Chautauqua Institution Youth & Family Programs

Chautauqua Institution Youth & Family Programs includes Children’s School, Group One, Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Youth Activities Center (YAC), Special Studies Classes at Chautauqua, Young Readers Program, Youth Sailing, Swimming, Youth Golf, and Youth Tennis. The offerings include computer skills, art, dance, music, writing, language, sailing courses, a 25-yard indoor pool, junior golf camps and clinics, and group tennis instruction for all skill levels.

Programs

• Children’s School — For youth ages 2.8–5. · Pioneered the concept of nursery school education.
• Group One — For youth entering first grade in the fall. · 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.
• 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. · Drop-in center located on the south lakefront at Heinz Beach, adjacent to the Boys’ and Girls’ Club campus.
• Special Studies Classes at Chautauqua — Provides youth an age-appropriate learning environment with subjects including computer skills, art, dance, music, writing, language and more interactive courses.
• Young Readers Program — Encourages the enjoyment of good reading.
• Youth Sailing — Youth ages 8 and up. · Summer-long curriculum of sailing courses including Beginner Optimist Sailing, 420 Sailing, Intermediate Sailing, and Saturday morning races. Registration is through the Special Studies program.
• Swimming — The 25-yard indoor pool at the Turner Community Center is open year-round.
• Youth Golf — Ages 4-17. · Offers junior golf camps and clinics; class size is limited and early registration is strongly encouraged.
• Youth Tennis — Ages 4–18. · Provides group instruction for all skill levels. Racquets may be borrowed at no charge during the junior programs. Private lessons and junior memberships are also available.

At a glance

• Ages: 2–17 years old
• General schedule: Youth programs are offered from pre-school to day camp, from sports instruction to informal youth centers, from enrichment classes to entertainment, and from reading to experiences in the arts.

About the provider

Children’s School is listed as having pioneered the concept of nursery school education. Boys’ and Girls’ Club is described as the oldest day camp in the United States. Young Readers Program encourages the enjoyment of good reading.

Last updated August 27, 2026.