There are few times in my life where I drop off my son for a camp or after school program and feel…read morelike he will be engaged in ways that he's never been before. That's how I feel about Tinkering school. My Son,6yrs old, literally talks my ear off after coming home from here. He talk about the human size Hungry-Hungry Hippo he's making out of pulleys and wood, about the working Air hockey table and how good he is getting at using real tools. Joshua and Nathan and everyone else there are kind, attentive and passionate about what they do. I leave feeling like I'm actually enriching my child's life instead of just leaving him with somebody to babysit him. Registration was easy and They are pretty good at getting back to my emails. Not sure why the bad review here said it was hard. I guess I'm just good at using a computer.

Our son attended this summer camp for the first time. We were so excited because he's always asking…read moreto build stuff using tools/power tools. Our experience was disappointing. Since the camp is an extension of Brightworks School, there are kids who know the ropes and are familiar with the way things work. Unfortunately, the camp isn't set up to really introduce kids who are new to the process of building. Every day our son came home and said he hadn't built anything because he didn't know what to build. Yes, some kids will dive right in and come up with something. Others need instruction, and that's normal. Brightworks has a reputation for being child-led to a very high degree, but I take issue with them not teaching our son about the materials and tools so he could feel comfortable and build something, which he did do on the two final days. When I asked for someone to give him some guidance or ideas, I was told they don't like to give the kids ideas because then they all do the same thing. Yes, yes, I agree, but that applies to the kids with experience, not a kid who's been there 2 days and has no idea what to do. That takes the concept of child-led too far. A school friend was with him at camp and they reported that the instructors were snappy with the kids. Sigh In addition, on their day at Crissy Field, he returned home with the worst sunburn he has ever had. When I inquired about why nobody had put sunscreen on him, I was told that they had given the kids sunscreen and he had applied it himself. He is not yet 7. He is not responsible for sunscreen application to protect his skin from damage. Adults are responsible for that. Even if he takes off his hat, it's the adults who have to enforce the safety rules. Given our experience, we asked if we could un-enroll him for the following week and get a refund. They declined, much to our disappointment.

We had our child go to camp here and he came back so happy to discuss what happened. He learned so…read moremuch and was excited to tell me about it. We decided to then have his younger brother's birthday party there and it was the easiest birthday party I've ever thrown. All I did was order pizza and have it delivered to the place. Was such a great experience

We held our child's birthday party at STEMful and the team exceeded our expectations. It was well…read morerun. The activity was fun. And everyone had a chance to connect. I'd recommend the location for a birthday party or special event.

Our family had long appreciated the mission and values of Camp Tawonga. One of our children…read moreattended Taste of Camp and had a truly wonderful experience. As someone who works in the Jewish community, I had frequently recommended Tawonga to others, believing in the strength of its programming and community spirit. Unfortunately, our experience left us feeling deeply disappointed. Our child was registered for a summer session but was unable to attend due to the sudden passing of a close family member just days before camp began. As the family member's funeral was held out of state and organized by us, attending camp was simply not possible. We informed camp staff in advance, sharing both the situation and the fact that we are a financial aid family, and asked if any credit or accommodation could be made for a future session. We received single-sentence emails with zero condolences stating that the policy was no refund (which we didn't request) or credit. It was such a strange response we wondered if it was AI. Despite multiple follow-ups from us during a time of grief, we were told nothing could be done because the deadline had passed. At long last, the only acknowledgment of our loss was a brief line hoping the funeral preparations were going well--no further condolences or recognition of our child's disappointment were offered. By contrast, another camp we had registered with for a different child responded with immediate compassion--offering a partial refund without being asked, sending condolences, and even making a small kind gesture when our child was finally able to attend for a shortened period. As a family raising Jewish children and deeply involved in the Jewish community, this lack of empathy from a camp we had held in such high regard was especially painful. We weren't asking for a refund, just understanding and flexibility in a time of extraordinary personal loss. We struggled to name the Jewish value being demonstrated by Tawonga and still do. We will never return to Tawonga in the future--both due to financial constraints and a lack of confidence that our children's emotional needs would be supported in difficult times. The Jewish sleepaway camp we've attended for the past several years has actually lived and walked the values they advertise, and we couldn't be happier. We share this with the hope that it encourages a deeper reflection on how grief, compassion, and community care are handled. We continue to believe in the power of the Jewish community and wish all campers and families positive experiences in the future. -- A Jewish Family in the Bay Area

My kids had an incredible time at Camp Tawonga and will be returning next year. They are a…read morefantastic team, running a fun, safe, joy-filled and child-centered experience.

Camp for incoming 6th graders was good…read more Camp for incoming 4th graders is boring and basically like a babysitting camp. Disappointed in staffs unwillingness to work through this with us despite saying we wanted to keep our one kid in but didn't want to keep our other kid in who was having such a lame experience. Very expensive for what it is for anything under incoming 6th graders

I am a kid who went to Camp Galileo. Here's a knock knock joke:…read more"Knock knock" "Whose there?" "Camp Galileo" "Camp Galileo who" "Camp Galileo is poo poo doo doo dusty musty crusty rusty usty lusty fusty chusty moldy oldy foldy zesty preppy googlechrome chromosome ice cream cone chicken bone all alone on the phone no way home" In their ad, they have a giant grassy field, but in reality, they have a tiny playground no bigger than half a basketball court. Their ad also shows kids making stuff with power tools, but actually we spent 5 minutes making stuff out of cardboard and the rest of the time was spent in a tiny room with everyone in the camp going crazy. Another thing you should know is that you don't take home most of the stuff you make. Also all of their things are knock-offs: their mascot is called Clucky which is obviously copied from Steve and Kate's Camp's mascot, Chucky. The also have things called cluck bucks which are copied from Steve and Kate's Camp's Moose Bucks. We didn't even play the games that they said we would play today. In idea lab, they said we would make a game involving our heads and take them home, but instead we built towers out of paper and threw them away. On Friday they have pie day where kids are supposed to pie teachers, but the teachers make a list of kids they will pie without permission. There are so many more things that are wrong with this camp, but I'm too slow at typing to list them all.

What an amazingly creative atmosphere! It's a tiny shop filled with magical little things to…read moreinspire creativity of kids and adults alike. All proceeds go to their tutoring program. Definitely stop by and make a purchase or donation and enjoy the woodland vibe. They have a seed bank too!

After our mini golf, delicious food and drinks adventure, we ventured out into the nearby…read moreneighborhood. Our second stop was supposed to be SomiSomi located just steps away from Spark Social, but it isn't open yet. Bummer. But then we saw 826 Valencia - Mission Bay Center Woodland Creature Outfitters, and we both were excited to check it out. We felt the magic as soon as we entered. This place looks like it was built for forest nymphs, magic creatures, and those who believes. Lots of interesting cool products, mix with things you may find from magic potion shops, and artsy workshops. We also learned that this organization is a writing center that serves under-resourced students. And this center is also part of a long-term redevelopment plan for this neighborhood to integrate low-income housing into market-rate housing to become one of San Francisco's most thoughtfully integrated neighborhoods/communities.

Tucked in the Outer Richmond, just down the way, It's the…read moreperfect stop to brighten your day. Hit the beach or Golden Gate Park when you're through, Or make Butterfly Joint the destination for you. At first glance, you might think it's just coffee and treats, But there's something even more special behind the scenes. Danny has been working with kids for 30 plus years, Building confidence, life skills, and plenty of cheers. The workshops are hands-on with woodworking fun, Teaching real tools, not toy versions for everyone. But before the projects begin, there's one lesson that's clear: Manners, respect, and safety always come first here. The kids even head to the park during the day, Mixing fresh air and adventure into the play. They leave with a project they're proud to display, And lessons that will stick with them long after today. Meanwhile, the coffee window is reason enough to stop by, Serving donuts, cookies, sweet treats, and my favorite, chai. Espresso, pastries, and all the classics too, There's something delicious waiting for you. Whether you're dropping off your kids for an unforgettable day, Or just grabbing a coffee before heading on your way, Butterfly Joint is one of those neighborhood gems you'll adore, Come for the caffeine, stay for the community and leave with so much more.

Just a great hyper-local spot that serves an excellent coffee complimented by a selection of hand…read morepies and other small bites. No indoor service, all transpires through a window giving onto the sidewalk. The interior is dedicated to woodworking classes for kids, another cool idea if you ask me. Service was friendly and prompt from barista Erin and you can tell this place has a lot of locals within walking distance. A cool, literally a sidewalk café -- the kind of place that feels like true San Francisco. Solid, friendly, quality.

My almost 7-year-old has been attending this school since she was 5. Why? Because she genuinely…read moreenjoys it. She loves that she is never bored. Every week she learns something new: new styles, materials, and techniques. Sometimes they focus on painting, other times on sculpture or different forms of art. Katia and Sara have both been her teachers, and she has felt happy and supported with all of them. Like with many activities at this age, it took a couple of weeks for her to fully adjust and feel familiar with the environment but consistency made a big difference. As parents, we appreciate seeing her come home excited and proud of what she created. It is easy to notice how much she has progressed over time and we get very excited when we see her project. We also appreciate the communication style of the school. They provide a high-level overview each week of what the kids will be working on, which keeps parents informed without overwhelming us with too much information. On the administrative side, tuition payments and renewals are simple, and the staff has always been friendly and helpful whenever we have had questions or needed help resolving any mistakes on our part. We also love the location. Depending on the day and who is with me, it is easy to wait nearby at the library, a coffee shop, or a restaurant while class is in session.

Highly recommend Advanced Watercolor with Luka. He's an amazing instructor and I learned a lot in…read more10 weeks, including new techniques, breaking down reference photos, and a values study process. I grew a lot from this class, and received specific feedback and guidance for my needs. I loved the format of this class and how it challenged me to take on complex subject matters. By the end, I had more confidence, a more experimental approach, and an even greater love for watercolor. I'm excited to take more classes here!

SFSU Gator Camp is an incredible experience for kids and a great value for parents. My kids want…read moreto return next year without hesitation. They have a ton of fun playing a variety of sports and games while strengthening their bodies. Their leadership is the head of the Dept. of Kinesiology at SFSU - which means they are learning solid skills. If you want to get your child in the pool every day, this is a great option. But maybe you want him to play tennis. That is also on the daily menu. As is martial arts and team sports. The bottom line is that real skills will be learned. We signed up for all six weeks. My kids started camp having never held a tennis racket, now they are serving the ball and playing with confidence. All of this with university level facilities! It's easy, easy drop off and pick up. Just pack a few things and lunch is provided. This is the most rewarding, stress free summer my kids and we parents have ever had!

My kids, Cameron and Morgan had a blast this summer and would love to come back next year. It…read moresounds like you made all the rotations really fun. Lily