Summer Programs 2025

Community Resources for Youth

Summer Camps & Activities 2025

SFCASA will fund the costs of any summer camp or activities regardless of location for youth matched with a CASA. Please be in touch with your Case Supervisor to request reimbursement for the cost of camp.

SOAR FOR YOUTH for Rising 7th-9th Graders

JULY 6 - 12, 2025

Please help your 6th - 8th grade student apply for SOAR! For all SF foster youth, even if they live outside of the county, the SOAR (Support, Opportunities And Rapport) program is an amazing summer opportunity that can lead to important educational progress, year round community connections and college preparedness. SOAR starts with a one week sleep-away camp on the UC Berkeley campus focused on academic and life-skills support and growth. If you support a young person in 6-8th grade, SFCASA strongly encourages you to support them to apply to SOAR!

Once admitted into the program, each SOAR youth receives 5-10 years of sustained support. 93% of SOAR high school seniors graduated on time and 92% of those graduates went on to college, 38% to a 4-year college. This one-week pre-collegiate academy will take place from Sunday, June 25th to Saturday, July 1st on the University of California, Berkeley campus. The application packet for the Prepare To SOAR academy can be downloaded from UC Berkeley's website HERE,

Applicants must be foster youth currently in grades 6-8 (beginning grades 7-9 in Fall 2025), with an academic GPA over a C average. For Application Inquiries, please send an email to applications@soarforyouth.org

camp mendocino

An outdoor education and environmental awareness summer camp that is hugely popular with kids served by SFCASA. Owned and operated by Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco.

sfcasa & brady riding horse camp

July 14-18, 11:00a - 3:00p, ages 8 - 12y

July 28 - Aug 1, 11:00a - 3:00p, ages 13y +

In the expert care of Brady Riding staff, youth will make friends with gentle rescue horses through grooming, leading and riding. Lunch will be provided each day.

To sign-up email: programassistant@sfcasa.org

High School internships & academic opportunities

SF Foster Youth are eligible for more SF-based internships even if they live outside the county.

APRI Youth Workshops Schedule a 1 on 1 appointment for additional help with job referrals, resume building, internship finding, skills building, and more.

City Youth Now paid internships. This program provides the opportunity for youth to gain their first work experience while growing in professional development. Youth interns are paid an hourly wage throughout their internship while learning how to navigate the workplace. Prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, we would place youth at worksites throughout the community to earn their work experience. Currently, our internship program is running virtually with youth working safely from home and participating in professional development opportunities.

Girl Ventures This course is designed specifically for Female, Transgender and Gender Nonconforming youth who are Queer identified and their Allies in 9th-12th grades. This is an intentional affinity course for Queer identified youth to create a space where youth don’t have to hide or pretend to be something other than themselves, for optimal magical growth. The group spends 5 days and 4 nights kayaking and camping on Tomales Bay. Transportation and food is provided.

Foodwise Teens is a paid summer opportunity for SFUSD rising 8th grade and up students where students will engage with new ideas about food, food preparation and food justice. Meetings will be held virtally on Monday and Wednesday afternoons 2-4 from June 7th through June 30th. Participants will earn a $250 stipend as well as fresh produce and cooking supplies.

SF YouthWorks SF YouthWorks provides paid job readiness workshops and training and internships at different SF City Departments such as the Public Utilities Commission, the Public Library, and the SF International Airport.

SF Mayor's Youth Employment & Education Program MYEEP provides San Francisco youth with paid work opportunities, academic support, and tools they’ll need to succeed in the workplace. MYEEP also gives youth a chance to build relationships with other members of their neighborhood communities.

SF Bay Area Summer Camps & Activities

Comprehensive San Francisco Summer Camp Guide

SF Shakespeare Camps Campers study Shakespeare's theatre in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Professional theatre practitioners lead interactive classes in Shakespeare's poetry, clowning traditions, and stage combat. The camp culminates in an abridged Shakespeare play for family and friends on the final day at 2pm. Experience not required to get into the act and have fun with your friends this summer!

San Francisco Skate Club San Francisco Skate Club was created when long-time skateboarder, Shawn Connolly and educator, Thuy Nguyen realized the need for a positive skateboarding program for youth. SFSC are offering 4 sessions that will run 2 weeks where we continue to share the art of skateboarding with youth ages 8 - 14.

LGBTQ+ Summer Camps with Maven Youth: a transformative experience where tech education meets career exploration. From imagination to innovation, we’re helping LGBT+ youth build leadership skills and prepare for a bright future in the tech world.

AIM High Summer Camps: designed for current 5th – 8th middle school students who have limited access to summer enrichment. Our no-cost summer program ignites a love of learning and prepares students for success in middle school, high school, and beyond.

Alameda County

East Bay Regional Park Camps offers many fun outdoor day camps for children, including:

The Regional Parks Foundation provides financial aid ("Camperships") to qualifying families of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Application [here][14].

East Bay SPCA Summer Animal Camp in Dublin and Oakland allows youth to interact directly with animals and also do hands-on activities and crafts. The camp runs from June through August and is for youth in grades 1st through 8th. Financial aid is available to those who qualify (financial aid applications are due 5/27).

Reel Stories offers a hybrid virtual and in-person program (in June and July) to provide female and non-binary youth the film-making skills they need to enter the film and media industry. Financial aid is available. Please contact their Program Manager at alexandria@reel-stories.com.

Contra Costa County

The City of Richmond, CA offers various summer camps and activities for youth, including Aquatics, Outdoor Activities, Early Recreation programs.

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.

Contra Costa Summer Camp Guide. Complied by Contra Costa Super Moms.

Concord Parks & Recreation offers many in-person camp options for all ages.

San Francisco County

Brady Horse Riding Lessons Located at the SF Zoo, weekly horse riding lessons to bring strength and healing to children who have experienced trauma through the love and care of horses. Volunteer opportunities for high school age students.

Comprehensive San Francisco Summer Camp Guide

Youth Art Exchange Summer Camps: for Kids Ages 7–12 Youth Art Exchange’s Summer Programs are designed to inspire creativity, build confidence, and provide a safe space for kids to explore their talents while making new friends.

Held at Balboa Park (2330 San Jose Avenue, San Francisco), our programs combine hands-on activities with outdoor fun, giving kids a chance to develop their skills and imagination in a vibrant, supportive environment.

Boys and Girls Club: Camp Mendocino Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco has been providing this creative, fun, and supportive camping experience for youth ages seven to 17. We surround our kids with positive role models 24 hours a day to provide the love and encouragement they need to realize their full potential Scholarships may be available.

San Francisco YMCA Summer Camps A variety of summer camps and outdoor programs

Camp Winnarainbow is a circus and performing arts sleep-away camp in Laytonville, CA. Youth ages 7-17 can attend, and there are scholarships available. The deadline to apply is 6/1.

Marin Shakespeare Company Summer Camp makes Shakespeare fun for kids 5 and up! Camps will be limited to 12 campers and other modifications to maintain health and safety.

San Joaquin County

City of Lodi Parks and Recreation offers summer day camp programs