Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Teenage school friends smiling to camera, close up

It’s here! Every spring Growing Up in Santa Cruz publishes an annual guide to resources available to teens (and their parents) in the Santa Cruz County area. Our goal is to provide an accessible, helpful list of resources to help teens and families navigate the complex needs of teens in ways that promote healthy avenues for growth, exploration and development. The resources in this guide offer support for dealing with academic, peer pressure and relationship issues, as well as recreational, job training and volunteer opportunities. We encourage you to share this guide with your teen and post a copy up in your house so your teen has easy access to the resource list. As some topics may be difficult for teens to request support with, we also suggest giving a copy of this guide, and especially of the phone and text hotlines at the end of the guide, to your teen.

All About Theatre

Tannery Arts Center
1010 River Street, Santa Cruz
831.345.6340
[email protected]
www.allabouttheatre.org

All About Theatre logo

All About Theatre is where teens take center stage. From first-time performers to seasoned young artists, our teen program (ages 14-18) offers training, creative collaboration, and performance in a professional theater setting. This May, our teens bring the epic story of Les Misérables School Edition to life on stage. And this summer, we’re proud to offer a full teen production of Dear Evan Hansen, giving high school performers the opportunity to tackle contemporary material that speaks directly to their generation.

Art Factory Studios

Art Factory Studios logo

Explore creativity at Art Factory Studios! In Ceramic Sculpting for Teens, students will develop sculptural hand-building, and glazing techniques while bringing ideas to life in clay. Pieces will be kiln-fired for pick up 2-4 weeks after camp. Small groups and expert instructors provide guidance and support, helping teens build confidence, skill, and creativity. Space is limited—register today!

Chartwell School

2511 Numa Watson Road, Seaside
831.394.3468
www.chartwell.org/summer

Summer Chartwell School, located on 60 acres in Seaside, serves students with dyslexia and other related learning differences who are not currently reaching their full potential. We do this in grades 1-12 by providing targeted and direct instruction to empower learners with the skills, strategies, tools, and social-emotional mindset they need to thrive in college and beyond. Summer@Chartwell is a three-week program that emphasizes literacy, math, STEAM, and enrichment skills.

Dientes Community Dental Care

1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
1500 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz
100 Pioneer Street, Suite D, Santa Cruz
55 Penny Lane, Suite 103, Watsonville
1430 Freedom Blvd., Suite C, Watsonville
dientes.org

Dientes is accepting new patients ages 0-18! With five locations, Dientes is the largest provider of high-quality, affordable dental care in Santa Cruz County. We practice whole family dentistry including children, adults, and seniors. From exams and x-rays to cleanings, sealants, fillings, and root canals, we make great smiles accessible to everyone. We accept Medi-Cal and offer sliding-scale fees for uninsured patients. Plus, we’re proudly bilingual—¡Se habla Español!

Gateway School K-8th grade

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz
831.423.0341
GatewaySC.org

Gateway School K-8th grade logo

Gateway School has provided students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade with an exemplary education for over 50 years. Our Middle School offers a dynamic, challenging education that prepares teens for the fast-changing world by focusing on scholarship, citizenship, and compassion. The Kindergarten through 8th grade model allows students to become leaders and engage in age-appropriate activities which leads to higher levels of self-esteem and academic achievement.

International Academy of Dance

International Academy of Dance logo

International Academy of Dance, home of Santa Cruz City Ballet, provides world-class instruction in Classical Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Jazz. The studio is an encouraging and supportive community from ages two to a hundred and two. It is our mission to inspire students of all ages to develop a lifelong love of dance. Through choreography, balance, agility, strength, and flexibility, we work with each dancer to hone artistry, technique, focus and musicality.

Jim Booth Swim School

Jim Booth Swim School logo

Be a water wonder! Lessons for all ages! From our Little Otters swim class for parents and their babies to our adult beginner class. The whole family can splash together at Jim Booth Swim School. Little Otters is a gentle introduction to our 94-degree indoor pool that will make you confident that you are guiding your infant to a happy water experience. Our lessons emphasize quality swimming in an exciting class taught by our caring, well-qualified teachers.

Kennolyn Day Camps

Ready to get your child away from technology and into a nourishing community in the great outdoors? On 450 acres of privately owned redwood forest, only 4 miles from town, Kennolyn Day Camp is just a short bus ride away. Your child will thrive in this fun, active, supportive environment. And after a day of exploring the fields, pond, and miles of trails, they’ll be happy-tired after each fun day! Nowhere else in the local region will you find a more complete, authentic summer day camp experience.

La Madrona Athletic Club

1897 La Madrona Drive, Santa Cruz
831.438.1072
www.lamadronaclub.com

La Madrona Athletic Club is located in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains and remains a premier club for health and wellness, balancing a gorgeous facility with a family-friendly environment. Our summer youth programs are offered year-round. La Madrona offers high-level instructional camps for tennis and swimming, as well as an all-day sports camp in the summer. Summer sports camp is an outdoor camp that will provide children the opportunity to develop their sports skills, self-confidence, and self-esteem through fun games, swimming, and tennis activities.

MAH museum

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St, Santa Cruz
831.429.1964
[email protected]

This summer, the MAH is offering two vibrant creative camps, each running for one week and filled with hands-on learning. Art & Ecology Camp, led by muralist Jesica Evangilista, invites campers ages 7-13 to create murals inspired by art and nature. Dance As Moving Art, led by Motion Pacific Dance instructors Gabi Praza and Kali Lucas, encourages teens ages 11-17 to choreograph and tell stories through movement. All camps run 9am-1pm, with optional care until 3 pm. Snacks and materials are included. Space is limited, reserve your spot today!

Mountain of Fun, Mount Madonna School

491 Summit Road, Watsonville
408.847.2717
mountmadonnaschool.org/summer

Summer day camps on Mount Madonna School’s 380-acre redwood-forest campus, offering weekly summer camps: Redwood Explorers ages 9-13, July 6-July 31. Students enjoy arts and crafts, hiking, sports camps, STEAM projects, astronomy, team-building and an overnight campout for Redwood Explorers. Horse camp option available for campers 7+. Play in nature, cultivate relationships, build skills, and more—unplugged, outdoors, and active! Camps are Monday through Friday, 9 am-3:30 pm. Transportation is available.

Redwood Music Camps

Redwood Music Camps logo

Does your teenager play an instrument? Let them take a deep dive into Celtic music with other young musicians this summer. They’ll have fun, learn new tunes and techniques, and become better musicians. Redwood Music Teen Camp offers excellent teachers, a supportive and fun environment, and the opportunity to make new friends. For players of violin, viola, flute, penny whistle, recorder, harp, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, accordion, small keyboards, cello, and bass. Teen Camp (June 14-20) is a one-week sleepover camp for ages 12-18.

Santa Catalina School

Santa Catalina School logo

Santa Catalina School prepares students to lead lives of meaning and purpose. Our all-girls day and boarding Upper School (Grades 9-12) encourages students to explore, discover, and deepen their passions and interests in academic and real-world settings. Our all-girls summer camp, Summer at Santa Catalina (Grades 2-9), provides leadership opportunities at every age. Campers entering Grade 9 can gain hands-on leadership experience by planning and facilitating an all-camp program.

Santa Cruz Montessori

Ages 18 months – 14 years
Main Campus (Primary and Elementary)
6230 Soquel Drive, Aptos
Winston Campus (Young Children’s Community and Jr. High)
244 Cabrillo College Drive, Soquel
831.476.1646
scms.org

Established in 1964, Santa Cruz Montessori is a non-profit school serving children 18 months to 14 years, celebrating our 60th anniversary this year! Based on a deep understanding of child through adolescent development, our programs meet the interests and needs of our students, engaging and challenging them to do their best. Our community of teachers and parents works together to support our learners and provide an engaging Montessori curriculum, including humanities, math, sciences and arts.

Santa Cruz Soccer Camp

Celebrating over 40 years of camp, Santa Cruz Soccer Camp offers a fun and supportive environment where learning happens through enjoyment. Designed for kids ages 5 to 14, the camp features nine weekly sessions throughout the summer. With an average 7:1 camper-to-coach ratio, participants receive personalized instruction focused on skill development, teamwork, and confidence building. Located among the redwoods at DeLaveaga Park, campers enjoy an active outdoor experience in a beautiful natural setting.

Crisis Phone Numbers

AIDS Hotline
1.800.367.2437

California Youth Crisis
24-Hour Hotline
1.800.843.5200

Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline
1.800.799.SAFE
1.800.799.7233

National Runaway Safeline
24-hour hotline-will relay messages

1.800.RUNAWAY
1.800.786.2929

Parental Stress Hotline
831.724.2879
831.426.7322

Sexual Assault
24-Hour Hotline

1.800.656.HOPE
1.800.656.4673

Teen Line
Teens Helping Teens
1.800.852.8336
Text TEEN to 839863

Quit Smoking
1.800.766.2888

Suicide Prevention Services
831.458.5300
1.877.663.5433

This is by no means a complete list of all the teen resources and programs in Santa Cruz County. GUiSC is not responsible for any errors or omissions, nor does inclusion in this listing constitute our endorsement of a program. Please call to verify the information listed.