Making Kids Feel “Big” — The Power of ICG Scholarships

At Ithaca Children’s Garden, we believe every child deserves the chance to explore, play, and grow — regardless of their family’s financial situation. That’s why our annual Scholarship Fund Campaign has an ambitious goal of raising $55,000 by the end of April to provide scholarships for over 100 local families. These scholarships ensure that cost is never a barrier to children experiencing the joy of nature, hands-on learning, and unstructured play.

This month, we spoke with caregivers whose children have benefited from ICG scholarships. Their stories are a powerful reminder of what’s possible when every child has the opportunity to grow in nature.

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For Addy’s family, ICG has been more than just a summer program — it’s been a place where their child could fully come into his own. “Our son loves the days when kids get to be kids and play in the mud.” Addy shared. “He comes back dirty, exhausted, and happier than ever.”

That joy is matched by the care and attention he receives from educators. Addy described her son as shy and well-behaved — the kind of child who, she explains, can sometimes be overlooked in group settings. At ICG, that wasn’t the case. She shared that staff offered thoughtful, nuanced observations and made sure he was seen, understood, and supported every step of the way.

Over the course of the program, that support translated into growing confidence. Early on, he was intimidated by Gaia, the Garden’s iconic turtle sculpture. By the end of his time at camp, “he trapsed all over her with confidence,” Addy shared.

ICG also gave him something even deeper: a sense of agency. As Addy reflected, “Four-year-olds who are shy and observant, who follow rules and open up slowly, often seem small. At ICG, he is big. He has agency! He taught us about the Anarchy Zone, where he can be free.”

For Addy’s family, ICG’s Scholarship Program made this experience possible — and accessible in a way that felt welcoming. She noted how rare it is for financial assistance programs to feel this way, sharing that many can be difficult and discouraging to navigate. At ICG, the process was different: “It was kind and respectful, financial support was clear and easy to access, and made us feel wanted and included rather than a burden.”

That experience didn’t just make participation possible; it shaped how Addy understands the value of ICG as a whole.

“This is truly one of the most high-quality offerings in the area with professional educators on staff, a rich play-based space, and stunning nature,” Addy said. “To have this accessible to low-income families like ours is unbelievable. ICG makes sure that any child can enjoy the gift of nature and play.”

During a particularly challenging time for their family, that access meant even more. While recovering from postpartum complications in the hospital, Addy found comfort in knowing her child was not just being cared for, but thriving. “It was an unbelievable gift to rely on ICG, to know our kid wasn’t just being taken care of but was delighting in his days. And that the other kids and counselors delighted in him.”

Stories like Addy’s remind us that scholarships are about more than access — they’re about dignity, belonging, and the chance for every child to feel big, capable, and free.

But we can’t do it alone. Right now, your gift can make an even greater impact. If you make a gift by April 30, your contribution will be doubled thanks to a matching challenge up to $27,500. We need every penny to meet the community need. Your support directly funds Tompkins County families.

Join us in making sure every child has the chance to play, learn, and grow.