Activity groups are the heart of the Campus Club at Cornell. It is here that members make new friends, learn and share ideas, develop skills and simply have a good time. A person who joins the Campus Club at Cornell may then attend as many activity groups as she likes.
Contact Leader(s) for Activity Groups followed by an * to find out exact meeting times.
A member may initiate a new activity group by contacting the Activities Chair, Wendy Wolfe ww16@cornell.edu.
Bird Study (Tuesdays, 8:15AM for ‘early birds’, 8:30AM for Main Group; TBA Winter)
The Bird Study Group plans weekly trips for fall (September-November) and spring (April-June), with input from group members about destinations. Destinations include Stewart Park, Sapsucker Woods, Montezuma Wildlife Preserve and more. Opportunities to learn birding basics are offered in September. Birds observed are reported to the eBird citizen science program.
Contact: Lisa Wichman; jlisawichman@gmail.com; Sue Merkel-Yavitt; smyavitt@gmail.com
Book Group 1 (3rd Monday, 2 PM)
This group meets monthly at Kendal, and via ZOOM in the winter – for lively discussions led by various group members. We read both fiction and nonfiction. Books are chosen by the two group leaders from recommendations received from group members.
Contact: Marcia Jacobson; marcia.jacobson@gmail.com or Melanie Kalman; melanie.kalman@gmail.com
Book Group 2 (2nd Thursday, 1:30 PM) – Waitlist Only!
Participants meet monthly for lively discussions in members’ homes.. Book selections are suggested by members and discussions are led by different members each month.
Contact: Dianna Southward; diannamay@aol.com
Book Group 3 (3rd Monday, 7:30 PM)
Participants meet for lively literary discussions. We will meet mostly in person this coming year, though we will default to Zoom if the weather is bad. We usually have a volunteer lead the review, which lasts for an hour to an hour and a half or so, with everyone having a chance to participate in the discussion. The review usually consists of author information and questions to get our discussion going! In January, we restarted our international themed dish-to-pass dinners (based on the location for the book chosen for that month), followed by book discussion. Monthly book selections are chosen for the year in advance (in June), and are based upon member suggestions and votes. We read fiction, non-fiction and memoirs/biographies and our books are less than 400 pp, except our Summer book, which can be over 400 pp. Our books have been chosen for 2025 – 2026. Come join us!
Contact: Laura Andolina; andolina@aol.com
Book Group 4 (1st Wednesday, 2 PM) – New Group!
Any genre of book is allowed in this new book club: Fiction, Sci-fi, Mystery, Non-Fiction, YA, etc. The first book (for Wed Oct 1) will be Circe by Madeline Miller: genre: mythic fantasy. It is an adaptation of the Greek myths and the Odyssey. The books for the remainder of the year will be chosen by book club members after the first meeting.
Contact: Mary Scott; maryqueenscott@gmail.com
Bridge for Intermediate Players (Wednesdays, 9:30 AM to Noon)
We still play every Wednesday morning at the Lansing Village Hall from 9:30AM until 12:00PM. We ask for a $2.00 donation each week to pay for the rent of the room. We play all year including the summer time. Most players are at the intermediate level. Beginners who know the basics of bridge are welcome, as well as advanced players. We are an easy going group that looks to have fun and learn from each other. Please email lindaglabach@yahoo.com to be added to the weekly email that is sent out.
Contact: Patricia Holmes; pholmes2@twcny.rr.com or Barbara Armstrong; barb368@yahoo.com
Caregivers (3rd Thursday, 7:30 PM via ZOOM, and in-person as scheduled)
This group gets together for anyone who is, has or might be taking care of someone else in some way. This includes caring for children, the elderly or anyone else who needs help in some way. We listen to and work on supporting each other. We try to help find resources that will teach about, alleviate and work with you, the caregiver. This job can be thankless but also rewarding. We attend workshops at places such as the Office of the Aging or online. Just knowing that there are people who care about you and are willing to listen, can help. We meet on Zoom the third Thursday of each month at 7:30PM. We also choose an in-person meeting date each month at a local restaurant, such as Purity or Wegman’s second floor. No set time or day for the in-person get-together.
Contact: Linda Glabach; lindaglabach@yahoo.com or Rochelle Woods; rewoods112@gmail.com
Cycling Ithaca Trails (Weekly, Dates/Times TBD) – New Group!
We are a casual group of cyclists who bike whenever the weather permits along trails in the Ithaca area. We will ride local trails, such as: Cayuga Waterfront Trail, East Ithaca Recreation Way, Black Diamond Trail, South Hill Recreation Trail, and Dryden Rail Trail. All trails are mainly off-road, except for an occasional intersection, so we do not have to deal with traffic.
The cycling group will be a flexible group, where volunteers lead rides on dates they choose. If we determine a day and time that is particularly good for many, we may repeat rides each week on that day. You will get an email a few days in advance of the ride
Contact: Joan Cappione; cappione@gmail.com
Friendship Group – IN PERSON meetings 3rd Friday (Sept. to June), 3 to 5 PM, Lansing Village Hall (and sometimes in members’ homes); Zoom Meetings 1st Wednesday at 7:30 PM
Friendship Group (known initially as the International Wives’ Club and later as the International Women’s Friendship Group) has been around since 1947. Back in the day, there were up to 14 Friendship Groups meeting throughout the year. Today there is just one Friendship Group the meets once a month in person and once a month via Zoom. In person meetings usually have a topic or an activity. Zoom meetings are meant for members to have an opportunity to simply chat.
Contact: Raf Chew; rafchew@gmail.com or Linda Glabach; lindaglabach@yahoo.com
Games (Tuesdays at 10 AM)
Women who enjoy a gaming challenge meet Tuesdays at 10AM to play a variety of board and card games. You can relive your childhood or get out that competitive edge to play old and new games. So Clover!, Azul, Iota, Reverse Charades, Qwirkle, Concept, Euchre, Alhambra and Code Names are just some of the games we have played. If you have not heard of these games or do not know how to play, but would like to, we are happy to teach you.
Contact: Raf Chew; rafchew@gmail.com
Garden Group (details to be announced soon!)
Contact: Ginger Trow; gingertrow@gmail.com
Gourmet Diners’ Group (Monthly*)
The Gourmet Diners’ group has monthly themed meals, mostly dinners with occasional brunch and picnic, from September to June. We include spouse/partner/friend, foster camaraderie over delicious meals and interesting conversations! We have a variety of cooking skills from beginners to advanced. Members choose which night to attend and the Hostess chooses the menu and assigns the dishes. Meal expenses are shared. The hostesses and guests use our group’s published cookbook to coordinate the menus for the year. Members take turn hosting, when possible, or help out at bigger parties.
Contact: Alice Kops; portia95@amklegal.com or Drucy Glass; glassdrucy@gmail.com
