FAQs

Is your question not here? Send your question to info@youthsf.org

General

  • We have 2 physical Lab Locations in San Francisco, CA. 

    1) The Red Lab, 438 Taraval St.  

    2) The Blue Lab, 345 8th Ave.

  • YouthSF provides numerous services, however, our core after school program is free to students with a recommended donation if you can afford it.

  •  We always appreciate donations! You may go directly to our donation page  to make a recurring or one time donation by credit card or PayPal. Check with your employer if they make matching donations. 

    If you prefer to donate by  check, please send to:

    • YouthSF, 2722 Mission St.,  San Francisco, CA 94112

    We also welcome donations of materials, supplies and equipment. Please contact us at info@youthsf.org if you have something you’d like to donate.

  • Every day is different, but most sessions begin with a “Jam Session” where students gather together and a Facilitator presents the project or experiment of the day along with other options. Students are introduced to cool topics with a video showing new discoveries or topics in STEM areas.

    Students choose which projects, games, activities they would like to participate in. We also have homework help available and many students choose to complete their homework at the Lab. 

  • Each student receives a YouthSF Passport and earns a stamp in the booklet after each completed project. The diverse range of projects encourages students to explore new subject matter.

  • We encourage students to  attend the whole session to take full advantage of the program,  but students are welcome to join at any point during their session. 

    However it is very important that you pick up your student on time at the end of the session. Our Facilitators need that time to either prepare for the next session of the day or cleaning and preparing for the next day.

    If you know you will be unavoidably delayed, please call us at 415-728-1558. Repeated late pickups may result in review of your student’s participation in the program.

After School

  • YouthSF is available for students in grades 1 - 8 residing in San Francisco who attend SFUSD or private schools. We occasionally have programs available for Kindergarten students.

  • Open enrollment as long as there is space available. 

    Register online - Select up to 3 sessions per week on the days you would like to  attend. We will contact you to let you know if there is available space in the sessions you have indicated. For any questions, contact us at info@youthsf.org.

  • For each of the Labs, a parent/guardian must come to the Lab upstairs to pick up or drop off students. We do not have drive up service. 

    For West Portal students attending a session directly after school, we offer a pick up and walking service. Students gather at the school and YSF Facilitators walk with the students to the Red Lab. Please let us know when you register if you want to take advantage of this service.

  • While the labs are open 5 days a week, students are allowed 2 weekday sessions. 

    1 weekend session per week in order for YouthSF to serve as many students as possible.

  • Please email info@youthsf.org as soon as you know you will miss a session or call 415-728-1558 the day of. We request 24 hours notice if possible.

Work With Us

  • Yes! YouthSF began with mobile activities brought directly to school for after school enrichment. We are open to new projects and locations. Please contact info@youthsf.org to begin the conversation

  • We are always looking for bright, motivated, enthusiastic people to join us in our mission. Please send an inquiry to info@youthsf.org.

  • Yes. We have had many people volunteer over the years.

Health & Safety

  • We have evacuation plans at each of our sites, and camp staff is trained on what to do in the event of almost any emergency, including earthquakes, fires, airborne exposures, and more. When these situations arise, you can expect to receive communication via your primary email with details. If necessary, we will also reach out to you via phone.

  • Yes, anyone who is picking up your child from camp must bring their ID and be listed on your child’s account as an authorized pick-up.

  • We do everything we can to keep your campers safe and we’re prepared to support them in the event of an injury. All of our on-site camp management staff are first aid and CPR certified. We notify parents of minor injuries (like scraped knees) during the check-out process every day. In the event of a more serious injury, we will call 911 if needed, and notify the parents or guardians immediately.

  • Campers are placed in small group cohorts with at least 1 staff member with the group at all times. During class time, we maintain a camper-to-staff ratio of 12:1 for 2nd-8th grade and 10:1 for 1st. Campers are never alone—even trips to the restroom happen with a buddy or in a group