23rd Annual Girls Day Out

Hosted by Tompkins Cortland Community College | In collaboration with TST Boces P-TECH Academy

Presented by Byrne

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.

In the morning, all of the girls attended an interactive career fair to partake in hands-on activities and speak to female representatives from 20 organizations regarding education and career paths. See the full list of career fair participants here.

After the Career Fair, the girls split up into smaller groups and participated in 55-minute rotations of science, music, art and social-emotional 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 chose a word to describe themselves or an empowering phrase and then used Adobe Express to create digital art. After finishing their design, they were able to print it onto an “emergency kit” that they could fill with all sorts of things they might need like combs, flossers, etc.

Participants checking out electric circuits with a representative from SUNY Delhi Women in Trades at the Career Fair.
Participant using Adobe Express to create a design using an empowering phrase to print onto a bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Finally, YWCA Mentoring Director, Mindy Gardner led a collaborative lego-building activity aimed at developing social emotional skills. Participants were assigned a role such as “Supplier”, “Engineer”, or “Builder”,  and then had to communicate with the other groups to build one lego set.

For lunch, the girls enjoyed sandwiches and chips 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 past year’s donations from EDF Renewables and individual contributors as well as a donation from King’s Daughters.

Participants sorting lego pieces to begin their collaborative build.
Ukulele instructor, Melissa Simmons, showing a participant correct finger placement to play a cord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the 2025 Girls Day Out Facebook Album!

2025 Girls Day Out Sponsors:

Platinum & Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Beck Equipment

Cayuga Health

NYCM Insurance

Visions Federal Credit Union

Bronze Sponsors
James J. Baranello Law Office
Cargill
Fadden & Associates P.T., PLLC
First National Bank Dryden
Sciarabba Walker & Co., LLP
Thoma Development Consultants

YWCA Cortland’s 2025 Empower Partners:

YWCA Cortland’s 2025 Persimmon Partners: