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How BGCSF is Recreating the College Tour Experience
As an organization, we make it a priority to always meet our kids where they are. This year, we evolved our spring break college tour to do exactly that. After two tough years of experiencing the pandemic as a teen, we knew that back-to-back campus tours were not going to serve our youth in the best way possible. We decided that — in addition to a traditional college tour — we would transform Camp Mendocino into a college campus. 35 teens were at Camp and you can check out what we did here.
This expanded experience is providing teens with a taste of what it’s like to live and learn away from home at a time when navigating such a major transition is more daunting than ever. The youth spent time participating in college-themed workshops, learning about residential campus living, and enjoying some fun and much needed peer to peer interactions.
Workshops were taught by our BGCSF staff in their areas of expertise. Topics include Applying to College 101, The First Generation College Journey, The Study Abroad Experience, and Types of College Pathways. Our Behavioral Health Services team was also there leading a session specifically designed to support the transition to college and address any pandemic-related stress and anxiety.
At BGCSF, our comprehensive High School Services program supports our teens from their middle school transition through to the college prep and application process. Beyond college tours, we provide free tutoring, financial support for college applications, and our staff are right there to advise throughout the application and acceptance process. Last year, we connected teens to more than $267,000 in college scholarships.
We are always proud of our teens and staff for their commitment to this program but even more so this year. We hope you will take the time to check out our photo album!
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At Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Every day, our staff focus on creating safe spaces, meaningful relationships, and high-quality programs that help youth thrive.While we are not experts in areas such as immigration, food security, or healthcare, we understand that challenges such as this affect many families we serve. To help connect families with reliable sources of information and support, we’ve compiled a list of suggested community resources to investigate further.
This week, our Citywide Youth of the Year, Elda, competed in Boys & Girls Clubs of America's 2025 National Youth of the Year competition in Los Angeles. While she did not take home the national title, Elda’s recognition as one of six finalists nationwide is an incredible achievement and a testament to her determination, leadership, and the support of her community.
In a time marked by division, growing uncertainty, and financial instability, the families we serve are carrying a lot—and so are young people. From global conflict, political tensions, natural disasters, government funding cuts, and immigration enforcement, the emotional weight of the moment is real for families and communities. Kids are absorbing it, often without the tools to understand or express what they’re feeling. That’s why spaces like Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) are more important than ever.
