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.

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
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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

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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
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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

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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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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).

Champ Camp Great Outdoors
Long Business Description

Join us at Champ Camp Great Outdoors, a whole new immersive summer experience. We’re elevating day camp to Champion status. Picture a mix of explorations in nature with brainy STEM challenges, fabulous field trips, and games galore! Campers will nurture friendships and unlock hidden talents and even surprise themselves with newfound skills. Get ready—this is where summer magic unfolds. Here are some example of our on-site activities:

  • State-of-the-Art Sports
    Play football at Mustang Stadium or kick it on the incredible soccer fields.
  • Make a Splash
    Swim and splash around with friends in a cool, refreshing pool.
  • Outdoor Adventures
    Explore the nature trails, perfect for scenic hikes,  that connect to the ponds and school facilities.
  • Natural Beauty
    Enjoy the majestic views at four ponds located right on the school grounds.
  • Unique Access
    Study and research the water to learn more about the ponds and the wildlife there.

And what would camp be without field trips?

You don’t even have to know! With so many local options to choose from, campers get to switch it up on the regular.
small star Rockwall climbing 
small star Aquatic center  
small star Museum 
small star Zoo 
small star Botanical gardens 
 
Located on the beautiful campus of Monte Vista Christian School, 2 School Way, Watsonville, CA 95076
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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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Community Music School of Santa Cruz
Long Business Description

Community Music School hosts workshops, concerts, and summer camps for musicians ages seven and up; maintains a free database of local music teachers; places donated musical instruments with people or organizations who need them; and publishes a free monthly e-newsletter that lists upcoming concerts and music-related events.

Each summer, Community Music School hosts Celtic music camps for musicians of all ages. Our camps are staffed by teachers and teaching assistants (TAs) specializing in traditional folk music from the Celtic diaspora and beyond. Each camp ends with a concert open to family and friends.

Our Teen Camp is a week-long overnight camp that takes place every June at Monte Toyon in Aptos. This unique residential program places teenage musicians (ages 12-18) in a beautiful outdoor setting with great instructors. Teens learn to play Celtic folk music, but more importantly, they spend a week with other teen musicians in a supportive environment, and with a strong sense of community. Students practice and perform in instrument-specific groups, in small bands, and with the entire camp. Other activities include vocal training, Scottish dance, movie night, a barn dance, crafts, a talent show, and lots of jamming!

Our Kid Camp is a two-week day camp that starts in mid-July, and takes place at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Scotts Valley. Children learn to play Celtic folk music in a small and supportive environment. They also learn to make their own bamboo flute, and have plenty of play time! Students practice and perform in instrument-specific groups, and with the entire camp. 

All of our camps are for players of fiddle, flute, penny whistle, recorder, clarinet, harp, autoharp, guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, accordion, keyboards, percussion, Irish tenor banjo, and cello. Campers should be proficient on one of these instruments, with a suggested minimum training time of two years. 

https://www.communitymusicschool.org/  ~  831-471-5184  ~  info@communitymusicschool.org  ~  P.O. Box 531, Santa Cruz, CA 95061

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