About
The S.T.E.A.M. Program at the Castle includes a tour of Hearst Castle and a visit to San Simeon bay to learn about sea life. Participants take part in a marine biology lesson at San Simeon beach and pier. The program also includes one-on-one discussions with kids about their futures.
• Ages: 11–13 years old
The S.T.E.A.M. Program at the Castle is a special program of The Foundation at Hearst Castle. The Foundation at Hearst Castle offers youth programs for underserved middle school students from underrepresented communities around California, including kids from small farming towns such as Ivanhoe in the San Joaquin Valley, and supports educational, interpretive, and preservation programs for Hearst Castle and California State Parks. For at least one pilot visit, the foundation sponsored transportation and provided a hearty lunch for participating kids. The Foundation at Hearst Castle (formerly Friends of Hearst Castle) was founded in 1985. The Foundation at Hearst Castle’s mission is to support the conservation and restoration of Hearst Castle, and to offer youth programs for underserved middle school students to enhance the appreciation of the art and architecture of this world-class museum and monument, ultimately enriching the visitor experience and inspiring future generations of visionaries. The estate popularly known as Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark. The Foundation at Hearst Castle supports conservation and restoration projects at Hearst Castle, including painting conservation of the Morning Room ceiling and restoration of the Neptune Pool, and provides membership opportunities, educational programs, and special events, including luxe swims in the Neptune Pool. Hearst Castle is described as a world-class museum and monument with architecture, art collection, gardens, ocean and historic pier, and pools. The leadership team of The Foundation at Hearst Castle includes Abraham “Abe” Marquez as President, Michael Young as Executive Director, and Tara Stephenson as Director of Development.
One testimonial about the program describes bringing middle school kids up for a visit to see the Castle and then taking them down to the San Simeon bay to learn about sea life. The first group was from the small farming town of Ivanhoe in the San Joaquin Valley, and many of the kids were from farm-worker families that did not have the money or time to visit places like Hearst Castle. The foundation sponsored their visit, including transportation and a hearty lunch. The testimonial notes that the kids had so much energy, were amazed to see the huge building, the spectacular gardens, the pools, the Assembly Room, and the Refectory, and that they were excited to see the ocean and wanted to touch salt water for the first time in their life. It also states that both the Hearst Castle guides and State Parks interpreters do a great job with inspiring the kids and making them feel special, and describes the pilot program as amazing.
Last updated July 10, 2026.
• Ages: 11–13 years old
The S.T.E.A.M. Program at the Castle is a special program of The Foundation at Hearst Castle. The Foundation at Hearst Castle offers youth programs for underserved middle school students from underrepresented communities around California, including kids from small farming towns such as Ivanhoe in the San Joaquin Valley, and supports educational, interpretive, and preservation programs for Hearst Castle and California State Parks. For at least one pilot visit, the foundation sponsored transportation and provided a hearty lunch for participating kids. The Foundation at Hearst Castle (formerly Friends of Hearst Castle) was founded in 1985. The Foundation at Hearst Castle’s mission is to support the conservation and restoration of Hearst Castle, and to offer youth programs for underserved middle school students to enhance the appreciation of the art and architecture of this world-class museum and monument, ultimately enriching the visitor experience and inspiring future generations of visionaries. The estate popularly known as Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark. The Foundation at Hearst Castle supports conservation and restoration projects at Hearst Castle, including painting conservation of the Morning Room ceiling and restoration of the Neptune Pool, and provides membership opportunities, educational programs, and special events, including luxe swims in the Neptune Pool. Hearst Castle is described as a world-class museum and monument with architecture, art collection, gardens, ocean and historic pier, and pools. The leadership team of The Foundation at Hearst Castle includes Abraham “Abe” Marquez as President, Michael Young as Executive Director, and Tara Stephenson as Director of Development.
One testimonial about the program describes bringing middle school kids up for a visit to see the Castle and then taking them down to the San Simeon bay to learn about sea life. The first group was from the small farming town of Ivanhoe in the San Joaquin Valley, and many of the kids were from farm-worker families that did not have the money or time to visit places like Hearst Castle. The foundation sponsored their visit, including transportation and a hearty lunch. The testimonial notes that the kids had so much energy, were amazed to see the huge building, the spectacular gardens, the pools, the Assembly Room, and the Refectory, and that they were excited to see the ocean and wanted to touch salt water for the first time in their life. It also states that both the Hearst Castle guides and State Parks interpreters do a great job with inspiring the kids and making them feel special, and describes the pilot program as amazing.
Last updated July 10, 2026.
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