Youth Programs
After School Program returns August 10th
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After School Program returns August 10th <>
Our youth are champions in the making
At EOBA, we believe East Oakland youth already carry the strength, creativity, and leadership our community needs. Our role is to help that potential grow.
Through our after-school program, summer camp, boxing, mentorship, gardening, academic support, and paid youth leadership opportunities, we create a safe and welcoming place where young people can learn, move, work, lead, and belong.
Youth come to EOBA for homework help, healthy meals, physical activity, friendship, and support, but they also also develop confidence, healthier habits, job skills, leadership experience, and a deeper connection to their community.
From our youngest students to our teen and young adult interns, EOBA helps youth see what is possible for themselves and gives them real opportunities to practice becoming the leaders, workers, mentors, and change makers East Oakland needs.
All About Our Youth Programming
Our youth come into our doors with a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, and lived experiences that require a multifaceted approach in order to best serve them.
By choosing to focus on the whole person in everything we do, we believe we are able to have the greatest impact on our students, as well as model for them the ways in which wellness intersect and overlap in a person’s life. EOBA implements the dimensions of wellness into our programming from a young age to aid students in internalizing what wellness means to them and plan for how they intend to live a life of wellbeing.
Academic Enrichment
Student Preparation
Academic programming encompasses three main areas: literacy/tutoring, promoting executive function, and college readiness.
Grounded in Literacy
All students participate in reading and homework time every day in order to provide as much support as possible in achieving their academic goals.
Boxing, Sports, Exercise
Self-defense as a Cornerstone
Through boxing, we work to counter the narrative that boxing is a violent sport dominated by arrogance, teaching youth to lead through defensive behaviors.
Boxing and So Much More
Students also learn the essentials of basketball, soccer, volleyball, and golf through rotating clubs and field trips to local partners.
Creative Design
Encouraging Creativity
Creating art has been proven for decades to provide benefits in stress relief, critical thinking, academic performance, and self-reflection.
Exposure to New Art Forms
Students are trained in visual art forms (including digital) and have opportunities to have their art exposed to the community at large.
Culinary
Cooking with a Purpose
Marginalized communities, like those served by EOBA, are disproportionately affected by poor nutrition and food deserts.
Modeling Farm-to-Table
By teaching new healthy recipes each week, youth are exposed to new flavors, cooking techniques, and more nutritious ways to enjoy their family favorites.
Garden
An EOBA Staple Grows and Grows
EOBA started its organic garden 20+ years ago as a means of promoting healthy eating for youth. Since then, the Garden has become a favorite activity.
Understanding Food and Climate
Students grow and learn to prepare tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and more. In doing so, they build a respect for the environment that provides their food.
Science
The Wonders of Science
By completing biology, chemistry, and physics projects, students learn that science is everywhere and is more than just pages in a textbook.
Becoming a Scientist
Many youth take pride in being a ‘scientist’ and are encouraged to explore their scientific curiosity together in topics such as magnetism and DIY robotics.
Technology & Media
It Takes More Than a “Like” to Succeed
While youth love being on the internet, many lack the computational thinking skills needed to succeed in their academics.
Bringing Tech to East Oakland Youth
Our media instruction has grown to meet the needs of our youth by offering instruction in entry-level coding, video filming and editing, and blogging.
Theater
Artistic Expression
Students learn aspects of theater production including scriptwriting, character development, and set, prop and costume design.
Creating Agency through Storytelling
Through our theater program, youth tell the stories that are most important to them and find a connection to others in the narratives they choose to tell.
We can make a profound impact by helping youth discover their passions and talents
Summer Camp
Summer at EOBA was filled with fun, learning, and unforgettable experiences, thanks to our incredible community partners. Our friends at the 81st Avenue Library welcomed our campers throughout the summer with hands-on activities that sparked curiosity and imagination. Youth enjoyed story time, dance and sing-alongs, exciting magic shows, and even had the chance to see and touch exotic animals, reptiles, and insects. Every visit inspired a love of reading, learning, and exploration, and we are grateful for a partnership that continues to enrich the lives of our youth.
Library Field Trip
Sempre Verde Park quickly became our summer home away from home. With wide open spaces to run, play, and explore, our campers made lasting memories through games, team activities, and epic water balloon battles that helped everyone cool off on the hottest days. The park gave our youth the freedom to be active while providing a safe, welcoming environment where friendships grew and laughter filled every visit.
Park Day
Fairyland Trip
One of the highlights of the summer was our trip to Children's Fairyland at Lake Merritt, one of Oakland's true treasures. Our campers explored storybook-themed playsets, climbed through castles, rode kid-sized attractions, watched live puppet theater, and let their imaginations run wild around every corner. Our staff definitely stayed on their toes as the excitement never slowed down. After a day full of adventure, everyone enjoyed lunch together overlooking beautiful Lake Merritt, making it a perfect day of fun, friendship, and unforgettable memories.
Movie Day: Toy Story
No summer is complete without a summer blockbuster, and this year our campers headed to Century 16 Bayfair Mall to see Toy Story 5. From the moment the lights dimmed, the theater was filled with laughter, excitement, and plenty of cheering for favorite characters old and new. Sharing popcorn, watching a great movie with friends, and spending the day together made this outing one of the highlights of an unforgettable summer at EOBA
