Scholarships

We are committed to inclusion. Scholarships are generated with our choose-your-price sliding scale fee format, collected and distributed on a program-to-program basis.

Contributions made over the minimum of the sliding scale are tax-deductible donations to our scholarship fund. Scholarships are limited to the sum of these funds but we may be able to draw on additional resources for families needing more financial assistance. If you need assistance with our program fees we encourage you to be in touch with us!

Scholarship Information

Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, pending available funds. We review applications every 2-3 weeks, and notify applicants soon thereafter.

Recipients will be notified by email and given a time-frame within which to accept or decline the amount awarded and complete payment of the balance.

Questions?

Please contact our office by email ([email protected]) or phone (607-272-2292). If you have questions about scholarships for someone who is not yourself or your child, please reach out by phone, email or the form below.

Additional Outside Sources for Scholarships:

Although we do our best to make sure that everyone can attend our programs, please also consider applying right away to the following supplemental financial assistance programs, to allow them time for processing your application:

Ithaca Youth Bureau ECHO Scholarship – This scholarship is through the Ithaca Youth Bureau and intended for youth in Tompkins County participating in recreational activities, at any time of year. Please call the Ithaca Youth Bureau office for more information: 607-273-8364.
The Town of Danby offers grants to youth up to age 21 for camps and afterschool programs. Info & application: [email protected] or on the Town Hall bulletin board.
If you live outside of the Towns of Ithaca and Danby, inquire at your local town hall for possibilities of youth scholarships. Please let us know of any resources you find!

What to Know About Our Scholarships Before Applying:

Scholarship amounts we can provide are outlined below by program type.
Larger scholarships are considered on a case by case basis.
Scholarship applications must be submitted a minimum of 30 days before the program start date to ensure consideration. You may apply closer to the start date, but we cannot guarantee a response before the program begins.
For those who are interested in submitting a Reparation Fee Waiver, do not fill out the Scholarship Application. Please complete the Reparation Fee Waiver https://primitivepursuits.com/request-fee-waiver/

**Scholarship Applications must be completed within the registration process and be associated with a specific program in order to be reviewed. If this is an issue please reach out to us at [email protected]**

Scholarship Amounts by Program Type

Growing Wild Summer Camps: Up to $125/week for a maximum of 2 weeks of camp/child
Forest Village and Explorers Camps: Up to $175/week for a maximum of 2 weeks of camp/child
Pathfinders Camps: Up to $185/week for a maximum of 2 weeks of camp/child
All Other Summer Day Camps: Up to $195/week for a maximum of 2 weeks of camp/child
Overnight Camps: Up to $200

If you need additional funding than from what is stated above, please share that information within your Scholarship Application. We will do our best based on our current resources to provide as much scholarship funding as possible.

Half of the program cost up to $125

*We do not offer scholarships for one day programs*

If you need additional funding than from what is stated above, please share that information within your Scholarship Application. We will do our best based on our current resources to provide as much scholarship funding as possible.

Up to $200 per trimester. You must submit a separate scholarship application for each trimester.

If you need additional funding than from what is stated above, please share that information within your Scholarship Application. We will do our best based on our current resources to provide as much scholarship funding as possible.

Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, pending available funds. We review applications every 2-3 weeks, and notify applicants soon thereafter.

Typical scholarship awards range from 10% to 20% of tuition amount for families below median income.
Families qualifying for free and reduced lunch may be eligible for additional assistance.

How to apply:
Create an online account and start the registration for your desired program. You will be prompted to apply for a scholarship during the registration process.

Adult Programs and Workshops: Amounts vary by program, please contact our office for more information

Ask a Scholarship related question

To apply for a scholarship, please log into your Account or visit the Document Center.

Now, more than ever, we need nature as a balancing agent.”

Richard Louv

Author of 'The Last Child in the Woods'