Boys and Girls Club offers Summer Academy free
The Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County will be offering its Summer Academy program for free this year.
The eight week program mixes academics, arts and sports in hope of preventing what the Boys and Girls Club calls "summer learning loss," a backslide in academic skills over summer vacation.
The academy usually costs families $300 per student, however according to Ron Johnson, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County, rising cost of living has motivated the organization to cut the price of participating entirely.
"With families paying more for basic necessities, we want to provide some relief by offering parents a safe, structured and enriching experience for children. We believe that doing so will further the Club's mission to equip our young people with the personal qualities and skills that will enable them to succeed," Johnson said in a prepared statement.
The Summer Academy will run from June 8 to July 31 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Seaside and Salinas Clubs.
A typical day at the academy starts with an included breakfast and a few hours of academics, then before lunch – which is also included – some sort of sports or physical activity. After lunch activities typically include a mix of reading, leadership exercises and science activities.
There will also be weekly field trips to local attractions like the planetarium at Hartnell college, Asilomar State Beach, the movie theater, Lover’s Point and California’s Great America.
The program culminates in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics showcase highlighting student achievements over the weeks.
Beth Menon Senior Director of Special Events at the Boys and Girls Club said that while in the past the organization has offered financial support for kids wanting to join in the program, this summer is the first time the program has been offered free to everyone.
Menon said summer can be a difficult time for parents who need to find childcare options while they go to work, often at a high price.
"I think we're seeing the need in our county where everything is getting so expensive," Menon said. "So we're trying to do something that can help the community and help our kids and give the parents some relief when it comes to summer."
Menon said that by no means do kids have to live in Seaside or Salinas to join in the program, and that the Boys and Girls Club is currently exploring transportation options, like a shuttle from Marina to Seaside, to make the academy more accessible.
"We're trying to reach more kids that live in our community," Menon said.
Registration is now open to sign up for the Summer Academy. Space is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To find more information and register, visit www.bgcmc.org
Chris Hamilton is a California Local News fellow covering Salinas and the Salinas Valley for The Herald. To find out more about the California Local News Fellowship, visit https://fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/cafellows/
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.