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.
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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
Pumpkin Patch and working farm. Locally-owned family run farm. Selling a variety of pumpkins and gourds.
Come out and enjoy a day of fun with your family. In our inaugural year, we'll have:
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A variety of locally grown and sourced pumpkins and gourds
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Fun games like boche ball, cornhole, and horse shoes
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Picnic tables to enjoy a beautiful day at the farm with your family
https://www.corralitoshillsfarm.com ~ 3240 Freedom Boulevard, Corralitos, CA 95076 https://www.corralitoshillsfarm.com/pumpkin-patch
https://www.corralitoshillsfarm.com/pumpkin-patch
Critter Camp
Campers at Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Camp meet guest speakers from animal welfare professions and get to know a wide variety of animals. There are behind the scenes shelter tours and animal-themed arts and crafts projects, including art that helps showcase pets waiting to be adopted. Through engaging activities, children learn about being responsible stewards, both for animals and the world around them. SCCAS’ summer camp fosters understanding, respect and empathy toward all living beings.
All proceeds from this program benefit our county’s only Open Admission Shelter, serving animals in need in our community. Please contact Erika Smart erika.smart@santacruzcounty.us (831) 454-7229 with any questions!
Summer Critter Camp 2022 will be held at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter located at 1001 Rodriguez St. This camp is designed for students between the ages of 7-11 years old. Camp will be held from 9am-1pm on scheduled dates. Summer Camp 2022 is sponsored by New Leaf Community Markets and they will provide vegetarian lunches everyday for the camp students!
There are two full weeks of camp, one partial week of camp, and three day camp opportunities!
Week #1 Camp: May 31st-June 3rd (Short week camp due to holiday) $300 per student. FULL
Day Camp #1: June 6th $75 per student *please only sign up for one day camp*
Day Camp #2: June 7th $75 per student *please only sign up for one day camp*
Day Camp #3: June 8th $75 per student *please only sign up for one day camp*
Week #2 Camp: July 18-22 $375 per student FULL
Week #3 Camp: July 25-29 $375 per student FULL
All scholarships have been filled. Thank you!
If you have any questions about camp registration, please contact Erika Smart at erika.smart@santacruzcounty.us
Campers meet guest speakers from animal welfare professions and get to know a wide variety of animals. There are behind the scenes shelter tours and animal-themed arts and crafts projects, including art that helps showcase pets waiting to be adopted. Through engaging activities, children learn about being responsible stewards, both for animals and the world around them. SCCAS’ summer camp fosters understanding, respect and empathy toward all living beings.
All proceeds from this program benefit our county’s only Open Admission Shelter, serving animals in need in our community. Please contact Erika Smart erika.smart@santacruzcounty.us (831) 454-7229 with any questions!
A maker’s space and art supply retailer that hosts art and craft workshops, private and public art events.
Our mission: To provide an art space where everyone of all ages and abilities can create art; whether you want a step-by-step project, or you want to create from your imagination, we’ve got tools, knowledge, and enthusiasm!
Hours: Thursday-Saturday 12-5 and Sunday 12-4
https://crookedbeautyart.com/ ~ 6225 Highway 9, Felton, CA. 95018 (831) 704-7945 crookedbeautyart@gmail.com
CYT Musical Theater Day Camp
CYT Santa Cruz "Summer Cabaret" summer camps are a week-long musical theater day camp for students ages 4-18, and are offered July 5-9 in Scotts Valley and July 12-16 in Aptos. Camps are designed to create a hands-on theater experience, and are focused on building performance skills, self-confidence, and teamwork.
Our camps include rotations through drama, dance, and music, team activities like water day and a petting farm, a daily theme-related devotional, and an impressive concluding Cabaret Performance for an audience at our outdoor stage. There’s no better place for kids to learn about theater and have fun than in CYT’s positive and encouraging atmosphere - and every camper gets the opportunity to perform on stage!
Delta Charter High School has about 25 openings for the 22-23 school year and we have been fielding an unusual number of enrollment meeting requests for this early in the year.
Located on the Cabrillo campus, Delta is a small school that focuses on building strong relationships in order to serve a wide variety of students - those who need more 1:1 support as well as students who want to accelerate their learning with Cabrillo classes. We require fewer credits to graduate, which can be beneficial to those who've gotten behind or who want to spend the end of their senior year transitioning to college. Our 15:1 student-teacher ratio ensures that your student won't get lost in the shuffle and allows us to provide individualized education to all.
If you have questions or would like to schedule an enrollment meeting, please contact principal Jen Ra'anan.
jraanan@deltaschool.org ~ 831-477-5213 ~ http://www.deltaschool.org/
Family Camp at Yosemite is an all-inclusive camp where you can fish, hike, swim, take part in organized programs, or relax.
Camp is open to anyone who loves camping. Camp is near Yosemite National Park, east of Groveland, California. It's a great experience the whole family will enjoy, so join us this summer and reserve your tent today!
Camp provides three meals a day to campers, along with a variety of activities. There are 65 wood-framed canvas tents, some with electricity and ADA access. Each tent cabin can sleep up to six people and has cots with mattresses. Private groups are welcome to rent out the entire camp before and after the summer season.
Family Camp at Yosemite 2022 Season
408 535-3500 11401 Cherry Lake Road, Groveland, CA 95321, (209) 962-7277
Come explore what we’re all about!
THEME WEEKS ARE BACK!
We are very excited to bring back Theme Weeks in Summer 2022! These programs are an important part of Feather River's’s culture and history, and offer special activities each week in addition to all of our regular (and beloved) family camp offerings.
The following Theme Weeks are scheduled for Summer 2022. While these themes and dates are confirmed, please note that specific theme-related activities and guest artists/experts are to be announced and subject to change.
- Science, Space, & Sky Week (June 12-18): Come explore the amazing geological features, wildlife, towering trees and amazing night sky of the Sierra with our Scientists-in-Residence. Ecological activities are available for campers of all ages. From science experiments to guided morning hikes along the creek to incredible evening stargazing through telescopes, this week is out of this world!
- Folk & International Dance Week (June 19-25): Our renowned Dance Instructors-in-Residence bring dance to life for all ages and all skill levels with an array of morning classes and evening dances. From International Folk Dances to Congolese Dance and Drum, children and adults alike will enjoy learning, dancing and moving. No prior experience necessary!
- Family Music Week (June 26-July 2): Led by our Grammy Award-winning Artist-in-Residence, this week is perfect for families who love playing or listening to live music. Beginners can learn a new instrument during free morning lessons and workshops, and more advanced players can join in on impromptu jam sessions. Nightly performances and shows round out this music-filled week. Bring instruments if you have them!
- 4th of July Week (July 3-9): Enjoy all the traditional camp activities plus special holiday festivities. Independence Day activities include face painting, bike decorating, a parade, and the OFRC Olympics with sack races, water balloon toss, and other family-friendly contests. We’ll top off the day with our famous barbecue feast. Celebrate the 4th with your family all week long!
- Storytelling Week (July 10-16): Love a good tale? Enjoy a week with our award-winning and internationally recognized Storyteller-in-Residence, who’s been coming to camp for over 25 years to share her stories each evening and charm, entertain, and enthrall us all! Campers of all ages will be spellbound as they hear stories and songs that capture their minds and imaginations.
Felton Library Friends (FLF) is a volunteer community organization that actively supports the needs and services of the Felton Library and Discovery Park. This unique combination of library and park offers an exceptional integration of indoor/outdoor learning, connection, and enjoyment.
If you love the library and park, you are a Felton Library Friend!
All interested Friends are invited to come to in-person FLF meetings, and to consider joining a team or volunteering in some other way. Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. in the Community Room.
95018
Join us this summer in the beautiful Trinity Alps Wilderness in Northern California!
Enjoy, learn about, and care for the outdoors. FIELDGUIDES is a small, non-profit, outdoor education organization focused on providing personalized camping and backpacking programs for schools and individuals.
Fieldguides Outdoor Education Summer Programs include:
Summer Backpacking (Ages 12-17)
15-day backpacking trips in the beautiful Trinity Alps, Russian, and Marble Wildernesses! Participants will spend 15-days hiking to gorgeous alpine lakes & exploring rich conifer forests. Sleeping out under the stars, cooking over fires, and making memories that will last a lifetime.
Wilderness Leadership Training (Ages 16-17)
Backcountry navigation, trail cooking, shelter building, wilderness first aid & emergency safety procedures. These are just some of topics explored during our Wilderness Leadership Training program! Participants will also discuss group dynamics, practice communication techniques and begin to understand the obligations of leadership.
Family Days (All ages!)
Bring your family for an incredible camping experience at a remote wilderness lake in the Camp Unalayee Basin! Fieldguides staff will take care of all your food and cooking needs as well as offer activities from hiking and swimming to boating and crafts!
Can't make it this summer? We also offer a variety of trips during the school year! Check out our "Individual Programs" page to learn more about our trips for families & individuals or our "School Programs" page to learn about our unique approach to environmental education for schools & youth groups.
94303
Food Trucks a Go Go is our event planning service which works with the best local Food Trucks to easily bring together any event for you, including the local favorites at Scotts Valley Skypark Food Truck Fridays and Taco Tuesdays.
See upcoming events here. We are the exclusive Food Truck catering organizer at Roaring Camp for everything from birthday parties to weddings.
We can work with you to design your special event.
http://www.foodtrucksagogo.com ~ 831-334-3819 ~ Email us at info@foodtrucksagogo.com to get the party started!
Food Trucks a Go Go brings the community together creating a space for Food Trucks, vendors, musicians, artists and neighbors to engage and play.
Gateway School in Santa Cruz, California has provided families with an exceptional educational experience for 50 years. Students and alumni proudly embody the school's values and inspire future generations as Gateway embarks on its next 50 years.
Gateway School is an all gender day school for students in grades Kindergarten through 8th. We are a community dedicated to nurturing academic excellence and intellectual curiosity, high character and personal compassion, and individual agency and engagement.
We feature Art, Music, Spanish, Mindfulness, Life Lab Science, and a Makerspace as integral parts of our program, along with small classes, a gorgeous nine-acre campus, and a loving community of families.
We invite all families interested in Gateway School to visit, ask questions, and get to know our community! For more information and to schedule a tour, please email our Admissions Manager at admissions@gatewaysc.org or visit our website at www.gatewaysc.org.
Business Website Address: http://www.gatewaysc.org/
Business Phone Number: 831.423.0341
95060
