Recreation Programs
The Parks & Community Services Department offers a wide variety of programs for youth and adults that encourage a positive leisure lifestyle through dance, sports, arts and other enrichment activities. Recreation programs provide opportunities for socialization, personal growth, physical activity, and character building and integrity development.
Parks & Community Services is always looking to expand the services it provides so that it remains responsive to the community and on the cutting edge of current recreation trends. If you or your organization have a particular skill set and would like to share these skills with the community, please contact the Recreation & Community Services Department at (831) 758-7306. Interested in learning more about what the Recreation & Community Services Department has to offer?
Our Programs Include
Tots
Youth ages 3 - 5 get their first introduction to recreation through educational and enrichment activities that encourage socialization, imagination and positive play.
find out more about tot programs
Kids
Youth ages 6 - 12 continue to grow through recreational opportunities that provide safe, positive and fun experiences, which foster friendship and encourage mentoring opportunities with adults.
find out more about Programs for kids
Teens
Youth Ages 12 - 18 enjoy teen oriented spaces along with activities and programs that allow them to express themselves in a positive manner, build relationships and reinforce the value of recreation; and the role it plays in building a positive leisure lifestyle.
find out more about programs for teens
After School
Positive, constructive and enriching after school activities are essential for our youth to develop healthy lifestyles. Recreation programs provide a variety of opportunities for our youth to pursue interests in sports, visual and performing arts, music or dance.
find out more about after school programs
At-Risk Youth
Positive recreational experiences provide alternatives that are key methods of prevention and intervention for youth ages 6 - 18. Youth learn how to make positive choices through positive reinforcement and by being around good role models.
find out more about programs for at-risk youth
Adults
Maintaining a positive leisure lifestyle is key to having a fulfilling and meaningful life as an adult. Recreational programs provide adults with a means of stress reduction, physical activity and continued growth through educational opportunities.
find out more about programs for adults
Seniors
Recreational programs provide an important outlet for seniors and encourage socialization, physical activity and mental well-being.
Museums
- Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH)- Virtual community programming launching soon!
- National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.- See current exhibitions online learning opportunities, audio and video recordings of lectures by artists and curators, and more.
- Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam - The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses the largest collection of arts works by Vincent van Gogh in the world.
- The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles - Virtual tour of works of art dating from the eighth through the twenty-first century
- Guggenheim Museum, New York - Scroll through photos while listening to the audio guide.
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, Simi Valley - Come visit the actual Air Force One aircraft.
- California State Capitol Museum - The virtual tours provide you with a unique opportunity to visit California's Capitol.
- Museum of Tolerance - Hear a Holocaust Survivor, take a virtual tour and learn about the children of the Holocaust.
Helping Seniors receive a healthy meal
May 20, 2020
With the Senior Center at the Firehouse closed due to the COVID-19 crisis, Recreation staff have modified its senior lunch program by establishing a drive-thru service. Seniors make an appointment to receive the meals, and stay in the safety of their cars while it is delivered. "The seniors are happy to see the familiar faces of our staff, and to get a nutritious meal for the day," says Vivian Salinas, Community Services Manager.
The Recreation and Community Services Division has partnered for several years now with the Alliance on Aging and the Alisal Union...
SATURDAY NIGHT TEEN PROGRAM TAKES A TRIP TO SIX FLAGS DISCOVERY KINGDOM
March 11, 2017
85 teens from Bread Box, Firehouse and Hebbron Family Center's Saturday Night Teen Program took an all day trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on Saturday March 11th, they met at their sites at 7:00 a.m. and returned back at 8:00 p.m. The teens were also treated to an all-you-can-eat BBQ lunch buffet at the park.
SATURDAY NIGHT TEEN PROGRAM ATTENDS SANTA CRUZ WARRIORS GAME
January 28, 2017
90 teens from Bread Box, Firehouse and Hebbron Family Center's Saturday Night Teen Program attended the Santa Cruz Warriors game on Saturday January 28th, where all participants received a Santa Cruz Warriors Rally Towel. They were also allowed to go onto the court after the game to take a group photo. Some teens were able to give High-Fives to players pre and post game, and some were able to take photos and selfies with players after the game. Also, a few teens who spotted NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton near the court...
