Investing in Oakland’s Youth Through Access and Opportunity
Youth Scholarships
At OPRF, we believe every child in Oakland deserves the chance to play, learn, and grow in community green spaces. We offer several ways to support Oakland youth access to programs within the Oakland Park system.
See a breakdown below of programs that are important for the community, care and mentoring that help shape who young people become:
At recreation centers across the city, children spend their summer days immersed in games, arts and crafts, sports, nature play, and local field trips with available funding. Town Camp creates a strong sense of belonging and offers kids a chance to make friends, be active, and explore their creativity in a safe, welcoming space.
Town Camp scholarships open opportunities for kids who wouldn’t otherwise have access to these camps or experiences , helping EVERY child feel included, supported, and part of something special.
Science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities ignite curiosity and build real-world problem-solving skills. Participants might design bridges, mix natural dyes, or explore robotics and coding.
These experiences are powerful, creative, and deeply engaging, especially for youth in communities that have fewer opportunities for STEAM enrichment. While these fields drive future careers and innovation, they’re among the least equitably funded in out-of-school programs. Investing in STEAM and integrating it into park programs helps close this opportunity gap and allows all children to see themselves as creators, builders, and inventors.
With dedicated funding allocated to STEAM, more young people can explore these essential fields, not just those whose families can afford enrichment.
Children at select Town Camp sites participate in swim lessons, learning to tread water, and feel safe and confident in the pool. These are essential, life-saving skills that also open up a lifetime of recreation and health benefits.
Swim access is not equitable. National data shows children of color are far less likely to have had swim instruction, which increases risk of drowning. OPRYD’s aquatics programs help change that, providing trusted, local access to pools and trained instructors.
Scholarship support for aquatics gives ALL kids the chance to develop swimming skills and feel confident and safe in the water.
The CIT program is a leadership and workforce development track for teens interested in mentoring younger campers and building real-world job skills. Participants receive structured training in communication, group management, and youth development, and then put those skills into practice alongside Town Camp staff.
This experience is a workforce development pipeline. CITs learn what it means to be part of a team, take on responsibility, lead younger campers, and give back to their communities. Many go on to become paid staff members with OPRYD as camp counselors or lifeguards or to a related field. For teens just beginning to think about employment, leadership, and identity, the CIT program offers a meaningful first step, with mentorship, structure, and encouragement to grow.
Funding CIT programs make this workforce development pathway accessible to motivated teens from all backgrounds and gives them the chance to build confidence, skills, and a sense of purpose.
For additional questions or if you would like to support now, please contact Kira Pascoe- hello@oaklandparks.org