“What’s On” at the YMCA of Greater San Francisco —Summer 2026 Edition
Introducing our new quarterly ‘seasonal’ guide bringing you events and happenings at the YMCA of Greater San Francisco, including much-loved summer traditions for youth, family friendly community activities and cross-generational programs that offer social connection.
May 21, 2026, San Francisco, Calif. – Our ‘What’s On at the Y’ Summer 2026 edition features a hearty lineup of day camps, overnight adventures, and other youth experiences that make summer every kid’s favorite season. Families can look forward to special events such as Aviation Day and Y night at the Golden State Valkyries. New this summer, we’re launching an intergenerational program that pairs seniors with youth to explore the outdoors together while fostering a sense of community and connectedness.
Summer Fun for Kids
School might be on a break, but summer fun is just getting started. Last year, 8,225 lively and fun-loving kids participated in a YMCA of Greater San Francisco day camp, overnight (sleepover) camp or summer program, giving them a chance to build friendships, learn something new, be part of a community and have FUN!
There’s still time for parents to enroll their kids in one of these life-skill-building experiences. Here’s what we offer.
Summer Day Camps
At the YMCA’s traditional day camps held throughout San Francisco as well as in Marin and San Mateo counties, kids are grouped by age and guided by experienced youth development staff who know how to keep them engaged, challenged and having fun. Each week is packed with excursions, arts and crafts, camp songs, themed activities and more, creating memorable summer experiences that extend far beyond the last day of camp.
Overnight Camp
For generations, going to sleepaway camp at Camp Jones Gulch has been a cherished rite of passage for Bay Area youth. Nestled among more than 900 acres of old-growth redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the nearly century-old camp blends classic traditions like swimming, hiking, canoeing, arts and crafts, and campfires with adventure experiences including a zipline, climbing tree, and updated ropes course. New in 2026: a three-day wilderness program for 11- to 14-year-olds focused on hiking and outdoor survival skills.
Specialty Camps
YMCA of Greater San Francisco’s specialty camps are geared towards kids who have keen interests or passions. Specialty camp themes include STEAM, Splash (swim and water-focused), sports, dance, art studio, tennis, hike & bike, basketball, dance, geocaching, LEGO, performing arts, theatre and cooking. Of Note: Y Rangers is an environmental education-oriented summer camp program led by a team of specialized naturalists. Activities include hiking, nature exploration, fishing, outdoor cooking, team-building and environmental stewardship.
Community Centric Family Activities
Summer is made for memory-making, and few organizations bring families together quite like the YMCA. Here’s a roundup of family-friendly experiences designed to spark connection, fun and a little summer magic.
Alaska Airlines Aviation Day
June 6 | 10 am – 2:30 pm | SFO Airport
Youth ages 10 to 18 are invited to this free community event at San Francisco International Airport to explore the world of aviation: get an up-close look at aircrafts, talk to pilots and engineers and learn about career opportunities in aviation. Registration for this event is required, and all youth must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Attendees receive a limited-edition Aviation Day t-shirt, and first 100 attendees will be entered into a drawing to win Golden State Valkyries tickets.
YMCA Night with the Golden State Valkyries
July 20 | 7 pm | Chase Center
The power of community comes alive on the court at YMCA of Greater San Francisco night as the Golden State Valkryies take on the Washington Mystics. A special YMCA ticket (no tax or fees) includes a chance to participate in pregame shoots and postgame free throws, plus a special YMCA Valkyries commemorative t-shirt.
Y News and Story Opportunities
Preschool Playground Renovations
Mid-July
As one of the largest early childhood education (ECE) providers in the city of San Francisco, the YMCA’s childcare and preschool centers are equipped to give young children a place to belong and feel safe while supporting families from all backgrounds. Two outdoor areas at Mission YMCA and LCOS (Lutheran Church of Our Savior) at Stonestown YMCA have been reimagined as natural play spaces for young children, with elements such as log tunnels, wood huts, mud kitchens and sand/water play areas, plus outdoor classroom seating areas. The newly refreshed spaces were made possible with grants from Cal Fire and the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF).
Power Scholars Academy Graduation and 10th Anniversary Celebration
July 16 | 10 am | Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Originally launched as a national initiative through the YMCA of the USA, Power Scholars Academy has supported primarily lower-income San Francisco students in grades 1–8 for the past 10 years through a partnership between the YMCA and national nonprofit BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life). The six-week summer program helps prevent learning loss while supporting students’ academic, physical and social-emotional growth. More than 1,700 students have participated locally. This year’s celebration event will honor scholars, teachers and community partners while commemorating a decade of impact in San Francisco.
The Presidio YMCA and Mission YMCA Awarded Whale Tail Grant by the California Coastal Commission
Through the support of the Whale Tail Grant awarded in 2026, the YMCA will intentionally bring Presidio, Mission and Bayview Hunters-Point communities together in a cross-generational program, serving adults in Mission’s Active Older Adults (AOA) program and Bayview Hunters-Point. We will offer a safe and inclusive space for elders to explore the coastal outdoors while providing youth with meaningful opportunities to practice outdoor facilitation and leadership skills. The goal is to bridge generations, strengthen community bonds, reduce social isolation, and enhance overall wellbeing by fostering meaningful, cross-generational connections.
About the YMCA of Greater San Francisco
With 15 locations, a residential camp and more than 130 program sites in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin counties, the YMCA of Greater San Francisco is one of the Bay Area’s largest community service organizations serving 130,000 people annually. The Y promotes individual and community wellbeing for people of all ages through wellness programs, youth development, and critical social services. The programs and services at each local Y are shaped by the needs and aspirations of the people it serves, building strong bonds of connection at the community level. Through partnerships with neighborhood associations, schools, civic leaders, and businesses, the Y continues to evolve and expand, providing safe spaces in which people can be authentic, belong to a welcoming community and become their best selves.
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