The 24th Annual Girls Day Out event, presented by Byrne and Cargill Deicing Solutions, is hosted by Tompkins Cortland Community College and in collaboration with TST Boces P-TECH Academy.

On Saturday, March 8, girls aged 10-14 from the Cortland area came together to enjoy a unique day of activities designed to engage and motivate them to explore leadership and career path opportunities.

The morning consisted of the girls learnign about 25 local organizations and potential career paths. See the full list of career fair participants here.

Girls Day Out Activities 

P-Tech Program

After the Career Fair, the girls split up into smaller groups and participated in 55-minute rotations of science, music, art and wellness activities. Crystal Theesfeld, Physics Teacher from TST Boces P-TECH Academy along with female students in the P-TECH program, led an activity that combined technology with creativity. Participants worked together to build a bridge across Cayuga Lake without being able to see each others side. Using communication skills to guide their attempts to cross the lake. Once the built their bridge, the girls had an oppurtunity to make an “emergency kit” and design the bag as they pleased.

 

 

 

 

 

Ukelele 101

Former music therapist and Cortland Prevention Resources Director Melissa Simmons taught the basics of playing the ukelele. They explored how fun and exciting but also therapeutic learning a musical instrument can be.

 

 

 

 

 

DanceFit with Meg

Finally, Megan Perioli, Owner and Dance Movement Therapist at Move With Me, LLC, led a session of DanceFit with Meg, where the girls learned health ways to not only keep active, but appreciate themselves through dance. They had fun expressing themselves, building confidence, adn supporting each other in a postivie and encouraging envoirnment.

 

 

 

 

 

For lunch, the girls enjoyed sandwiches from M&D Deli, pizza from The Hollywood, and chocolate milk from Trinity Valley Dairy.

At the end of the day, the girls jumped in the pool and had some fun with friends!

The best part? We were able to offer free registration for all participants, thanks to a dontaiton from King’s Daughters and various other donors.

Check out the 2026 Girls Day Out Facebook Album!

2026 Girls Day Out Sponsors:

Platinum & Presenting Sponsors

Gold Sponsor

 

Silver Sponsors

NYCM Insurance

Plan First Technologies

Sciarabba Walker & Co., LLP

Visions Federal Credit Union

Bronze Sponsors
James J. Baranello Law Office
Cortland Health Center
Fadden & Associates P.T., PLLC
First National Bank Dryden
Intuitive Psychotherapy, LCSW, PLLC
Living Essence Massage Institute
Thoma Development Consultants

YWCA Cortland’s 2026 Partners:

Empower Partner:

Persimmon Partner: