Sports and Activity Opportunities for Kids!
Overview
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An Opportunity from the Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation (PYSF)
Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation (PYSF) provides instruction, coaching, practice, and racing opportunities for youth in the San Francisco Bay Area. Some have become top sailors in the US. Year-round sailing programs provide opportunities for kids to learn to sail and develop sailing skills using Optimists, Flying Juniors, 420s, and Lasers. Sailors are trained to compete in local regattas in preparation for events along the West Coast.
- High School Race Team – 8th-12th graders. No experience needed. No pre-existing team needed. Attendance at every practice is preferred, but not mandatory. Regattas happen within the Bay Area, as well as throughout CA. Must be comfortable in the water. Boats provided.
- Answers to FAQ can be found here. Cost: $900. Scholarships Available. To apply for a scholarship, complete the PYSF Request for Scholarship. Contact treasurer@pysf.us if you have any questions.
Activity Hero
Find and book local Kids Activites including after school, camps, classes and sports. New activities are posted daily to Activity Hero and are submitted by the activity providers directly to Activityhero.com. Activity Hero includes non and for profit kid activities. Informational only posting are free to all. Activity Hero allows parents and guardians to find more local resources while decreasing volunteer time maintaining this page. Many activities listed below can be found in Activity Hero and more are being added each week by the providers.
High School Athletics Links
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Local Sports
BASEBALL, BASKETBALL & SOFTBALL
PALO ALTO GIRLS SOFTBALL (“PAGS”). 6U-14U (Ages 5-13)
Spring Softball League for girls age 6U-14U (Ages 5-13). The Spring recreational season, mid-Feb to mid-May. Everyone plays. Beginners very welcome. Level of play: beginner/recreational to competitive. We provide a fun program at all ages and skill levels. Our youngest players begin with T-ball in a very relaxed environment. Our oldest players compete in fast-pitch leagues. To bridge the transition, we support skill development through clinics and special instruction for players and coaches. After the spring season, girls who wish to continue their skill development and play at a more competitive level may try out for our summer and fall travel teams. PAGs offers an early bird discount. See PAGS website for more information. PAGS has operated in Palo Alto for more than 30 years and is affiliated with the American Softball Association. To learn more goto: http://www.paloaltogirlssoftball.org
PA LITTLE LEAGUE (5-13)
The purpose of the organization is to support and promote youth baseball in the city of Palo Alto. The organization administered 83 Spring teams, 8 Spring post-season teams, and 13 Fall Ball teams in 2 leagues (North and South), each with 8 separate levels (T-Ball, Coach Pitch, Pitching Machine, PCL (Minors), Major Level, Juniors, Seniors and Challenger). The number of players who participated in Little League in the fiscal year was approximately 1,100. http://pabaseball.org/
PA BABE RUTH (13-15)
Palo Alto Babe Ruth Baseball is a community-based league on a mission to drive quality youth baseball. We offer 4 Seasons: Fall Academy, Spring Prep League, Summer 15U League, and All Stars, providing you with year-round baseball instruction. Choose to play in one season or choose them all, we’ll fit into your schedule! PABR is really The Next League for 13-15 year olds looking to play highly competitive baseball after Little League and throughout high school at the #1 facility in NorCal—the legendary Baylands Athletic Center in Palo Alto. Much like Little League, there’s no reason for a player to make a choice between playing either travel baseball or Babe Ruth, as 80% of rosters play on other travel teams with minimal scheduling conflicts. In addition, we also have no boundary limits and are open to all comers. PABR has been home to many local high school and college all-stars since 1954, including current MLB star Joc Pederson. We hope you decide to register for our next season! For more information, visit our website at www.pababeruth.org or contact Chris Lillios.
PALO ALTO NATIONAL JUNIOR BASKETBALL
Palo Alto National Junior Basketball is a community based non-profit organization having separate boys and girls teams in 3rd through 8th grade. The Palo Alto chapter also runs a Clinic League for 1st and 2nd grade boys and girls, and a High School league for boys (grades 9-12). We are a winter league and operate under the guidelines and bylaws of National Junior Basketball and the Silicon Valley Section of NJB. For more information goto http://www.panjb.com/site/
CREW / ROWING
PALO ALTO ROWING CLUB.
Want to try crew? We’re looking for girls & guys to join our competitive program. Bring our application form with your parent’s signature, & try crew for a week. You’ll love it! We are the original Palo Alto Crew Program; we’ve produced many athletes who received scholarships to some of the best college programs in the US. We have both Head Season and Sprint Season programs. No experience? No problem! Take the first step.
NORCAL CREW TEAM
Looking for something new, fun, & different to try this summer? Join NORCAL Crew for our weeklong “Learn to Row” sessions. Each session is open to boys & girls entering grades 7 – 12. No prior rowing experience required. Learn how to use our land training rowing machines, & spend time on the water learning how to row in our 60 foot long rowing shells. Sweep rowing (one oar per person in a 4-8 person boat) & sculling (2 oars per person in a one-person boat). If you’re an 8th grader or High School athlete looking to try a new sport next year, try our summer program to see if you might want to try out next fall for our Novice Men or Women’s competitive rowing teams. It’s fun in the sun and on the water along the Bair Island preserve. Rowers will be coached by Olympians, World Champions and regionally & nationally ranked coaches.
For more information goto: http://norcalcrew.org/
FENCING & KENDO
CARDINAL FENCING CLUB.
Learn fencing at Stanford, at the state-of-the art facility at Arrillaga Center for Sport and Recreation! Professional coaches. Group lessons & private lessons. Potential star fencers could earn scholarships to study at Stanford. All levels, and ages 7 and up, are welcome! Location: 341 Galvez St., Stanford. Info: https://www.facebook.com/CardinalFencingClub/ or cardinalfencingclub.net, 650-725-3601.
PALO ALTO KENDO DOJO.
Kendo, the “Way of the Sword,” is traditional Japanese Fencing. The Palo Alto Kendo Dojo is a volunteer-run organization practicing Kendo since 1987. Under experienced adult instruction, students learn strikes, footwork and strategies. Kendo uses shinai (bamboo sword) and bogu (protective armor) so that practitioners can safely exchange strikes. Kendo training is mentally and physically challenging. No previous martial arts experience required. Boys & girls age 7 and up are welcome. Costs & other info for prospective students: www.paloaltokendo.org
FIELD HOCKEY
STANFORD LIGHTNING FIELD HOCKEY
Stanford Lightning is a non-profit youth Field Hockey club designed to teach and promote field hockey to boys and girls ages 5-15. We welcome players of ALL skill levels to join us and see if Stanford Lighting Youth Field Hockey is right for you. We focus on skills and team building from beginners to experienced players. Your child will gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals in field hockey in a fun-filled and supportive environment. Stanford Lightning holds holds practice all year long where players learn skills, build stamina and develop sportsmanship. There are tournaments throughout the year, but are mainly concentrated in the spring. If you want to try field hockey, drop by and join us in the fun. For more information goto: http://www.stanfordlightning.org (link broken, sorry)
GOLF
THE FIRST TEE OF SILICON VALLEY.
The First Tee of Silicon Valley offers youth development through golf throughout Silicon Valley. As a Life Skills program, we build the character of youth to help them succeed in life. All 1st through 12th graders, with or without golf experience, are eligible to join. Palo Alto classes are held at the Palo Alto Golf Course, 1875 Embarcadero, PA 650-856-0881. Details & online registration: thefirstteesanjose.org. Scholarships available upon request. Equipment is provided.
ICE SKATING
ICE SKATING AT THE WINTER LODGE.
Winter Lodge is a non-profit organization and has been teaching ice skating classes for kids for over 50 years here in Palo Alto. Fall, winter, & spring sessions. Sign up in person, by phone, or by fax — but when signups open, don’t delay. Classes often fill up the first day! Info,: http://www.winterlodge.com, 493-4566.
LACROSSE
TOMAHAWKS LACROSSE.
Lacrosse is now an official school sport (Varsity & JV) for Boys & Girls at Paly & Gunn! At Paly, it’s #2 in participation (behind only track; ahead of football, baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming). The Tomahawks Youth Lacrosse Club sponsors youth boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams for over 400 players, ranging from 1st grade through 8th grade. Founded in 1990, our players come from Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Portola Valley, Woodside, and throughout the South Bay and MidPeninsula. The Tomahawks Youth Lacrosse Club is a year round program, offering league play, summer camps, fall ball, and instructional clinics thoughout the year. We also partner with Team NorCal, a lacrosse development and travel team program that participates in regional and national tournaments. The Tomahawks are a 501c3 Non Profit corporation based in Palo Alto, California. Home games at Paly; we practice at various Palo Alto fields. Info: http://www.tomahawkslacrosse.org
RUGBY
PENINSULA YOUTH RUGBY RAZORHAWKS
Peninsula Youth Rugby Razorhawks. Opened to all boys and girls between 5 and 15 years of age. We teach the fundamentals and joy of rugby while instilling the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and fitness. Taught by experienced coaches who have played rugby at the national and international level players are taken from their first catch/pass to confident and elegant gameplay. Games are played at the Rich May Field in a new state-of-the-art athletic facility. Info & online registration: http://www.razorhawks.com/.
RUN / WALK / X-COUNTRY
PENINSULA FLYERS (http://www.peninsulaflyers.org).
Our club works with youth ages 5-17 who love to participate in long distance running, sprints, and field events. Children of all experience levels are welcome! We encourage teamwork and workouts are always fun. Since we are both a track and cross country team, we do compete in various meets throughout the year, generally on weekends.
SAILING
PENINSULA YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION
Our year-round sailing programs provide opportunities for kids of all ages to learn to sail and develop their sailing skills. Sailing is done in Optimists, Flying Juniors, 420’s, and Lasers. Our sailors compete in regattas around the Bay, as well as up and down the West Coast. During the summer PYSF offers fun in-depth summer camps for boys and girls to learn to sail and race in small boats. There are also clinics for experienced sailors. http://www.pysf.us/
HIGH SCHOOL SAILING TEAM
The High School Team is made up of 8th-12th graders. Sailing is done in Flying Juinors (FJs), which is a two person, 15 ft. dinghy with a mainsail and jib. Sailors compete for their schools at events in the Bay Area, as well as up and down the west coast. No experience is necessary to join. A list of current schools at PYSF can be found under “High School” and then “FAQ High School sailing” tab on the pysf.us site. You do not need to attend one of these schools in order to enroll in the program. Participation in every practice and/or ever regatta would be ideal, but is not mandatory. Boats are provided. Info: Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation, www.pysf.us.
SOCCER ORGANIZATIONS
Below are the primary soccer organizations and “parent” soccer club organizations in Palo Alto. Go to their websites to find out how to join a team and which teams are looking for players.
PALO ALTO AYSO SOCCER.
Since 1964 AYSO has been enriching children’s lives with world-class soccer programs that promote a fun, family environment based on Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays, Open Registration, Balanced Teams, Good Sportsmanship, Positive Coaching, Player Development. More than 2000 Palo Alto kids and 450 Palo Alto parents work together each year to enrich our families and community. We produce soccer programs year-round from pre-kinder through high school, and a VIP program for special-needs kids. Our programs adjust field-size, skills training, tactical training, practice length and game length to match the developmental progress of each group. Older divisions play other Regions, Areas and Leagues. Registration, questions, & more info, http://www.ayso26.org/.
PALO ALTO AYSO KINDER SOCCER. (U5-U6)
Enhancing children’s lives through soccer. Nationally accredited youth soccer, designed for age-appropriate enjoyment & learning. We are offering this program for the first time in the spring, responding to overwhelming enthusiasm to our fall program with 320 Palo Alto pre-kinder and kinder-level children. Info and registration, http://www.ayso26.org/soccer-programs/soccer/kinder-league
PALO ALTO SOCCER CLUB (PASC). (U9 – U14)
The Club provides professional coaching, competitive soccer (CYSA/Norcal) at several skill levels, a fun & positive experience while developing skills, technique, game strategy, & teamwork. Tryout schedule, locations, contact info: pasoccerclub.org
Link to Palo Alto Soccer Club Teams looking for players
PALO ALTO SOCCER CLUB (PASC) (U7-U9)
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
Join our Junior Trees Development Program, where learning soccer is fun!
For girls and boys, 5 to 9 years old. The goal of this program is to promote an environment in which young soccer enthusiasts have fun and develop soccer skills at the same time. Each training session is conducted by positive, experienced, licensed coaches. Special attention is given to ensure that every player is engaged fully during practice and participates in small-sided games. Information: http://pasoccerclub.org/winter-youth-development-program-open-for-registration/
PSV UNION FOOTBALL CLUB GIRLS COLLEGE PREP & ELITE SOCCER ACADEMY PSV Union Football Club Girls College Prep & Elite Soccer Academy (U7-U18)
PSV UNION FOOTBALL CLUB JUNIOR ACADEMY
For more information: www.psvunion.org (link broken, sorry) or email: manager@psvunion.org
STANFORD SOCCER CLUB. (U9 thru U18)
The teams are coached professionally and managed by committed parents. Player selection is done by the team. The club is based in Palo Alto. The teams compete in CYSA/Norcal soccer leagues in the Bay area. Further info: http://stanfordsoccerclub.org/
SWIMMING
ALTO SWIMMING
Alto Stroke School offers instruction aimed at teaching proper technique to beginner, intermediate, and advanced swimmers. Instructors tailor each session to fit the needs of their student(s). Swimmers and parents can expect to see measurable success across each session. Graduates from the Alto Swim School are ready to continue swimming for fitness or competition.
PALO ALTO STANFORD AQUATICS
PASA Rinconada offers non-competitive classes for swimmers with focus on stroke instruction, improvement of stroke technique, endurance, and most of all fun! Classes are offered Fall, Winter, and Spring. Non-competitive swimmers do not participate in swim meets and there are no volunteer obligations. Come as often as you can, and our coaches will help you reach your goals for the class. Registration info: https://www.teamunify.com/
TENNIS
KIM GRANT TENNIS ACADEMY (6-17)
Beginner through advanced instruction located on Middlefield road next to the Winter Lodge.
http://www.kimgranttennis.com/
VOLLEYBALL
PALO ALTO VOLLEYBALL CLUB.
Palo Alto Volleyball Club is a community oriented, competitive volleyball club, founded in 2001 by Kevin Coleman, and based in Palo Alto. Jekara Wilson is the new Director and Head Coach. The purpose of the club is to give girls an opportunity to learn to play competitive volleyball in fun, and local environment. We encourage girls to participate in multiple activities, volleyball being one. We believe well rounded student-athletes develop the skills needed to excel in many facets of life. We offer clinics and recreation play for girls as early as elementary school, and we form competitive teams beginning in 6th grade. Our teams continue as long as there is a core group of committed athletes. Our club teams tend to be very successful, often winning tournaments and usually placing in the top tier of rankings by age groups. For more information goto: http://pavbc.com/ (as of January 2023, link is not responding).
PALO ALTO ELITE VOLLEYBALL CLUB.
Palo Alto Elite Volleyball Club is a not-for-profit, competitive, community-based club dedicated to helping players develop excellent volleyball skills and compete locally, regionally, and nationally, while learning the life lessons sports offer. The club supports, and is part of, the Positive Coaching Alliance.
Info about PA Elite & our teams: www.paloaltoelite.com
PALO ALTO YOUTH VOLLEYBALL (Ages 7-15)
The United States Youth Volleyball League’s mission is to provide every child between the ages of 7 and 15 a chance to learn and play volleyball in a fun, safe, supervised environment. One of the main tenets of the program is to encourage children to do their best with their abilities. With an emphasis on positive reinforcement, the program seeks to build confidence and self-esteem in each child. Practices typically are on Tuesdays for 1 hour and games/tournaments on Saturday mornings for 1-3 hours. http://www.usyvl.org/programs/find-a-program?PaloAlto=
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