JUSTICE IN ACTION
Youth in Ontario County have a unique opportunity to gain leadership skills and hands-on experience in community impact by volunteering with Ontario Cares Youth Court.
In Youth Court, first-time, low-risk youth offenders are referred in lieu of other disciplinary actions like family court, probation, or suspension, according to Tina Shumpert, youth program director at Ontario Cares.
During volunteer training for the program, which takes place twice a year, youth volunteers will prepare to assume the roles of judge, jury, prosecution, and defense in Youth Court.
Volunteers will lead questioning and determine the appropriate consequence, whether that be community service, an online course, a written essay, etc. The offender then has thirty days to follow through.
“Youth who have gotten in trouble have already had to answer to adults … for what they have done,” says Shumpert. “The peer-based approach gives youth the opportunity to not only understand from one youth to another what happened and why, but it also gives them the opportunity to provide peers with an alternative restorative solution.”
Spring training will take place Wednesdays from April 8 through May 27 at the Ontario County Safety Training Building in Canandaigua. Registration is required. (585) 396-4519
BLENDING FUN, FITNESS, AND HEALTH
The focus behind Ithaca YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is to provide a mix of fun—like face painting and a bounce house—with resources like exercise classes and health screenings.
“Health can be intimidating, especially for children,” explains Johnathen Rockwell, the location’s communication director. “Blending fun and activity with health resources makes staying healthy more approachable for families and keeps kids engaged with what they are learning.”
The thirty-fourth annual event, which has drawn more than 300 visitors in the past, will take place from 1–3 p.m. on April 18 this year.
A variety of organizations that support the wellbeing of families will be onsite to answer questions about the resources they provide, as well as to facilitate fun activities for attendees.
A favorite memory of Rockwell’s—one he says encapsulates the event—was when an impromptu tug of war game broke out between parents, children, staff, and YMCA’s leadership team at a previous Healthy Kids Day.
He adds, “Those spontaneous moments of fun are only possible when the whole community is together, and we really love bringing those to life.” ithacaymca.com
PIRATE PALOOZA
Hotel Canandaigua launched Corsair’s Cove, its outdoor tiki bar, last year with a pirate theme.
Soon, the idea for a complementary, family-friendly event took shape, and ultimately became Pirate Palooza.
The first event took place last year and drew about 300 visitors. For this year’s free event on June 6, event organizers are introducing more vendors, more entertainment, and more activities and games (with prizes) for kids.
The event will feature dozens of vendors, Nolan’s famous lobster rolls, and a beer and wine garden for the adult attendees. For kids, there will be bounce houses, games and activities, giveaways, live music, and, of course, pirates.
All attendees are encouraged to wear their best pirate costumes. This year’s event will benefit the nonprofit Happy Tails Animal Rescue.
SUPPORTING STRONG KIDS
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of Stroll for Strong Kids and 5K, one of the largest fundraising events for Golisano Children’s Hospital.
A lot has changed during those thirty years: most importantly, the participation and support by the community. During the Stroll’s first year, 500 people participated; last year, 7,000 participants showed up.
All proceeds from the event—which takes place this year on May 30 in Genesee Valley Park—support the work done by the hospital, which provides care to more than 86,000 children each year. Golisano Children’s Hospital has been ranked as one of the top fifty children’s hospitals in the country for multiple specialty areas by U.S. News & World Report.
To support the event, participants can pledge, walk, or run the 5K. Event organizers encourage participants to show up dressed as a favorite real-life or fictional superhero this year.
“We hope everyone who takes part feels a real sense of pride in knowing their support helps make miracles happen every day at Golisano Children’s Hospital,” says Betsy Findlay, senior director of advancement at the hospital.
“Just as importantly, we hope they feel the sense of community that makes this event so special, bringing together families, patients, and supporters who have all been impacted by the hospital’s incredible care.”
urmc.rochester.edu/locations/golisano-childrens-hospital
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of (585) Kids.
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