Directory of Local Resources for Families in Santa Cruz County
Since 2007 Santa Cruz Parent has provided a directory of businesses and nonprofits which serve families in Santa Cruz County. We hope you will find what you’re looking for here. If you know of a program or service not listed with us and which would benefit families, please let us know: info@santacruzparent.com.
Athena's Advanced Academy
Athena’s Advanced Academy creates an inspiring learning environment with dynamic, interactive online courses with live weekly webinars for gifted and talented students, including 2e.
We help parents educate their gifted children so they can nurture their child’s development to the highest potential. Dedicated, passionate educators support and encourage Athena’s students to develop their talents and grow into confident, proficient lifelong learners.
Family Camp is an opportunity to connect with your loved ones on a spectacular mountain ranch filled with natural wonders and exciting new experiences.
Picture this… your whole family on a beautiful mountain ranch for a fun-filled week of horseback riding, pig slopping, egg gathering, art making, taffy pulling, square dancing, and kicking back on the beach next to our river. Leave your cell phone at home, it won’t work here anyway, and leave the cooking (and cleaning) to us while you and your kids enjoy meals prepared with food that is grown or raised on the Ranch.
Want to join us? See our Dates & Rates page for more information or enroll for Family Camp.
We have tons of summer camp activities for you to enjoy at the ranch, you can take a trail ride with your family, help press apples into cider, learn to weld in our metal shop, and so much more. Our experienced summer camp counselors lead a variety of activities each morning, including childcare activities for kids ages 2-7. You are welcome to participate in any activities offered, explore the ranch on your own, or just relax with your family and friends.
There are many wonderful benefits of living and camping on a remote mountain ranch, surrounded by forests, streams, blue skies, and bright sunshine… but cell phone coverage and lightning-fast internet are not among them! There is no cell phone service or guest wi-fi available here on the ranch, and we invite you to disconnect for your week at family camp.
Basketball Jones Hoop Camps | est. 1996
"ENERGY & ENTHUSIASM!" | Basketball Jones Hoop Camps supports the mission of the LIVE LIKE GENO FOUNDATION, a nonprofit organization that inspires Passion, Purpose and Positivity into the lives of community youth.
Established in 1996, Basketball Jones remains the trusted source for the powerful and uplifting Summer Camp experience for all local kids at any skill level, ages 6-15.
Are you Looped on Hoop?! 831-587-0238 ~ http://www.basketballjonescamps.com
Aptos, June 20-24, Aptos High School
Santa Cruz, July 18-22, Branciforte (B-40) Middle School
Be Natural Music is a music school offering private music lessons (guitar, piano, bass, drums, voice & sax), band classes for kids who know how to play their instrument, concert performances, professional song recording & mastering, and summer music camps where kids compose music in a group & and make a music video!
All of our private lessons & band classes are year-round. Please check out our website for a full explanation of our music school.
https://www.benaturalmusic.live/ - (831) 515-8369 - info@benaturalmusic.live
Be Natural Music is a Jazz and Rock music school program in Santa Cruz and Cupertino, California, established 1998.
Black Oak Wilderness Camps
Relationship with nature grows stronger when it's fostered and encouraged from a younger age. Young explorers will spend their days with instructors who will encourage free exploration as well as guide students through developing that relationship. Kids will hike, garden, learn about plants, make crafts, play nature games, get dirty, have fun, and learn a lot. They will learn especially about reciprocity with nature, planting the initial seeds that will grow into a more ecologically aware generation.
They will share our 90 acre property with groups of different ages and activities to get them excited to learn more. They can watch archery, blacksmithing, survival skills, and advanced crafting. Sign In/Drop Off occurs each day.
Day Camps K - 11
Overnight Camps 6 - 12
Boulder Creek Camps
Each week your camper will have daily access to our pool, creek walks, outdoor sports, painting music and dance, crafting projects and snacks!
Seven weeks June 13 through the week of Aug. 1
$200/week or $100 for all seven weeks
8am – 5pm, ages 7 – 12
https://www.bcrpd.org/kids-classes
Info and Registration coming soon!
Brite Horizons School - 1-12
The mission of Brite Horizons School is to provide students with individualized educational services to address each student’s unique strengths and deficits in a manner that allows the student to be successful daily and reach their overall full potential. Through the use of scientifically proven methods, students are provided with tools to make meaningful progress and valuable connections with others. The Brite Horizons School strives to provide each student with a supportive community and the skills necessary to successfully transition into a public school setting.
OUR SCHOOL
The Brite Horizons School is a nonpublic school (NPS) located in Scotts Valley, California serving grades 1 to 12. Students are provided with ongoing assessment, educational services, and behavioral intervention based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). The Brite Horizons School provides an individualized and comprehensive educational placement for students with a variety of specialized needs.
THE DIFFERENCE
- Brite Horizons School is a nonpublic school (NPS) that was developed by the directors of The ABRITE Organization.
- Brite Horizons serves students grades 1-12 with a variety of specialized needs.
- Brite Horizons is designed for students who are in need of a more restrictive placement such that the student's educational and/or behavioral goals cannot be adequately addressed and met in a public education setting.
- Brite Horizons School provides students with the skills and necessary supports to return to the public school setting.
- Brite Horizons serves students who qualify for special education services under a number of different categories including but not limited to autism, intellectual disability, and social-emotional disorders.
- Students receive highly individualized academic instruction while receiving intervention designed to treat their behavioral needs.
- Brite Horizons School model involves a concentrated focus on strengthening communication, safety, social, executive functioning, and school/community readiness skills.
- Brite Horizons School has an extensive and collaborative team including certified special education teachers and behavioral support staff and offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling services.
Day Camp - Summer means lots of time in the great outdoors, making memories with friends old and new, learning and trying new things, and having a blast at camp! Day camp offers your child adventures, outdoor exploration, and the chance to make friends while developing new skills. Campers exercise their independence and decision-making skills while learning caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Family Camp - Family Camp weekends remove distractions and allow families the freedom to focus solely on one another. Families get to know each other outside of homework, after school activities, technology, and day to day business. Bring your family closer together through outdoor fun and teamwork. Enjoy cabin accommodations and a variety of activities in the heart of the redwoods – an ideal way to foster connections in a safe, beautiful and supportive environment. Families of all forms are welcome at the Y, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-families, single parents, LGBTQ+ families and more.
Overnight Camp - Overnight Camp is full of traditional outdoor activities like campfires, hikes, skits and the chance to sleep under the stars. Campers disconnect from technology and distractions of outside life, offering an unforgettable positive experience. Here at camp, our number one priority is providing a safe, positive camper experience. We believe that campers are most successful when given the opportunity to push themselves out of their comfort zones and discover in themselves resiliency, responsibility and confidence.
