Chautauqua Youth & Family Programs

Chautauqua Youth & Family Programs includes Children’s School, Group One, Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Youth Activities Center, Special Studies Classes at Chautauqua, Young Readers Program, Youth Sailing, Swimming, Youth Golf, and Youth Tennis. Activities include age-appropriate classes in computer skills, art, dance, music, writing, and language; a program that encourages reading; junior golf camps and clinics; group tennis instruction with private lessons and junior memberships; and a 25-yard indoor pool that is open year-round.

Programs

• Children’s School — For youth ages 2.8–5. · Built in 1921; pioneered the concept of nursery school education.
• Group One — For youth entering first grade in the fall. · Begun in 1997; designed for children who will enter first grade in the fall and serves as a transition between Children’s School and Boys’ and Girls’ Club.
• Boys’ and Girls’ Club — For youth entering grades 2–10 in the fall · Considered the oldest day camp in the United States; grows out of a Chautauqua tradition of excellence in sports and physical education.
• Youth Activities Center (YAC) — kids ages 12–17 · Open for food service Noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Open evenings Monday through Thursday starting at 5 p.m. for YACtivities; activities change weekly. · Drop-in center at Heinz Beach, adjacent to the Boys’ and Girls’ Club campus.
• Special Studies Classes at Chautauqua — youth · Offers age-appropriate learning experiences in computer skills, art, dance, music, writing, language and many more interactive courses.
• Young Readers Program — young adult readers · Encourages the enjoyment of good reading.
• Youth Sailing — ages 8 and up
• Swimming — The 25-yard indoor pool at the Turner Community Center is open year-round.
• Youth Golf — ages 4-17 · Offers a variety of junior golf camps and clinics.
• Youth Tennis — ages 4–18 · Provides junior development program offering group instruction for all skill levels. Private lessons and junior memberships are also available.

At a glance

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• General schedule: The summer experience offers classes for youth and adults in subjects ranging from art, music, photography, culinary arts, religion and philosophy, to fitness, dance, history, literature and writing.

About the provider

Children’s School was built in 1921 and pioneered the concept of nursery school education. Group One began in 1997 and serves as a transition between Children’s School and Boys’ and Girls’ Club. Boys’ and Girls’ Club is considered the oldest day camp in the United States and grows out of a Chautauqua tradition of excellence in sports and physical education.

Last updated August 27, 2026.