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.

Business Genre
Long Business Description

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.
Business Phone Number
(844) 322-7483
Business Address
749 37th Avenue, Santa Cruz CA 95062
Business Name
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Business Name
Business Genre
Camp Campbell YMCA of the Redwoods
Long Business Description

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.

https://www.ymcasv.org/camp-campbell

Camp Capitola
Business Name
Business Genre
Long Business Description

Camp Capitola is now available to 4 & 5 year old Lil' Campers.

Camp Capitola, is a summer day camp serving youth ages 4-14. It is held at Jade Street Park and uses the outdoor environment and the Capitola Community Center. Camp Capitola offers a variety of activities including outdoor games, sports, arts and crafts, drama productions, and beach mornings. Your child must be 4 years old before the program starts.

Classic Camp (4-12yrs): Classic Camp Activities: Group Challenges, dodge ball, scavenger hunts, relay races, recreational sports, Art and Craft Projects, Beach Day, movies, and ice cream at the end of every session. Half day and all day options available.

Around Town Camp (11-14yrs): This is only offered 3 times during the summer with limited space. We will be exploring the local activities around town. More details to come. All day option only

https://www.cityofcapitola.org/recreation/page/camp-capitola

Business Name
Business Genre
Business Name
Long Business Description

camp-harmon-logoCamp Harmon continues to be a magical place, offering camping opportunities to hundreds of people with disabilities, thanks to the donations of many generous supporters. Camp Harmon is accredited by the American Camp Association and serves campers ages 8 to 65. Each session is designed for a specific age group and for individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities. The camper to counselor ratio for Camp Harmon is 3 campers per 1 counselor, and campers live in cabin groups that typically consist of six campers and two staff.

16403 Highway 9, Boulder Creek 95006  ~  https://www.campharmon.org/  ~  831-684-2380

Camp Kesem UCSC
Business Name
Business Genre
Long Business Description

camp-kesem-logoA child's friend through and beyond a parent's cancer

Camp Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parent's cancer.

We serve children who have lost a parent to cancer, have a parent undergoing cancer treatment, or whose parent is a cancer survivor – an estimated population of over 5 million children in the United States. Camp Kesem runs over 100 weeks of fun, action-packed and 100% free-of-charge camps from coast-to-coast every summer. Serving children ages 6 to 18, our campers experience a warm and loving environment with other children who have similar life experiences. This community provides the foundation for confidence building, improved communication skills, enhanced life outlook and attitude.

Not currently active at UCSC.

https://www.campkesem.org/  ~  831-204-0217  ~  UCSC, Santa Cruz

Business Name
Business Genre
Business Name
Long Business Description

camp-krem-camping-unlimited-logoWe happily serve individuals with an extremely wide range of developmental and intellectual disabilities, including campers with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, Williams Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Fragile-X, Tourette Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, vision and hearing impairment etc.
We welcome children aged 5 years and older, and adults of any age. There is no upper age limit.

We are sad to report that we are not currently running in-person programs, due to the wildfire damage that Camp Krem sustained.

In the meantime, we are offering Virtual Camp programs, to provide our campers with fun and engagement while we cannot gather in person! To see our Virtual Camp schedule, click here.

Please stay tuned for more information about Summer Camp at our new property, Camp Krem Pacifica, in Ahwahnee.

We will continue to rebuild. We have no intention of abandoning the rebuild in Boulder Creek, and will continue to work hard to get it back up and running. We have acknowledged that this rebuild could take years, and there is a long road ahead. We do not want our campers and their families to have to wait that long, so this new Camp in Ahwahnee has come at a perfect time.

The future for our organization looks bright, as this means that someday, we may have two programs operating simultaneously.

https://campingunlimited.org/ 

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Business Genre
Business Name
Business Genre
Boating at CampU
Business Name
Long Business Description

Camp Unalayee has been taking kids on outdoor adventures since 1949. Located in Northern California’s Trinity Alps, we are a non-profit, wilderness summer camp that provides meaningful outdoor experiences for children ages 10-17. Whether boating, backpacking, making crafts or learning leadership skills, campers learn how to safely enjoy a remarkably beautiful wilderness setting.

As a non-profit, Unalayee takes great pride in welcoming children from all walks of life. CampU provides financial assistance to many of its campers, allowing kids from all income levels to have a wilderness summer camp experience. Our program actively teaches campers confidence, compassion, community and conservation.

As a wilderness summer camp, Unalayee is proud to have introduced thousands of kids to backcountry living while maintaining an impeccable safety record. Kids in our summer camp programs learn about themselves as they learn to live in the wilderness. The rugged terrain of the Trinity Alps provides a challenging and dramatic backdrop for outdoor adventure.

2025 Session Dates:

  • 1st Session - June 28th - July 12th
  • 2nd Session - July 16th - July 30th
  • 3rd Session - August 3rd - August 12th
  • Family Camp - August 14th - August 18th

Camp Unalayee empowers youth from all backgrounds to discover the wonder of nature, the comfort of community, and the depth of their own inner strength.

Our core programs are overnight summer camps for youth ages 10-17 and we also provide a Family Program for all ages. Leadership training and extended wilderness backpacking programs are available as part of our core camp programs.

Business Website Address
Business Phone Number
650-969-6313
Campus Kids Connection Camp
Long Business Description

Campus Kids Connection, Inc. is excited to offer summer camp again this year. We offer a full day licensed program that will be held at Main Street Elementary, 3400 Main St, Soquel.

Summer camp is open to children who have completed kindergarten through completion of fifth grade. We will have three sessions throughout the summer. This year, our summer camp will include all on-site activities including sports, arts & crafts, science, games, outdoor activities, and opportunities for your child to have fun and make friends.  Our camp includes 2 snacks daily (please bring lunch from home).

Business Name
Business Genre
City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services
Long Business Description

City of Watsonville's Parks and Community Services Department offers a wide range of health and wellness opportunities for the entire community. Get started on our website, where you can find information about:

  • Seasonal Day Camps
  • Police Activities League opportunities & Youth Center Access for a $15/yr. membership
  • Sports Programs for All Ages
  • Swim Lessons & Recreation Swim
  • FREE Environmental Science Workshop Programs & Locations
  • SPECIAL EVENTS
  • Enrichment Classes
  • Senior Center Offerings
  • After School Programs
  • Parks & Trails
  • Facility Rentals
  • Volunteer Opportunities

https://www.cityofwatsonville.org/595/Parks-Community-Services - 831.768.3240

231 Union St., Watsonville,  768-3240,  pcs@cityofwatsonville.org

 

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