Let’s Go Kids!
Welcome to Let’s Go Kids! San Francisco Adventures, where exploration meets creativity and learning! Inspired by classic travel guides like Let’s Go!, our summer childcare offering is all about embracing the vibrant spirit of our city and creating unforgettable memories. This program is perfect for parents seeking high-quality childcare between camps and vacations. We offer flexible options, allowing children to join us for the entire six weeks or on a day-to-day basis.
You can find our contact form at the bottom of the page to book your spot or to ask any questions.
A Mother’s Love, A Teacher’s Touch, An Artist’s Eye
When my son Omar was young, I was a stay-at-home mom and art consultant, I discovered the magic of San Francisco through his eyes. Together, we embarked on Muni bus adventures, exploring the nature, arts, and cultural riches of San Francisco. Those early years of exploration are some of our fondest family memories.
This summer, I’m combining my experiences as a San Francisco mom with my skills as a teacher. My aftercare teaching position enables me to create a safe, fun, and educational environment, blending classroom learning with the beauty, excitement, and creativity of San Francisco.
What’s one thing that sets us apart from other camps? It’s a family affair. Meet Omar, my trusted helper and fellow adventurer. As a senior at Galileo High School, Omar brings his passion for sports, gaming, and creativity to the camp. Kids adore his gentle nature and boundless energy.
A Day in the Life at Let’s Go Kids!
Our Summer 2024 camp is designed for curious explorers from 1st to 6th grade, with a maximum of 5 children. This small group setting allows us to focus on the individual needs of each child and family, providing more personalized care and closer attention to each child.
Now, picture this: With a small group of children, your child hops on a local Muni bus to the Presidio. Led by an experienced teacher, the children safely walk through some of San Francisco’s prettiest neighborhoods until they arrive at a beautiful park. Once there, they gather to review the rules and expectations before washing their hands and having a snack.
The children then enjoy supervised free play in one of our national treasures. We venture deeper into the Presidio and find a perfect spot to explore nature through a guided creative activity, such as Nature Mandalas, where we use natural materials to make beautiful designs. Photos are taken of their artwork before having lunch.
After lunch, we have a brief closing circle witha short breathing and gratitude exercise allowing the children to share their experiences and options on the day. Finally, we take the bus back to our home base, where there’s time to unwind before heading home.
On the way home, your child excitedly tells you tomorrow is Library Day! They will have reading free time, explore the library and surrounding neighborhood, and perhaps even participate in a group workshop from the library’s awesome summer programs.
Every day is a new adventure, combining fun and learning. San Francisco is a treasure for kids in the summer, and in our camp, your child will fill their days with exploration, creativity, and joy.
Details and Dates
Availability is limited to 5 children per day.
Let’s Go Kids! San Francisco Adventures will run from June 17th to the 28th and July 8th to August 2nd.
We will not offer child care services the week of July 1st to the 5th.
Our standard operating hours will be 9:00AM to 3:00PM with the option for extended care starting at 8:00AM and ending at 5:00PM.
There will be an additional fee for late pick-ups.
Prices
Per-day and weekly pricing is available.
Single Day Rate: $150 per child
Weekly Rate (booking all 5 days in a week): $500 or $100/day
Booking multiple weeks and children? Please reach out for a quote.
Notes: Lunch and Snacks are brought from home. We may go out on rainy days, please pack weather-appropriate clothes.
More About Lead Teacher Christine Donley, AfterCare Teacher for Presidio Hill School
After working in consulting and operations for corporate, non-profit, and art world clients, I decided to pivot to coaching and teaching. My teaching journey began as a tutor for Lindamood-Bell, where I developed a strong foundation in educational techniques and student engagement. From there, I joined PHS, a progressive private school in San Francisco, as an aftercare and camp teacher.
At PHS, I have had the privilege of caring for children from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to 8th grade. I create and implement various lessons encompassing art, crafts, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), and movement for children from TK to 6th grade. My approach focuses on fostering a creative and supportive environment where children can explore their interests and develop new skills.
In addition to teaching, I’m also a Creativity Coach with Intersection for the Arts, specializing in helping artists and creatives grow from where they are, launching new endeavors and bringing their work to the world.
I find immense joy in blending social-emotional learning (SEL), art and creative practices, and engaging experiences for children and adults. I’m currently pursuing additional certification in Social Emotional Art, a program designed to help educators maximize the benefits of social-emotional art practices.
Through Let’s Go Kids! Exploring San Francisco, I am excited to share the vibrant spirit of our city and create unforgettable memories for the next generation of explorers.
Teacher and Parent References:
Christine served as my 2nd grade art assistant this year, and she was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her enthusiasm and passion for art were evident in everything she did. Christine excelled at engaging with the children, fostering a creative and supportive environment that encouraged them to express themselves freely.
Her assistance with classroom management was invaluable, allowing lessons to run smoothly and efficiently. Christine’s contributions to lesson execution were equally impressive; she brought fresh ideas and a collaborative spirit that enhanced our projects. Additionally, her caring demeanor and good sense of humor made the classroom a joyful and positive place for both students and staff.
Having Christine in the classroom was a delight, and I am confident that her summer workshops will provide children with a wonderful experience. Her fun, caring nature, coupled with her dedication to art, make her an exceptional teacher. I wholeheartedly recommend her and her programs for a memorable and enriching summer.
Sarah Myers, Art Teacher, Presidio Hill School
Christine is an exceptional and highly experienced facilitator whose heart-centered approach to working with kids truly sets her apart. She is skilled at curating joyful learning experiences for kids that are memorable, fun, and safe. Her creative and intuitive teaching style seamlessly blends mindfulness and social-emotional learning with art, movement, and play. Christine is trusted and beloved by our community and deeply values the connections that she forms with families and the students in her care. Her summer sessions will help students form new friendships, develop healthy self-expression, improve social skills, build confidence, and connect with the beauty of the outdoors. Christine is pure sunshine in human form!
Jenna Wolter, Learning Specialist, 5th-8th Grade, Presidio Hill School
As an educator and an artist, Christine brings a unique blend of creativity, passion, and expertise to every learning experience. Her ability to engage with young minds and nurture their artistic talents is unparalleled. Christine goes above and beyond to inspire and empower students to explore their creativity fearlessly. Her encouragement and guidance create a supportive environment where children feel confident to express themselves through various mediums and techniques. She is a dedicated educator who understands the importance of fostering a love for the arts in young learners. Through innovative, hands-on activities, she cultivates a deep appreciation for artistic expression while encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Her passion for the arts and her ability to connect with children on a meaningful level make her an invaluable asset to any learning environment.
Annalisa Oswald, Critic – Illustration, Rhode Island School of Design
I have had the pleasure of working with Christine over the past two years in professional and personal settings, during which time she has consistently demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication in various capacities related to child care and educational support. Christine is always looking for ways to help, whether it is helping sort books in the school library or setting up an engaging activity for students during recess. Christine goes above and beyond her responsibilities as a recess supervisor. She strives to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment that encourages children to explore, be creative, and interact positively with their peers. Her understanding of child development and her ability to gently guide children during playtime have greatly contributed to the children’s social and emotional growth. When Christine provided summer child care for my family, she was nothing short of outstanding. She is reliable, punctual, and has a natural affinity for working with children. She has consistently shown great patience with my twin boys and always brings a little something special to do based on their interests. I am constantly impressed by Christine’s ability to manage the diverse needs of different age groups effectively. Based on my experiences with Christine, I am confident that her summer camps will be engaging, inclusive, safe, and full of adventure.
Alyssa Mastronicola, Librarian, Presidio Hill School
As a parent of a young child, finding a trustworthy and enriching environment for my child during the summer months is of the utmost importance, and I could not recommend Christine more. For the past few years, my family has gotten to know Christine as one of the afterschool program teachers at my daughter’s school. From the moment we met her, it was so clear that Christine has a genuine passion for working with kids. As a mother herself, she has a warmth and fun-loving personality that enables her to truly connect with kids of all ages. She approaches them with a genuine desire to get to know and engage with them in a way that makes kids feel safe and recognized. As an afterschool teacher, she has been instrumental in creating programs that tap into children’s natural curiosity in creative and stimulating ways. The activities strike a perfect balance between fun and educational – from arts and crafts to outdoor adventures in the Presidio – and my daughter was able to explore new interests and develop important skills. With Christine’s guidance, there was a wonderful emphasis on teamwork and inclusion, which fostered a strong sense of community among all the kids in the program. These kids were able to nurture their friendships and learn invaluable social skills. My daughter’s favorite part of her day was this afterschool program, and I know Christine instills a sense of joy and excitement that is truly contagious. I wholeheartedly recommend her program to any parent seeking a nurturing and enriching summer environment for their child.
Denise Lee, Parent, Presidio Hill School
To register your child in Let’s Go Kids! for Summer 2024 or for questions, please fill out the form and we’ll get back to you ASAP:
EVOLVING CREATIVELY 