Provided

The brothers of Beta Theta Pi.

On Jan. 19 a score of Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers from Cornell, organized and led by Cornell Outdoor Education (COE), helped build trails and prepare educational staging areas at the Ithaca YMCA’s Camp Adventure. The property includes 110 acres of wooded land that will be the site of outdoor summer camp activities offered in collaboration with area organizations.

Nearly 20 fraternity brothers braved fresh snow and mid-January weather to assist the YMCA with the trail work. COE provided tools and transportation; the students provided strong backs and active hands. Said COE Executive Director Todd Miner: “Having worked with Beta Theta Pi on two previous trail projects, I knew they’d come through to help volunteer, even if it was the weekend before classes began. They didn’t let us down!”

“These volunteers helped improve a wonderful natural area, lands that will become some of the most dynamic outdoor recreation areas of its kind in Tompkins County and beyond,” said Frank Towner, the Ithaca YMCA’s CEO.

The Camp Adventure program serves 85 children during nine weeks in the summer. Last summer’s outdoor activities included trail blazing, shelter building and survival training.