Extracurricular Activities

Community Resources for Youth

 

There are many extracurricular activities in the Bay Area and beyond to support a young person’s well-being, permanency, education, career, and independent living skills. Below are some general activity guides to spark inspiration as well as some highlighted activities that we recommend exploring with your youth. Know of some great activities not listed below? Contact your Case Supervisor to let them know!

General Activity Guides

Looking for some activity ideas and inspiration? Please check out the following resources from our community partners:

HIGHLIGHTED EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Brady Therapeutic Riding Free Therapeutic Horse Riding Lessons SFCASA has partnered with Brady Therapeutic Riding to offer low-key, safe and fun riding lessons where youth learn about being present, letting go of stories, and being aware of their body. There are no foster youth labels or jargon at “Hanging with the Horses”, just a time and space to learn, grow and heal.

SFCASA covers the cost of sessions. Introductory sessions are on Sunday mornings, after which times can be scheduled on afternoons W-F, and Saturdays. Please contact Program Manager Sue Lockyer (sue@sfcasa.org) for more information or to get started.

Presidio YMCA Swimming

  • Rec Swim: Saturdays and Sundays from 1-6pm. Cost is free. Contact Amanda Ables at aables@ymcasf.org to learn more.
  • Teen and Youth Swim Lessons: Times vary. Cost is $10/class (SFCASA can cover this). Contact Kate Eaneman at keaneman@ymcasf.org to learn more.
  • TAY Swim Lessons: For transitional aged youth ages 18-21 to learn how to swim. This can lead to lifeguard training and employment in the future. Contact Kate Eaneman at keaneman@ymcasf.org to learn more.

Please view this document for instructions on how advocates may access these opportunities for their youth. Please complete the liability form available here (English, Spanish, Mandarin).

AcroSports - Special Needs Open Gym; AcroSports offers a fun filled week of jumping, bouncing, and clowning around while promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. Experienced in Circus Arts gives kids a chance to build strength, flexibility, and mind body awareness while also offering the understanding that skills are earned and success comes through an application effort. They will begin to host open sessions every Saturday for youth with special needs starting at $15 per session.

Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors; Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors seeks to make all aspects of sailing accessible. Membership is open to people with disabilities and their families, friends, caregivers and assistants. Membership dues are $50/year for individuals or $100 for families, and cover all the sailing you can stand.

Mobile Rec Program; Brought to you by the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department, the primary goal is to introduce youth to recreational activities that are fun, challenging, and encourage them to "Get out and Play" now and during their entire lives. Activities include the mobile rock-climbing wall, skateboarding/BMX on Fresh Park equipment (ramps, rails and manual pads), disc golf, and sea kayaking.

San Francisco Choral Society; The SF Choral Society offers complimentary tickets to their concerts to students in junior and senior high school so that they may see the Choral Arts in action and be introduced to a concert experience. Adults are welcome to accompany their CASA youth, but only the Tickets for Kids are free. Click here to choose a performance and then contact the City Box Office or call them at (415) 392-4400 to request tickets. CASA youth will be seated next to the "paying" adult, or if no adult is present, the tickets will be available at will call the night of the show.

Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) San Francisco; Kids Enjoy Exercise Now San Francisco is a national nonprofit, volunteer-led organization that provides free one-to-one recreational opportunities for children and young adults with developmental delays and physical disabilities.

Alameda County

Hayward Area Recreation and Park District offers a wide range of activities for all ages (preschool 6 and under, school age 7-12, teens 13-17, and adults 17+). They have special events like the 75th annual Easter Egg Hunt or a Heritage, Diversity and Pride Festival as well as weekly programs in aquatics, arts, dance, music, after school programs, martial arts, gymnastic, theatre arts, special needs, nature and more. Information can be found here, on their Recreational guides for Winter and Spring and Summer Camps. Prices vary. Scholarships are available. Hayward also ensures that individuals with disabilities or special needs have access to programming. ADA Inclusion details can be found here and if there is any specific access needed to participate, call (510) 881-6700 or download and complete the form and return to District Offices at 1099 E Street Hayward.

The Underground Teen Center (UTC) provides a safe place for tweens and teens currently in 6th to 12th Grades to have fun, socialize with friends and participate in active, fun and enriching activities with adult supervision. The UTC has a big screen TV, pool table, video games, ping pong/shuffleboard, board games, music, and a snack bar. Free of charge, however some activities may require a small materials fee. Participants must register at the center and must sign-in and sign-out on a daily basis. After School Transportation is provided through the CLUB Underground Program from AUSD Middle Schools to the UTC in ARPD vehicles. Registration is required before being able to ride ARPD vehicles.

Alameda Youth Committee is seeking responsible and motivated teens 6th to 12th grade, who would like to get hands-on experience with volunteerism, leadership and event planning. The Alameda Youth Committee plans activities for teens such as the Teen Haunted House (September - October), Talent Show, AYC food booths, social events, community projects, fundraising and beyond! Regularly scheduled meetings are mostly the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month 4pm to 5pm. Dates are subject to change. Online registration is not available for this program. Mail, Drop off or fax Registration Form to: Alameda Recreation and Park Department, 2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501, fax: 510-523-4071.

Alameda Youth Clean Up Initiative: This program is FREE and open to those in 6th to 12th Grade. Join us to help clean up Alameda, and learn the benefits of making our community a healthier place. There are three dates remaining for Spring 2020: March 14th, April 14th and May 16th. Details about times and locations included in this flyer. Pre-registration is required for this program. Registration can be completed online, In Person or Mailed to: Alameda Recreation and Park Department, 2226 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda, CA 94501. Email completed registration form to: arpd@alamedaca.gov or fax to: (510) 523-4071. For any questions or concerns, please contact Shawn Smith, Recreation Supervisor I, at (510) 747-7555 or email him to sdsmith@alamedaca.gov.

Contra Costa County - East

Antioch, Concord (also Pleasant Hill, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Oakley, Knightsen, Byron, and Discovery Bay)

The Discovery Center at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory offers elementary school aged children access to view exciting state-of-the-art research programs and facilities for FREE at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Students can enjoy a combination of science displays, group activities and hands-on experiments.The Discovery Center is open 10 a.m. to Noon, Tuesday through Friday. The Discovery Center is located off Greenville Road on Eastgate Drive. You can call 925-423-3272 for more information about the Discovery Center.

Small World Park in Pittsburg California offers children 2 to 10 with family friendly activities such as train rides, carousel rides, balloon rides, toddlers whale ride, catch & release crawdad fishing, and playground equipment! You can enjoy the family atmosphere in this park, soak up some sunshine, and bring a picnic to enjoy on any number of their picnic benches. General admission (15 to 55) is $6.00 and children’s admission (1 to 14) is $3.00. Small World Park is located at 2551 Harbor Street Pittsburg California, 94565. Park hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday. For more information on Small World Park please call 925-439-4879.

Peek-a-boo Factory is a premier indoor playground venue designed for parents to allow their children to socialize, learn, and play by creating an environment that emphasizes physical exercise, mental stimulation, and collaborative activities. This facility is best for ages 2 to 12. They offer walk-in play at all times as well as different play areas for different age groups. They are located at 6253 Southfront Rd Livermore, CA 94551 and their hours are: Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For admissions, it is $10 per child and $8 per child under 1 years old (free if accompanied by a paid sibling). If you would like more information on Peek-a-boo Factory their phone number is 1 (925) 245-9913.

Luv 2 Play Dublin is an indoor play area for children ages 2 to 12. They offer state of the art Indoor playground with 4 large private party rooms to book! There are redemption arcades with prizes that kids can earn points and purchase from the Luv 2 Play redemption center. As you walk in you will see there are a total of 3 playgrounds with 7 slides, perfect for all ages 2 to 12. Luv 2 Play’s large multi-tier indoor main attraction, crawler station and toddler section are spectacular. There are also food vendors located inside. General admission is $14.95 for ages 6-months to 4 years of age, $16.95 for ages 5-12 years of age, and adults who accompany a child are FREE. If bringing more than one child, the sibling rate is $13.95. You can call them to find out more information at (925) 271-0976. Luv 2 Play Dublin is located at 7871 Amador Valley Blvd Dublin, CA 94568. Their play hours are Sunday-Thursday 10am-7pm and Friday-Saturday 10am-8pm.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY - WEST

Richmond (also San Pablo, Hercules, El Sobrante, Crockett, El Cerrito, Pinole, Rodeo, North Richmond)

Richmond Art Center is the largest visual arts center in the East Bay! The Richmond Art Center serves thousands of students every year through classes and programs taught by professional artists both onsite and at sites throughout Richmond. This center offers a wide range of activities from Classes and Workshops, Youth Art Tours, Scholarships and FREE programs and Events! A youth can register for classes or workshops online or in person. For more information on registration and registration policies, click here. The Richmond Art Center is located on 2540 Barrett Avenue Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 620-6772, Tuesday - Saturday 10AM-5PM, Closed Sundays and Mondays & Major Holidays. Gallery Admission is FREE.

Hercules Teen Center T.H.E. S.P.O.T. (Teens of Hercules Empowering through Spirit, Perseverance. Outreach & Teamwork) is a center whose goal is to give youth a sense of belonging to the community and empower them to gain the confidence and ownership needed. The center provides various programs such as Junior Staff in Training (Ages 14-18, $50 per school year for new members) with energetic staff who will help to train and mentor youth in preparation for their first job; Online Driver’s Education allowing teens to receive their Learner’s Permit at age 15 ½ and a license at age 16; X-Fit Boot Camp is a fun and challenging group fitness class for everyone from a first-timer to a seasoned athlete to improve quality of life; X-Fit Lil Ninja Training designed for all levels for children to develop gross motor skills, core strength, balance and control of their body in an athletic atmosphere. Hercules Teen Center is located on 2007 Refugio Valley Rd and for more information, call (510) 799-8289.

The City of El Cerrito Recreation offers Youth Sports programs such as:

  • El Cerrito Girls Basketball & Volleyball - A 5 week program offered in Fall at Korematsu Middle School Gym for girls ages 8-14 interested in improving their basketball and volleyball skills. For program details, click here.
    • Club V.I.P Volleyball League - For girls ages 12-15. Players have the opportunity to learn, play and enjoy the sport while building skills and playing weekday practices and matches. Traveling is around the East Bay (San Ramon, Hayward and Danville).
  • Youth Tennis - Tennis lesson offered in Fall at Cerrito Vista Park for ages 4-12. For program details, click here.
  • Youth Gymnastics - School-year gymnastics in June, July and August for children of all abilities (Preschool, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced). Children in Intermediate/ Advanced levels must first check with the instructor before registering. Ages range from 6-16 years old. For program details, please visit their website here.

El Cerrito Recreation also includes Teen Sports such as: El Cerrito Gators Swim Team, Alignment Based Yoga, Polynesian Dance: Beginning and Advanced, Karate, Shinshin Toitsu Aikido and Tendo Ryu Naginata. If sports are not a point of interest, El Cerrito Recreation offers Arts and Language Programs, Preschool Programs, School-Aged Childcare and Community Service and Programs. For more information, El Cerrito Recreation is located at 7007 Moeser Ln. El Cerrito, CA 94530 and can be contacted to (510) 559-7000 and emailed to recreation@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us. For hours of operation, click here.

Fresno County

The Fresno Discovery Center is a science center for the mind where visitors of all ages can discover, explore and create. Education involves active participation which is why we offer a wide array of events and exhibitions that range from fun to educational. Located at 1944 N Winery Ave, Fresno, CA 93703, USA1944 N Winery Ave, Fresno, CA 93703, USA and open 7 days a week this is the perfect afterschool or weekend activity. The Discovery Center’s hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum admission fees are Adults: $6.00 Children: $8.00, Seniors (65+): $5.00, Children 2 and Under are free. To learn more about the services and events offered at the Discovery center please click here or contact them at (559) 251-5533.

Fresno Art Museum offers exhibitions on contemporary and modern art and photography and ethnographic and cultural exhibitions which reflect and celebrate the diverse population of the San Joaquin Valley. The Museum is also home to a very large and impressive collection of Pre-Columbian artworks from Mexico and what is now modern-day Peru. Open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this is the perfect way to spend an afternoon with kids of all ages.The Fresno Art Museum is constantly offering special screenings of movies, rotating exhibits, and special activities for children of all ages, to find out more about special events please click here. The museum is located at 2233 North First Street Fresno, CA 93703 and can be contacted at 559.441.4221. Admission fees to the museum are Adults (ages 18 and up): $10, Youth (5-17): $7, and Children 4 and under: Free.

Storyland & Playland are two amusement parks that are located in Fresno, CA offering fun for all ages. At Storyland, fairytales come to life where you can follow the path through the Park and find Humpty Dumpty, “three little pigs,” Mother Goose, Alice in Wonderland, witches, pirates, a castle and much more. On The Willis B. Kyle Express Train you can take a ride through Storyland and Playland. In the Daniel R. Martin Children’s Theater you can enjoy a movie in the all year long, the outdoor Theater at Storyland. You can check their calendar of events to view upcoming shows and special seasonal performances, for more information click here. Located at 890 W. Belmont Ave. Fresno, CA 93728 and you can reach StoryLand at (559) 486-2124. Admissions fees are Children 4 to 11 are $4.00, Adults are $6.00, and Seniors are $5.00, Children under the age of 4 are free. Storyland and Playland are open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo offers a variety of exhibitions and attractions including Zoorassic Park, African Adventure, Sea Lion Cove, Central Valley Farm, and much more. To get a complete list of attractions and exhibitions please click here to visit their website. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo provides a fun, unique and up-close experience that strengthens the bond between people of all ages and wildlife from across the globe. The Zoo is open daily please click here for access to their 2020 calendar. Admission fees include, $14.95 for adults and $8.95 for children (ages 2-11). Children 1 and under get in free. The zoo is located at Fresno Chaffee Zoo 894 West Belmont Avenue, Fresno, California 93728 and can be reached at (559) 498-5910 if you have further questions.

Marin County

Agricultural Institute of Marin Farmers Market (AIM) is Located at Marin Civic Center on Thursdays and Sundays in San Rafael, CA 94903. The Marin Farmers Market is a great way to spend an afternoon. Sundays are aimed for families with activities including pony rides, a bouncy house, and lots of fun kids activities. AIM’s goal is to empower youth to make healthy food choices with market tours and FREE samples. You can educate your kid on where food comes from, how crops are grown, why farmers choose to farm and what’s in season. These are powerful tools for teaching good nutrition. Please click here for more information about vendors and events.

Angel Island Tiburon Ferry: Located at 21 Main Street Tiburon, CA 94920, the Angel Island State Park is a spectacular cultural and historic landmark, located only a short ferry ride away from beautiful Tiburon, California in Marin County. Park hours are 8:00am to sunset everyday and taking the Ferry from Tiburon to Angel Island is a great way to spend the afternoon. Call 415-435-2131 to find out more information or click here to access their website. Ferry prices include, for a roundtrip ticket, Adults (ages 13 -64) $15.00, Seniors (ages 65+) $14.00, Children (ages 6 – 12) $13.00, Small Children (ages 3 – 5) $5.00, Toddlers (ages 2 and under) Free. The Ferry departs everyday from Tiburon at 10:00 a.m. and the last Ferry from Tiburon departs at 4:00 p.m.

Kid-Friendly Hikes: Marin County is home to numerous state parks and local hikes. These are some kid-friendly hikes within the Marin County area. Please click here to access more hike information and park hours.

  • Chimney Rock, Point Reyes: This spot near the lighthouse in Point Reyes National Seashore boasts a dazzling array of wildflowers, amazing views of Drakes Bay and the Pacific Ocean, an overlook that gives visitors a look at a beach full of Northern Elephant Seals in the winter and spring, and even an historic Coast Guard lifeboat station down by the water. This is a great hike for children who love animals and searching for wildlife.
  • Fairway Waterfall, Novato: This hike is a short and easy path, known as the Fairway Waterfall or Buck Gulch Falls. The hike there is along the stream with lots of trees and cover. The 30-foot waterfall cascades over a cliff into a rocky pool below. It's a peaceful spot to take a break to prepare for the return hike and listen to the soothing sounds of splashing water.
  • Tennessee Valley Trail, Mill Valley: Tennessee Valley is an amazing offshoot of the Marin Headlands, with hiking trails that suit the whole family. The Tennessee Valley Trail is mostly level; it begins at the parking area and travels 1.7 miles to Tennessee Beach, making it an easy path for small children with great beach access.

Bolinas Museum is a great way to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and learn a bit more about the history of one of Marin Counties oldest towns. The museum hours are Friday 1 – 5 PM, Saturday & Sunday 12 – 5 PM & by appointment Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday. The museum is closed Mondays, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Admissions to the Bolinas Museum is always free and most of their programs and exhibitions are free as well. Please click here to learn more about events and exhibitions. The Bolinas Museum is located at 48 Wharf Road, Bolinas, CA 94924. The museum is on the main road in the heart of downtown Bolinas. The entrance is located through an iron gate to the side courtyard. Street parking is available, but can be challenging on busy summer weekends, so try to plan your timing accordingly.

San francisco county

Presidio YMCA Swimming

  • Rec Swim: Saturdays and Sundays from 1-6pm. Cost is free. Contact Amanda Ables at aables@ymcasf.org to learn more.
  • Teen and Youth Swim Lessons: Times vary. Cost is $10/class (SFCASA can cover this). Contact Kate Eaneman at keaneman@ymcasf.org to learn more.
  • TAY Swim Lessons: For transitional aged youth ages 18-21 to learn how to swim. This can lead to lifeguard training and employment in the future. Contact Kate Eaneman at keaneman@ymcasf.org to learn more.

Please view this document for instructions on how advocates may access these opportunities for their youth. Please complete the liability form available here (English, Spanish, Mandarin).

AcroSports - Special Needs Open Gym; AcroSports offers a fun filled week of jumping, bouncing, and clowning around while promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. Experienced in Circus Arts gives kids a chance to build strength, flexibility, and mind body awareness while also offering the understanding that skills are earned and success comes through an application effort. They will begin to host open sessions every Saturday for youth with special needs starting at $15 per session. Click here to visit their website.

San Francisco Botanical Gardens: Explore nature in the middle of the city at San Francisco Botanical Gardens. Located at 1199 9th Ave San Francisco, CA 94122 you can explore a variety of activities from guided walks and Children's Garden programs; the Garden is a vital resource for people in search of immersive educational experiences in the natural world. The garden is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., FREE to all SF residents daily. For non-residents it is FREE every Tuesday morning from 7:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Also, the gardens are FREE all day every second Tuesday of the month. The garden is located in the heart of Golden Gate Park which is the perfect place to bring a picnic, enjoy the sunshine, or take a walk. If you want to learn more about the SF Botanical Gardens please call at (415) 661-1316 or click here.

Randall Museum in San Francisco is one of the best places for city kids to learn about nature, science and art—it's also the only museum in San Francisco where they can do it for FREE! The Randall Museum is located at 199 Museum Way, San Francisco, CA 94114 and is open everyday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Sunday’s. The Randall Museum is free to everyone of all ages. They are always changing exhibits and new events to check out on their website, if you want to learn more click here or call the Randall Museum at (415) 554-9600.

San Francisco Zoo is an urban oasis nestled against the Pacific Ocean with a lot to see. There are over 2,000 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals and majestic, peaceful gardens full of native and foreign plants that will be interesting for all ages. Admissions to the Zoo is, adults are $22.00, Children age 4 to 14 are $16.00, and children under 3 free. Once a month the Zoo offers a free day for all SF residents please click here to learn more about the Zoo and when they offer free days as it changes every month. The SF Zoo is located at Sloat Blvd &, Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94132 and is open everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The California Academy of Sciences is fun for all ages and offers life-changing science and innovation to be explored in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. They have an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum and a powerful voice for biodiversity research and exploration, environmental education, and sustainability. The California Academy of Sciences is located at 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118. Their hours are Monday through Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The California Academy of Sciences provides free days to SF residents dependent on area code, please click here to find out more information about those dates. Admissions prices vary depending on the season but, typically it ranges from $30.00 to $35.00. If you have any other questions there phone number is (415) 379-8000.

The Exploratorium is located at Pier 15 and where you can go to see a tornado, turn upside down in a curved mirror, dance on a fog bridge, and explore more than 650 hands-on exhibits. You can find all of this at the Exploratorium plus unique programs, discussions, and events, a café and restaurant, two stores, and more fun for all ages. They even offer a free unticketed outdoor area with some great exhibits. It is definitely worth a visit! If you want to learn more about the exhibits that are being offered or other information about the Exploratorium please click here. General admissions tickets are $29.95 for Adults (18–64), $24.95 for youth (13-17), and for children $19.95 (3-12).

Helen Diller Civic Center Plaza Park is a new space located conveniently in downtown SF where kids can climb up to a treehouse, play on a spiraling play structure, swing on inverted semi circles and explore a little city of house climbing structures. Perfect for all ages and free to the public to enjoy. Located at 55 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102, and a cafe next door this is the perfect place to spend an afternoon outdoors. If you want more information on playground events please click here to visit the website.

The SFO Museum is open daily, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM and closed on holidays. The Aviation Museum and Library is located pre-security on the Departures Level of the International Terminal Main Hall. The Museum and Library is free to the public, there is no admission charge and no airline ticket is needed. The Aviation Museum provides unique opportunities for learning about the development of commercial aviation and the role it plays in our everyday lives. This is a great way to spend an afternoon in the city, especially if you live closer to South San Francisco. If you would like to find out more information about the SFO Museum please click here.

Cable Car Museum is located at 1201 Mason Street San Francisco, CA 94108, the Cable Car Museum is free everyday to the public. Come and learn about the history of the cable car and it’s importance in San Francisco. The museum is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November through March and admissions is always free. When you are done learning about the cable cars make sure to enjoy a ride on one through one of SF’s historic neighborhoods. If you want more information about the Cable Car Museum please click here or call (415) 474-1887.

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory offers an aroma of freshly made fortune cookies that will draw you into their factory. This factory has been supplying fortune cookies to Chinatown and around the world since 1962. Visit the factory to experience the fortune cookie production line, learn about the history of Chinatown, and most importantly taste freshly made fortune cookies. The factory is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to visitors. If you would like to find out more information about the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory please click here or call (415) 781-3956.

The Young Thespian’s Lab is a free program hosted by The San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Co. and the Mission Academy of the Arts @BRAVA for aspiring performers of middle and high school age intended to give students pre-professional experience in the performing arts. In the Original Audio Drama Workshop students will collectively write and perform in an original radio play over the course of 13 weeks. Students will encounter the fundamentals of scene study, dramatic writing, acting and voice over performance in a fun, holistic, team styled creative class. Students will discuss current events, complete writing and acting exercises and use what they learn in the process of generating, editing and performing their script. The program runs Monday and Wednesday evenings from 4:30- 6pm on Zoom.

San Joaquin county

YMCA of San Joaquin County offers a summer aquatic program based in Stockton that operates from May to September.

  • San Joaquin County YMCA Summer Aquatics Program: Offers swim lessons and open/free pool time. The swim lessons aim to create a safe environment where kids feel encouraged, confident, and excited to swim. Swim lessons are priced at $65 per lesson and span over the course of 2 weeks, with 8 lessons offered in total. (SFCASA can cover these expenses, check with your Case Supervisor!) If a CASA and child are just looking to swim for fun during a family day, the price is $2.00 per person Tuesday-Friday.
  • San Joaquin County YMCA Blue Dolphins Swim Team: Operates from May 1 - June 30 in Stockton. This swim team is for beginners as well as children who have aspirations to go to the Olympics. There is a one-time Swim Team fee of $165 and is open for children ages 7-18. Blue Dolphins Swim Team mandates that all children must pass the minimum swim ability requirements for their respective age group. Children aged 7-8 years old must swim 25 yards in a strong manner without stopping or touching the bottom or walls of the pool. Similarly, children aged 9-18 must swim 50 yards in a strong manner without stopping or touching the bottom or walls of the pool.

Boys & Girls Club of Manteca/ Lathrop (BGC) is designed and programmed to be physically and emotionally safe for children and teens (ages 6 years old in 1st grade to 18 years old in 12th grade) with the support and guidance of caring, trained and trustworthy staff. Some of the great programs offered are Health & Lifeskills, Education & Career, Character & Leadership, The Arts and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. For more information on hours of operations, fees and overall program guidelines, click here. There is a Membership Application and Volunteer Application for those interested in joining and volunteering! To visit or to Contact BGC: 545 W. Alameda Street Manteca, CA 95336, Mail: P.O. Box 1066, Phone: (209) 239-KIDS or Email: Executive Director - JMiller@bgmanteca.org.

Boys & Girl Club of Tracy inspires and enables young people to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. BGC of Tracy provides a safe place for learning and growth, ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, character development experiences, hope and opportunity. Membership costs $35.00 per year and hours of operations are from school dismissal - 6pm Monday through Friday; hours are extended for summer and school breaks! Programs offered are an Inclusion Program, Academic Success, Character & Leadership, Healthy Lifestyles and Youth Of The Year. Due to the club’s fruitful structure, you can find their many locations in Tracy by clicking here. For more detailed information about their programs, contact Boys & Girls Club of Tracy to (209) 832-CLUB (2582).

City of Stockton operates an aquatic program of three swimming pools for community use:

  • Brooking Park Pool (4505 Nugget Ave.)
  • Sousa Park Pool (2900 Yellowstone Ave.)
  • Oak Park Pool (3754 Alvarado Ave.) The pools are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Fees are $2 per person or $5 per family during family time.Click here for the 2019 Summer Pool Schedule and location details. 2020 Summer Pool Schedule to come!

Children’s Museum of Stockton is a non-profit children’s museum offering over 40 interactive exhibits. Their goal is to provide a safe, fun, educational experience for families within their community. Adults and children (1 year and over) are $6 and children under 1 are free. They are open Wednesday through Sunday, and you can click here for admission, hours, and their location. Their events calendar can be foundhere. They also have an Art Studio within the museum. A current list of their exhibits can be found here. To contact them, reach out through their form on their website or call them at (209) 465-4386.

Oak Park Ice Rink in Stockton offers a multitude of programs for ice skating, hockey, and curling. They offer programs for both youth and adults, including open skating sessions to the public. Fees for public skating are children 5 and under are free, ages 5-12 are $6, and 13 and up are $7. There is also an $8 skate rental fee. Mondays and Tuesdays are discount days and the fee is $8 for skate rental and admission. They offer 4 free lessons in ice skating or hockey for children under 10. For a full list of programs in ice skating, hockey, or curling, follow these links. To contact the ice rink call (209) 937-7433, email opia@asmstockton.com, or fill out the form found here.

San mateo county

CuriOdyssey Science Playground & Zoo offers a place for children and their families to experience the natural world and experiment with science. Through different education programs, wildlife viewing, and ways for kids to directly interact with science and nature, CuriOdyssey allows children to learn and have fun all at once. They offer both online and in person activities and educational programs. They are open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm with special First Friday Family Nights. More information on hours and admission prices can be found here. They offer entrance for $1 for those who meet the reduced price criteria which can be found here.

Santa clara county

Santa Clara City Library offers story hours, book clubs, puppeteers, music concerts, craft hours, movie screenings, bingo, cooking classes, game nights, presentations on popular subjects (e.g. wild animals, cartooning, sports) by experts and enthusiasts, family nights and more. There are activities for almost every age. Check out their monthly Kids Calendar and Teen Calendar for times and locations. They also offer volunteer opportunities for teens in 6th to 12th grade.

Girls Who Code at Santa Clara Library is a national non-profit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. Free after-school clubs are offered for girls in 6th-12th grade to explore coding in a fun and friendly environment. Click here for Girls Who Code direct website.

### Stanislaus County

Gallo Center Youth Academy (GCYA) is an extracurricular program located in Modesto and gives children the opportunity to explore acting, musical theatre, playwriting, singing, composition, and much more. GCYA offers children grades 1-8 the opportunity to be split up by age group and meet twice a week (depending on their age) to rehearse their performance. Each program spans the time from August to December or January to May. Tuition is $70 per month, but scholarships are available for students with financial needs. Contact Tiffany Davis at TDavis@galloarts.org or (209) 338-5022 for more questions or information.

Sunshine Rafting is the perfect way to cool off in Stanislaus County during a hot summer day. Located just 45 minutes outside of Modesto, this rafting company offers services from May to September. Their prices for both kayaks and river rafting can be found here. Children over the age of 5 can participate in river rafting, but only children over the age of 10 are allowed to participate in kayaking. Sunshine Rafting includes paddles, life jackets, shuttle rides to the rafts from the parking lot, free photos, dry boxes, and large and sturdy boats. It is recommended that families with children take the Orange Blossom to Oakdale rafting trip as it is a mellow, scenic float trip including small, beginner-friendly rapids and the trip ends at a commercial center with snow cones and pizza!

Nora Landis-Shack