AUGUST 2025
The Importance of Summer
Summer is a powerful time for youth development.
It provides a break from academic pressures and allows space for joy, exploration, self discovery, and connection.
Our Approach to Summer
BGCSF’s summer programs are designed to be joyful, enriching, and expansive, combining fun with meaningful learning, real-world experiences, and strong mentorship.
Extended hours and unique experiences allow youth to build deeper bonds with peers and staff turning Clubhouses and Camp Mendocino into second homes.
Participation and Reach
Who We Serve
During the summer, Clubs were open 7+ hours a day for:
40 days
We served:
3,741 youth
Program Reach by Demographics
Programming and Impact
Academic Success
Through thoughtfully designed literacy and STEM programming, we combat summer learning loss and spark a love of learning outside the classroom.
Academic highlights include:
● Citywide Spelling Bee (elementary school) and Quiz Bowl (middle school)
● STEM Fair
● College Prep workshops
Academic Success by the numbers
● 1,796 youth participated in academic programming
● 1,505 youth participated in literacy enrichment programs
● 1,288 youth participated in STEM programs
● 88 Teens Participated in College Prep workshops/support
CollegeReady
● 100% (68/68) of seniors in the College Prep Program are now college bound
● Youth were linked to $282,900 in college scholarships
Good Character and Community Engagement
Good character and community engagement are at the heart of summer at BGCSF, empowering youth to lead with purpose and make a difference. Through age-appropriate leadership clubs, teens built skills, strengthened their voices, and connected with their communities in meaningful ways.
From advocating at City Hall to creating an art book highlighting neighborhood disparities, our young leaders took action to inspire change and build a better future for themselves and their community.
Good Character and Community Engagement by the
numbers
● 299 youth participated in Torch Club (leadership club for middle schoolers)
● 127 high schoolers participated in Keystone Club (leadership club for high schoolers)
● 5 teens, alongside BGCSF staff, went to City Hall to talk about BGCSF’s impact on their lives and the importance of youth programming
● 6 teens created a photo-illustrated art book on cleanliness disparities among neighborhoods, and plan to present it to elected officials to inspire change.
Healthy Lifestyles
Summers at the Club reflect our ongoing commitment to healthy lifestyles through daily play, structured sports, and wellness activities that promote physical and emotional well-being.
From Junior Giants baseball and swim lessons to cooking classes and gardening projects, youth stay active, try new things, and build lifelong healthy habits in a supportive environment.
Summer also allows us to explore partnerships that provide unique opportunities such as surfing lessons with the MeWater Foundation.
Healthy Lifestyles by the numbers
Behavioral Health Services
● 134 hours of no-cost professional therapy were provided by behavioral health specialists
● 1,100 youth received socioemotional support from the Behavioral Health team
Sports, Fitness & Play
● 2,120 youth participated in sports or physical activities
● 572 youth participated in BGCSF’s Swim Academy & Aquatics Program
● 311 you participated in healthy cooking classes
● 246 youth participated in Junior Giants baseball leagues
Job Readiness with Earning Potential
Our summer programs help teens build critical skills for the future. Through the Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program, youth gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities to lead within the Club.
Workshops on mock interviews, paired with real-world career exposure visits to local companies give teens the confidence and tools to take their next steps toward employment and independence.
Job Readiness with Earning Potential by
the numbers
● 262 teens were connected to internships & work opportunities through the Club
○ 137 teens participated in work-based learning opportunities at our San Francisco Clubs
○ 125 teens participated in leadership training and work-based learning opportunities at Camp Mendocino
● 334 middle and high schoolers participated in 10 summer career exploration opportunities
○ These included multiple industries, such as healthcare, auto dealers, tech companies, fashion, real estate, etc.
● 170 youth participated in financial literacy programming
Unique Experiences
Arts Partnerships
Arts programming is a vital part of summer at BGCSF, offering youth creative outlets for self-expression, confidence-building, and cultural connection.
This summer, our members explored dance, theater, and storytelling through meaningful partnerships across the city:
● San Francisco Ballet
● African-American Shakespeare Company
● San Francisco Youth Theatre at Mission Clubhouse
● Apple-supported spoken word program at the Springer Clubhouse in Sunnydale
Field Trips
Field trips are a cornerstone of summer, giving youth the chance to explore new neighborhoods and expand their perspective. For many members, these outings are first-time experiences—making memories that last long after summer ends.
This summer, field trips included:
● The Exploratorium
● Lands End
● The San Francisco Symphony
● The Presidio Tunnel Tops
● The Marine Mammal Center
Special
Events and Guest Speakers
Summer is filled with special moments that inspire, build community, and celebrate identity.
Highlights from this summer included:
● A visit with Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky hosted by Athleta
● A vibrant Pride Celebration hosted at the Don Fisher Clubhouse that welcomed kids from across BGCSF.
● HBCU-inspired homecoming celebration at the Willie Mays Clubhouse
● Water Day at Excelsior
Camp Mendocino
The Magic of Camp Mendocino
Camp Mendocino offers youth a rare opportunity to unplug from city life and discover their full potential in a safe, supportive, and nature-filled environment.
Surrounded by redwoods and guided by caring staff, campers build confidence, independence, and lasting friendships.
For many, Camp becomes a second home—where they begin to imagine a life beyond their daily surroundings, take healthy risks, and discover leadership skills.
Camp Programming Highlights
Each day at Camp is packed with hands-on, confidence-building experiences that spark joy, creativity, and personal growth.
● High ropes and zipline adventures
● Swimming and kayaking in the Noyo River
● Arts & crafts under the redwoods
● Archery
● Mountain biking and hiking
● Nature studies
● Performing arts
Teens at Camp
One of Camp’s most impactful experiences is the Leaders-In-Training (LIT) program.
Teens take on real responsibility, serve as role models, and lead younger campers. Through this, they build confidence, develop life and job readiness skills, and learn what it means to lead with purpose.
For many, becoming a LIT is a turning point—shaping their identity, goals, and future path.
Hear directly from our teens
Camp Impact and Numbers
● 1,175 (goal = 1,200) youth spots filled at Camp Mendocino during seven sessions
○ 807 unique campers attended the summer sessions
○ 224 campers attended multiple sessions (28%)
○ 331 spots were filled by Clubhouse members (41%)
New
This Year!
SF All-Stars Sports Camps
To expand our reach and better serve San Francisco families, we are evolving our sports, fitness, & play offerings. This new model supports our strategic plan goal of increasing participation through flexible, relevant, and engaging programs. This decision is supported by:
● Market research revealed families are seeking more specialized, short-term program options and not always our all-inclusive membership.
● Weeklong camps offer high-quality, low-commitment entry points into the Club experience.
SF All-Stars Sports Camp Results
● 100% had fun at the sports camp
● 100% felt the coaches were able to teach and motivate them
● 97% would recommend the camp to a friend
