best 13 programs in Oakland, CA

All aboard the STEAM train! Here at Mad Science of Greater Salt Lake, we're not just about science; we're about making it grand and accessible. Our passionate team of professional educators, who double as entertainers, are here to guide your child on an exhilarating journey through the fascinating world of science. We're committed to making learning fun, interactive, and engaging, and we do this through our variety of programs that include after-school activities, workshops, and summer camps. Ready to put a unique spin to your child’s birthday party? We have got you covered! Our parties are far from ordinary, filled with thrilling science demonstrations, hands-on experiments, and captivating activities. We guarantee to turn any party into an exciting event that effortlessly combines learning and fun. We're committed to creating memorable experiences that will not only entertain your child but also instill in them a love for science. Here at Mad Science of Greater Salt Lake, our offerings don’t stop at parties and after-school programs. We also bring the wonder of science to schools and businesses through our educational assemblies, captivating shows, and interactive booths. Our vast experience working with children of all ages, from toddlers to tweens, makes us experts at nurturing your child’s natural curiosity. We firmly believe that introducing them to science at a young age can spark their imagination and fuel their desire to learn more.

KinderGuitar can provide your child with the opportunity to experience the joy of making music. The guitar is an ideal instrument to begin a journey of music appreciation and exploration. With its global popularity, flexibility, affordability and portability, the guitar provides endless possibilities for your child to learn how to play and to develop an appreciation for music. With the help of KinderGuitar’s curriculum, your child can explore the world of music and gain an appreciation for music, and the enrichment it provides to their life and the lives of those around them.

Established in 2007, Musically Minded Academy is a non-profit corporation offering a unique music education program and an empowering environment for students and teachers to connect. At Musically Minded Academy, we strive to provide students with the best music education possible, giving them the tools to not only master their instrument but also to express themselves and build self-confidence. Our unique programs are designed to create a stimulating learning environment with close student-teacher relationships. Our mission is to foster creativity and build community through performance based music education. We believe in fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for our students, so they can experience success every day. This is why Musically Minded Academy has become a respected and admired institution, providing excellent music education programs and a close-knit community for all our students.

Junior Center of Art and Science Summer Camp is the perfect place for rising 1st-8th graders to express their creative side. Our camp is led by professional artists and educators who provide a safe, open, and creative environment for campers to take risks and explore. Campers will have the opportunity to try their hand at a variety of arts and science activities, such as carpentry, game design, comics, and more. They'll be able to express themselves through art and science while having fun in the process. At Junior Center of Art and Science Summer Camp, we offer full day, arts-integrated engagements for young artists, makers, and thinkers. Our campers will be able to explore their creativity and learn to take risks in a safe and encouraging atmosphere. Professional artists and educators provide an open space for campers to engage in activities such as carpentry, game design, comics, and much more. Campers are able to have fun and express themselves through a variety of mediums. Junior Center of Art and Science Summer Camp is the perfect place for rising 1st-8th graders who want to explore their creative side. Our campers will be able to take risks and try their hand at a wide variety of arts and science activities in a safe and open environment. Professional artists and educators are on hand to provide guidance and inspiration. Campers will have the opportunity to engage in activities such as carpentry, game design, comics, and more, allowing them to have fun and explore their creativity.

At UAC, we believe that summer camp should be a meaningful and unique experience. Children are free to explore and discover in a safe and stimulating environment. Our programs take children on educational field trips to the best museums, science centers and parks in the Bay Area. Qualified instructors with subject knowledge and experience working with children lead our programs, providing an in-depth source of information for students. We strive to create a summer camp experience that will be both fun and educational, giving your child an opportunity to follow their own interests and discover new ones.

In 1988, Jill Vialet and Mary Marx co-founded MOCHA, an organization that brings innovative arts education programs to East Bay schools and communities. Through their work, MOCHA has been able to reach children in vulnerable communities, in public and private schools, in libraries, and at the Oakland-based studios and gallery. MOCHA works with artists, educators, parents, and students to use the power of art as a learning tool. Arts education is essential for young people’s social, emotional, and cultural growth. In the years since its inception, MOCHA has provided hands-on art learning experiences to nearly one million children. Through its programs, MOCHA has seen the positive effects art can have on children’s creativity, cognitive development, and sense of community.

At Mr. D’s Music Club, kids of all ages have the opportunity to explore music and creativity in a safe and inspiring environment. What started as a one-week summer camp in 2011 has blossomed into a full-fledged after school program and summer camp that serves hundreds of kids each year. The club is owned and operated by Stephen Duffy, an award-winning singer and songwriter with over two decades in the music industry. Stephen has produced and composed over a hundred albums and has been commissioned to compose for theater, dance, and video. He is currently the music director at Glenwood School in San Rafael, California, and is dedicated to helping children discover the joy of music. Mr. D's Music Club is widely recognized for its quality programs and the inspiration it brings to young kids. With the guidance of Stephen Duffy and his team of passionate instructors, kids of all ages can explore music and creativity in a safe and inspiring environment.

Rock Paper Scissors Collective is a unique nonprofit organization that encourages creativity and collaboration to help strengthen local communities. Through workshops, events, exhibitions, and retail of independently produced goods, RPSC promotes the sharing of ideas, skills, and resources. The organization also works to explore alternative models through non-hierarchical, consensus-based organizing. All activities are led by members and volunteers, and the organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. RPSC's mission is to celebrate art, craft, education, and performance by offering low-cost creative workshops and a variety of community events. These activities are designed to engage and empower youth in the community, as well as encourage sustainable creative practices. Rock Paper Scissors Collective provides an invaluable service to local communities. It's an organization that brings together members and volunteers to foster creativity and collaboration. Through their unique approach to non-hierarchical, consensus-based organizing, they are able to provide a safe and inspiring space for people to share ideas, skills, and resources. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, RPSC is dedicated to encouraging sustainable creative practices and exploring alternative models.

It is with this spirit that Temple Beth Abraham (TBA) is proud to endorse the Committee on Jewish Laws and Standards’ December 6, 2006 decision to permit Conservative rabbis to perform commitment ceremonies and allow the ordination of gays and lesbians. We also enthusiastically support the USCJ’s decision to revise its hiring policies and consider applicants for United Synagogue jobs regardless of sexual orientation. At TBA, we strive to create a synagogue community in which all members and visitors feel welcome and included. We are dedicated to providing an environment where everyone can come together in prayer and study, in celebration and grief, in joy and in sorrow. We look forward to continuing to provide this welcoming atmosphere for all of our members and visitors.

Our specially designed Gymboree Play & Music classes are the perfect way to give your little one the best start in life. Combining new technology with classic learning techniques, our classes are designed to engage young minds and promote physical, cognitive, and social/emotional development. With an extensive range of options to choose from, there’s something for babies and toddlers up to 5 years of age. For over 40 years, Gymboree Play & Music has been the global leader in early childhood development programs. Our unique curriculum is designed to foster creativity and confidence in young children, with a focus on social/emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Get your little one off to the best possible start with our specially designed classes, which use a mix of new technology and classic learning techniques to keep their interest and promote their growth. With classes suitable for babies and toddlers up to 5 years old, Gymboree Play & Music has something for everyone.