us.

We'll focus on fall favorites such as pumpkin carving, planting bulbs, harvesting from the Garden to prepare delicious snacks, and much more. This group will have opportunities to participate in our upcoming Scarecrow Jubilee and have plenty of time for crafting, conversing, hanging out with friends, enjoying warm herbal tea, and favorite fall activities planned by staff and youth. This fall, we have an opening for a teen mentor!

Gaia Circle's fall session begins on September 30th and meets Fridays from 4-6 PM. If you have any questions or want to be considered for the teen mentor position, contact Education Director Lauren (she/her) at lauren@ithacachildrensgarden.org.

This program exists in partnership with the Advocacy Center, Ithaca Children's Garden, and Rural Youth Services, with generous support from the City Federation of Women's Organizations, Women Building Community.

The youngest ICG program participants started at Playful Nature Explorers in mid-September!

Co-leads Kelsey (she/her) and Jason (he/him) have a full class of explorers ready to discover what the Garden offers. During fall mornings, preschoolers can be found singing during circle, harvesting in the Kitchen Garden, digging in the sand pit, building in the Anarchy Zone, and best of all-- playing! Our team and explorers are excited to celebrate what the season offers and create a class community.

Playful Nature Explorers runs Monday through Thursday mornings from September through June and serves children ages 2.5 through 5.

Back to school means back to After School @ ICG!

After a busy summer in the Garden, the after-school program students have returned.

While many feelings are mixed about being back in school, all the students agreed they were happy to be back in the Garden again. Many returning students jumped right back into the games and activities they started last year while welcoming our new students.

We're all looking forward to another great year of after-school at Ithaca Children's Garden!

More than bees were buzzing at ICG this summer. While summer campers, visitors, and staff played in the blooming garden, they also enjoyed the buzz of construction as a 30' yurt was erected on-site. Now, the yurt is almost complete!

A yurt is a round structure that provides the same protection and comfort as a stick-built structure, durability, and longevity. ICG's yurt provides a 4-season shelter to allow for safe programming year-round.

Our outstanding construction team has been busy building the yurt, constructing a deck and ramp, and installing heating and plumbing this summer. They have created a comfortable and accessible program space.

Within the coming weeks, interior construction will come to a close - we can't wait!