Scholarship Information

Eligibility and Guidelines

Ames Parks and Recreation Department offers scholarships for recreation programs based on the following criteria:

• The recipient must be a resident of the city of Ames. A resident is defined as someone who resides within the city limits of Ames or a nonresident who owns a business or property within those limits and pays property taxes to the city.
• Youth ages 4 to 13 are eligible.
• Family income must meet guidelines predetermined by Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA).
• Each eligible youth may receive up to $60 in assistance per calendar year. Families are responsible for 50% of the program registration fee, while the remaining 50% is covered through the scholarship.
• To register, the head of household must submit their portion of the activity registration fee along with the Certification Form issued by MICA.
• The following activities qualify for scholarship registration: basketball, dance, golf, gymnastics, soccer, group swim lessons, T-ball, tae kwon do, tennis, youth summer camp, and volleyball.

Scholarships are also available for seasonal swimming passes based on the following criteria:

• Recipients must be residents of the city of Ames, as defined in criteria above.
• Family income must meet guidelines predetermined by MICA.
• All family pass members must reside in the same household.
• To purchase a season pass, the head of household must submit 50% of the season pass fee along with the certification form issued by MICA.

A new scholarship form must be completed by MICA staff each calendar year and submitted to the Community Center along with the registration and payment.

For more information on certification guidelines and to complete the form, contact:

Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA)
230 SE 16th St.
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-956-3333
Website: micaonline.org

Support the Fund

If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund to help others participate, please contact Courtney Kort, Recreation Superintendent, at courtney.kort@cityofames.org.

Scholarship Events

2026 Duck Derby Scholarship Event

The 4th annual Scholarship Duck Derby is set for Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 6:45 p.m. at the Furman Aquatic Center.

Adopt a duck and cheer it on as hundreds of rubber ducks are dropped down the water slide before racing around the lazy river. Prizes will be awarded to the winning ducks (you do not need to be present to win). You can win fun prizes such as a free bike, cash prizes and gift cards to local restaurants and businesses.

All proceeds from the Duck Derby benefit the Ames Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund, which helps make recreation programs accessible to everyone in our community.

A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, Mucky Duck Pub, for helping make this event possible!

Buy Ducks

Buy Ducks