The YMCA in downtown Berkeley offers three pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and comprehensive youth, teen, senior and adult programs. The center is known for solid, affordable, family-based recreation programs, afterschool activities, sports leagues, and summer camps. Hundreds of classes are offered ranging from dance, gymnastics, swimming, and basketball to yoga, kick-boxing and lifeguarding certification.

The center also has a kindergym - an indoor
playground with a bounce house, ball pit, and climbing structures.

For Kids Night Out, contact 510.665.3241.

The Boy Scouts is an institution that has honed to the same mission for decades: To promote physical fitness, citizenship, and good old-fashioned character building.

Boys in first through fifth grade are eligible for Cub Scouts. From sixth through twelfth grade your son can become a Boy Scout. Many boys join a troop through either their school or church. But you can also call the San Francisco number to find out where there's a unit closest to you. You'll be given the name and number of the pack leader and can call to make arrangements for meeting.

Each pack meets as often as the parents want them to and frequency can range from one to four times a month.

The YMCA, known for its solid, affordable, family-based recreation programs, offers afterschool activities, sports, and summer camps. Its Hoops program is a basketball league for middle and high-schoolers; it has a Young Women's Club and Young Men's Club which organizes sports and recreational oportunities for middle-schoolers; and it collaborates with several organizations to offer the same for kids around town.

The free after-school program includes recreational activities and one-on-one tutoring by trained volunteers. The students are registered through the teachers at Bessie Carmichael Elementary School. For more information contact the Community Programs Director at (415) 615-1309.

The Excelsior Youth Center provides free Saturday programs, including sports, cooking, open gym, arts, puppetry, drama, and family storytime.

Toddlers (ages three to five) can learn new sports and motor skills or attend storytime with their families. Elementary school-aged children can stay healthy while playing sports, or explore their artistic side while creating masterpieces in puppetry or cooking. Older youth can learn to be stars in the acting and drama class, or let out some energy while playing pick-up sports in the open gym.

The Center also regularly hosts family and cultural events.

The local Girl Scouts branch is a force; nearly 30,000 Bay Area girls are registered, with over 19,000 adult volunteers. Their credo is "Where girls grow strong," and selling Girl Scout cookies is only a small part of getting there. On field trips and through mentorships with local employers, the girls learn about science, business, arts, and themselves. The organization also hosts spring and summer camps.

Joining is easy. Call the central number to register; you'll be assigned to a troop in your neighborhood. Each troop meets as often as the parents want them to and frequency can range from one to four times a month. Girls in first through fifth grade are eligible for Brownies; from sixth through twelfth grade they join the Girl Scouts.

Girl Space provides a safe and inspiring environment for girls ages six to twelve, where they can develop the life skills needed to reach their highest potential. Through individual, group, and community-based outreach activities, Girl Space aims to nurture and advance within each girl a sense of confidence, self-esteem, individuality, creativity, integrity, responsibility for self and community, and friendship.

Girl Space hosts a summer camp that meets at J.K. Park in the Presidio, from 9am-4pm on Monday thru Friday. The camp offers hiking, swimming, beach visits, and field trips to farmers' markets and Angel Island.

Girls on the Run is an after-school running program for girls in 3rd-8th grade. The group is dedicated to building confidence in young girls by providing quality running programs in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa and San Mateo Counties.

The curriculum teaches girls how to achieve a healthy lifestyle, both physically and emotionally. The group incorporates fun and challenging games addressing a range of issues, such as the importance of healthy nutrition, a positive attitude, why drugs hurt chances of success, community involvement, the importance of self-respect, and unrealistic body images in the media. The girls also complete a community service project together and at the end of the program, they complete a one-mile or 5K race.

Check the website for the current schedule.

Growth and Learning Opportunities (GLO) runs before and afterschool programs at public schools in the City. In addition, GLO offers GLO Summer Adventures Program(GSA) during the summer.

The program offers enrichment classes for children to express themselves through language, music, and art. Kids can also participate in games or take field trips to various locations throughout the Bay Area.

GLO Afterschool Programs: GLO operates four licensed before and afterschool programs in San Francisco Public Elementary Schools.

GLO Summer Adventures offers enrichment classes that involve arts and crafts, cooking, science, hiking, gardening, volleyball, geography, photography, and much more. GLO also offers swimming lessons. In addition, GSA takes the children on field trips to various places around the Bay Area.

The Presidio Community YMCA hosts a vast panoply of family-friendly programs, including afterschool activities,
classes, day camps, birthday parties, sports leagues, and more.

A critical focus of the Presidio Community YMCA is youth and teens, and the Y delivers programs for kids of all ages built around the YMCA's four core values of respect,
responsibility, honesty, and caring. Caring professional staff and volunteers help kids reach their highest potential.

Family Swim Time: Facility members and swim lesson participants who are program members of the Presidio community YMCA are welcome to bring their families and use the small pool all day on Fridays free of charge. The pool is open from 5:45am until 9:30pm.

The Presidio Community YMCA runs two afterschool programs, located at Marina Middle School (open to Marina MS students) and Claire Lilienthal (open to any
middle school student). The programs are free and run Monday through Friday. For more information on these programs, contact Jena Lee at 415.447.9643. A number of club-based offsite programs are also available at Roosevelt, Francisco, Marina, and Claire Lilienthal middle schools - including as
Outdoor Club, Community Service Club, and Bike Club. For more information on these programs, contact Jena Lee at 415.447.9643.

Lessons and instructional classes for kids and teens are plentiful.

The Presidio YMCA's Junior Tennis Program is for kids ages four to 18. The professional staff help to develop coordination, stroke development, game fundamentals, and skill strategies with a strong emphasis on fun! Classes are divided by age and skill level, with a six to one instructor/student ratio. Lessons are available on a drop-in
basis or one to three days per week for a seven-week session. For additional information,contact Tennis Coordinator Rich Carson at 415.447.9696, ex 419 or The Main Post Gym at 415.447.9622.

Swimming classes include a Parent/Child Program, (ages six months to three years), a Preschool Program
(ages three to five years), a Youth Program (ages six to 14 years), and the Presidio Aquatics Club Swim Team
(Tryouts mandatory; participants must be able to swim 500 freestyle non-stop and 50 yards of each of the competitive strokes and turns). The year-round, competitive swim team places emphasis on stroke technique, building endurance, leadership, and team building, and is open to children ages seven to 18. For more information on Aquatic
programs, contact Shannon McClung at 415.447.9609

Day camps are available during school vacations.

Winter Camp is designed to fit the needs of children and parents during the holidays. Day camps incorporate on-site and outdoor activities, including swimming, sports, games, and arts & crafts. Some field trips and adventure activities are included in some of the programs as well. Winter camp is
offered in two sessions, four days per session, at a fee of $165/week for Family Members and $190/week for Program Members. A $25 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit is required to register for each session.

Spring Day Camp consists of games, field trips, swimming, arts and crafts, sports, and more! A detailed schedule is available in February. The camp runs from 9am-4:30pm, with extended care available from 7:30am-9am and 4:30pm-6pm at an additional cost of $10 per week. The camp fee is $165/week for Family Members and $190/week for Program Members.
A $25 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit is required to register for each session.

Summer Day Camp programs include Specialty and Sports camps which run throughout the summer months and provide children in grades K through 8 with an active, fun, safe environment where they can meet and play with friends, old and new. Camp sessions include drama, science,
basketball, horseback riding, soccer, baseball, dance, sailing, tennis, trapeze arts, lacrosse and more. For more information about YMCA camps, take a look at the annual Summer Program Brochure, which is available each February. Parents can obtain the brochure by visiting the Camp page (www.ymcasf.org) or by calling Membership Services at 415.447.9622.

One-Day Holiday Camps run during school holidays, such as President's Day. The camp day run from 9am-4:30pm, with extended care available from 8am-9am and 4:30pm-5:30pm.)
Children should bring a backpack with morning snack, bag lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen, swimsuit, and a towel.
The fee is $30/day for Family Members, $35/day for Program Members.

The YMCA is a great place to hold birthday party celebrations as well! Packages are available for two hour parties, and include a half hour before and after for
set-up/clean-up. The Y provides a staff person to run a sports activity, such as basketball, soccer, baseball (for K-3rd grade), and group games. Packages start at $250.
For more information, contact Robert Martinez at 415.447.9674 or email rmartinez@ymcasf.org.

The Y's Sports Leagues include:

Youth Basketball, for beginners and advanced players alike. Teams are organized according to age. Practices are held once a week for one hour, and games are played on Saturdays. The program provides young players with a positive and fun experience of both recreational and competitive play. Individual and team registration is available. The program is held in the Letterman Gym; fee is $90 for season/Family Members; $125 for season/Program Members.

Youth Baseball, an instructional and recreational program that introduces basic baseball skills, such as hitting, throwing, catching, and base-running. Emphasis is on team-work, good sportsmanship, and building positive self-esteem. Rules are modified to ensure player participation and success. Youth baseball games are one hour long and are held on Saturdays. Practices are
scheduled on game days, half an hour prior to the game.
Games are played at Paul Goode Field in the Presidio.

Team and individual registration are available, and leagues include:

Kindergarten/T-Ball - Basic batting and fielding are emphasized
;
1st Grade/Coach Pitch - Coaches pitch safety ball in the introductory league
.

The fee is $90 for season/Family Members; $125 for season/Program Members.

Program Membership is $35 and lasts one year.

Family Membership includes two adults living in the same household and any children under the age of 18. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children 13 and older are welcome to use the fitness facilities and equipment, but must first attend a Fitness Consultation. Monthly fee is $82.

Where can kids go for rec time in the Richmond district after school? The Richmond District After School Collaborative (RDASC)provides multicultural youth and their families with affordable after school activities that are safe, educational, as well as entertaining. Programs include visual and dramatic art classes, academic tutoring, counseling services, and structured recreational activities. Participants also have access to healthy, nutritious snacks.

A local branch of the San Francisco YMCA offering many activities and sports for youth.

Founded in 1958, Young Audiences of the Bay Area offers San Francisco area families a special ArtsCard, which features discounts at many local museums and arts programs, including ODC Dance Theater and more.