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.
Life Lab's Semillas to Sunflowers Camps
5 Week-long sessions July 1 - August 2
This free program is open for families with kids that go to one of the Elementary Schools in PVUSD and are entering 3rd, 4th or 5th grade during the 2024-2025 school year.
Semillas to Sunflowers is LifeLab's Summer Camp
Please fill out one application per child. If accepted, we will let you know within 2-3 weeks of your application which week-long Session you are awarded. Apply here.
Semillas to Sunflowers takes place at the Life Lab Blooming Classroom, located off of San Andreas Road near Watsonville.The program takes place at 198 Zils Road Watsonville.
Program: 8am to 2pm
Child Drop-off at site: 8:30am
Optional additional enrichment activities: 2:30-4pm and 4pm-5:30pm.
Provided: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch
Sample Activities: Bird day – engineer bird beaks; Harvest fruits and vegetables to make snacks; Garden gifts day – use a solar oven to make pesto bread; Art in the garden – make nature art; Visit the UCSC Campus and meet college students;
For More Information: https://www.lifelab.org/semillas ~ Call: 831-200-3703 ~ Email: semillas@lifelab.org
Adventure Sports Unlimited (ASU) is an aquatics center that teaches people the fun to play in water. We bring people together, teach them to the best of their abilities, outfit them with gear to fit their potential, arrange adventures to use their new skills, and eat well. It seems only appropriate that when you have a bunch of adventure enthusiasts together at an exotic aquatic environment, after a day of SCUBA diving, that a bit of seafood foraging will result in a wonderful gourmet meal to toast the day.
https://www.asudoit.com/ 831.458.3648 303 Potrero St., Santa Cruz info@asudoit.com
Magic for ALL Ages!
Andar will amaze you and your guests, family and friends with awesome feats of magic and professional illusions. Andar lives in Santa Cruz and he is available for all types of events throughout the Bay Area.
Andar's fast paced, dynamic, high energy show is guaranteed to be fun and exciting. His magical skills will astound you and keep you guessing.
Andar has been performing magic since 2001. He was Vice President of The Coastal Magicians Club of Santa Cruz County, and member of The Society of American Magicians.
"I create incredible magic, enchanting tales and fun times. My magic shows are about more than just keeping kids entertained. Instead, I'll work with you to host a live magic show for an incredible party, or event that children and parents will look back on with happy memories for the rest of their lives. The entertainment is suitable for everyone to enjoy."
http://www.MagicAndar.com ~ 831-295-4816 ~ andarthesorcerer@gmail.com
Aptos Women's Leads Club
Business networking and support for local small businesswomen
The Aptos Women's Leads Club is for women in Santa Cruz County who want to build a strong network and quality referral base to expand their business. Our mission is to share and expand our sphere of influence to strategically build our business in the community.
We are a group of women women entrepreneurs who care about each other and our community. We meet at noon every Thursday online.
https://www.leadsclub.com ~ 831-332-0864 ~ tina@tinamcrorie.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.
Our mission is to empower caregivers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to support their child’s growth using best practices in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). We focus on building skills in communication, play, social interactions, daily living, behavior reduction, and age-appropriate independence through strategies that fit naturally into family routines. Collaboration is at the heart of our approach, we work together with caregivers, educators, and other providers to create a supportive team around each individual.
Caregiver Led Intervention: Empowering caregivers with the skills and confidence to support their child’s growth through guided, evidence-based collaboration.This collaborative approach is built around each child’s strengths and interests, making learning engaging and natural. Caregivers develop practical skills for encouraging communication, supporting social interactions, managing challenges, and creating positive routines that fit their family’s lifestyle.
Caregiver Support: With BCBA support, caregivers gain confidence and practical tools to encourage communication, build positive routines, and help their child succeed in daily life.We empower caregivers with the skills and confidence to support their child’s growth using practical ABA strategies that fit naturally into family life-building lasting progress through teamwork & care. Whether you are looking for practical strategies to handle challenges, encourage positive skills, or create smoother daily routines, we are here to support.
Book a free 15 minute consultation to learn more: Contact us!
(831) 704-6764 --- info@aconsultingpartners.com --- https://autismconsultingpartners.com/
At Autism Consulting Partnership (ACP), we provide compassionate, family-centered behavior therapy tailored to the individual needs of children and young adults. We’re here to support your family, whether your child is building social and emotional skills, facing behavioral challenges, improving communication, or you’re simply looking for guidance and encouragement, we’re here to help you along the journey.
Our approach is warm, practical, and personalized. We meet families where they are, offering strategies that feel natural in daily life and align with your family’s values. With guidance from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), you’ll gain tools and confidence to support your child’s growth at home and beyond. Together, we can determine whether caregiver-led services or caregiver support services are the right fit for your child and family.
We provide in-person services to families in Santa Cruz, along with online support throughout California, making our care accessible no matter where you live.
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
"POWERFUL and UPLIFTING!" ~ "ENERGY & ENTHUSIASM!"
"Established in 1996, Basketball Jones is a powerful and uplifting Summer Camp experience for kids, ages 6-15.
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.
CO-ED CAMPS
APTOS: JUNE 10-14 | 8-4PM
SANTA CRUZ: JULY 15-19 | 8-4PM
ALL-GIRLS CAMPS
SANTA CRUZ: JULY 29-AUGUST 2 | 8-4PM"
Are you Looped on Hoop?! 831-587-0238 ~ http://www.basketballjonescamps.com
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 in 1998.
Be Natural Music is a Jazz and Rock music school program in Santa Cruz and Cupertino, California, established 1988.
Directed by Matthew Pinck, AKA "yoga Matt" on stage, our school offers private lessons for numerous instruments, Real Rock and Jazz Band classes, workshops, concert performances, and music camps.
At Be Natural Music Summer Camp, kids and teens join a band, compose original music, script music videos, and at the end, record their song in a professional recording studio! We produce the final music video in high quality and display it on our YouTube channel for everyone to enjoy!
If your child has ever dreamed of performing their original music on stage or starring in their very own music video, check out our summer camps in June and July to turn that dream into a reality.
Two one week sessions in June and July.
http://www.benaturalmusic.live ~ 831-515-8369 ~ info@benaturalmusic.live
Beyond Behavior Therapy is a family-centered ABA practice based in Santa Cruz, offering personalized support for children and young adults (ages 3–22) who may struggle with relationships, emotional regulation, or everyday independence. Led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), we specialize in developing social, emotional, and executive functioning skills through compassionate, evidence-based care.
Whether your child is neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or simply needs more individualized support, we create flexible, meaningful plans that fit your family’s values and goals.
Services are available both in-person and via Telehealth, making support accessible no matter your location in California. We also offer caregiver training, school consultations, and social skills groups to promote growth across all settings.
Want to learn more or schedule a free consultation?
Visit www.beyondbehaviorca.com. ~ 952-457-3963 ~ kellie@beyondbehaviorca.com ~ 220 Owen St, Santa Cruz, CA
Beyond Behavior Therapy provides compassionate, BCBA-led support for children and young adults (ages 3–22) who need help with social, emotional, and functional skills. We offer in-person and Telehealth ABA services for families in Santa Cruz and across California.
95062
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
Local author Suki Wessling writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults.
Her books are available online at https://sukiwessling.com.
Books
831-818-5585
Info and Registration coming soon!
