Sonoma to fund expanded youth summer programs

Free and low-cost leadership programs, college tours, camps and tennis lessons available|

The City of Sonoma does not operate its own Parks and Recreation Department or create recreation programming. But new funding from the City is making possible an expanded slate of summer programs for Sonoma Valley youth and teens.

The City has partnered with local non-profits with youth recreation programs to fund enhanced summer programs to provide 'safe, supportive and equitable recreation opportunities for youth and teens throughout Sonoma Valley.'

The newly subsidized programs include:

Specialty day camps at the Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley

Scholarships are available for teen specialty camps including Basic Electronics, App and Game Development, Spy Camp, Lego Robotics, Minecraft Coding, Photography and Animation. Scholarships are also available for youth day camps such as Sports Week, DIY, Backyard Palooza and California Adventure. To apply for scholarships, call Jess Calderon-Ponce at 938-8544 ext. 102. 100 Verano St.

College tours for teens

Teens can go on weekly college campus tours, have weekly cooking programs, sports nights, volunteer opportunities, as well as field trips to a Giants game and Six Flags, through the BG&C Club Maxwell Village. To register or for scholarships, call Eric Gonzalez at 775-1284 or drop in after noon at the Teen Center. 19245 Sonoma Highway.

Teen leadership course at the Sonoma Community Center

A two week course on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from July 15 to July 26, from 10 a.m. to 3, will pair inspirational leaders with high quality art lessons for local teens ages 11 to 13. There will be workshops on iPhone photography, fiber arts and teen writing topics interspersed with educational sessions on civic engagement, financial planning and speaking from the heart. Participation in the six-part course is $40 per person or $36 for SCC members and scholarships are available. Funding from the City subsidizes the majority of this program. To register, call 996-4626 x1 or visit sonomacommunitycenter.org/arts-leadership-clinic. Registration deadline is Monday, July 1. To request a scholarship, call the SCC at 938-4626 x1. It is located at 276 East Napa St. sonomacommunitycenter.org

Group tennis lessons by the Sonoma Valley Tennis Association

Join instructor Felipe Monroy for free group tennis lessons for junior high and high school students at Maxwell Park. Monroy is a bi-lingual USPTA tennis pro. Sessions are fully subsidized and limited to 8 students each.

Sessions for Junior High School Students

Session 1 – June 17, 18 and 19 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Session 2 – June 24, 25 and 26 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Sessions for high school students (beginners)

Session 3 - June 17, 18 and 19 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Session 4 - June 24, 25 and 26 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Email sonomatennis@icloud.com or text (916) 879-0212 to register.

Learn more about the City's Recreation and Community Services Program at sonomacity.org/departments/recreation.

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