Chautauqua Institution Youth & Family Programs
Chautauqua Institution, 71 S Lake Dr, Chautauqua, NY 14722
About
Chautauqua Institution Youth & Family Programs include activities such as Gentle Yoga, gluten-free baking, Beginner Optimist Sailing, 420 Sailing, Intermediate Sailing, swimming, junior golf camps and clinics, and group tennis instruction. The program also offers Saturday morning races, wine tasting, and access to a drop-in Youth Activities Center (YAC) with a snack bar, televisions, games, table tennis, and pool tables. The Special Studies curriculum includes subjects such as computer skills, art, dance, music, writing, language and other interactive courses, and the CLSC Young Readers Program focuses on the enjoyment of reading.
• Ages: 2–17 years old
• Schedule: The Youth Activities Center (YAC) food service is open Noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the YAC is open evenings Monday through Thursday starting at 5 p.m. for YACtivities.
• Price: The Youth Activities Center (YAC) snack bar has daily lunch specials at “kid” prices.
Chautauqua’s programs for youth include pre-school options, day camp, sports instruction, informal youth centers, enrichment classes, entertainment, reading, and experiences in the arts, and encourage youth to grow in independence, make choices, take responsibility and celebrate family time in the Chautauqua community. Chautauqua Children’s School was built in 1921, with additions in 1926, 1947 and 1969, followed by a full renovation and expansion in 1994, and Group One began in 1997. Chautauqua Children’s School pioneered the concept of nursery school education, and Boys’ and Girls’ Club is considered the oldest day camp in the United States.
The Chautauqua Golf Club offers junior golf camps and clinics for ages 4–17, and the Chautauqua Tennis Center offers group tennis instruction for ages 4–18 at all skill levels, with racquets available to borrow at no charge during junior programs. Private sailing lessons, private tennis lessons, and junior tennis memberships are available. Every Wednesday of the season, Chautauqua County students, faculty, administration and staff receive free admission.
Historian and author David McCullough described Chautauqua by saying, “There is no place like it. No resort. No spa. Not anywhere else in the country, or anywhere in the world.” Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns said, “Things are different here. You feel it the moment you pass through the gates. Here, we have a glimmer, an active, muscular, American utopia, here in this place, inquisitive, ecumenical, feeding mind and body and spirit.”
Last updated May 28, 2026.
• Ages: 2–17 years old
• Schedule: The Youth Activities Center (YAC) food service is open Noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the YAC is open evenings Monday through Thursday starting at 5 p.m. for YACtivities.
• Price: The Youth Activities Center (YAC) snack bar has daily lunch specials at “kid” prices.
Chautauqua’s programs for youth include pre-school options, day camp, sports instruction, informal youth centers, enrichment classes, entertainment, reading, and experiences in the arts, and encourage youth to grow in independence, make choices, take responsibility and celebrate family time in the Chautauqua community. Chautauqua Children’s School was built in 1921, with additions in 1926, 1947 and 1969, followed by a full renovation and expansion in 1994, and Group One began in 1997. Chautauqua Children’s School pioneered the concept of nursery school education, and Boys’ and Girls’ Club is considered the oldest day camp in the United States.
The Chautauqua Golf Club offers junior golf camps and clinics for ages 4–17, and the Chautauqua Tennis Center offers group tennis instruction for ages 4–18 at all skill levels, with racquets available to borrow at no charge during junior programs. Private sailing lessons, private tennis lessons, and junior tennis memberships are available. Every Wednesday of the season, Chautauqua County students, faculty, administration and staff receive free admission.
Historian and author David McCullough described Chautauqua by saying, “There is no place like it. No resort. No spa. Not anywhere else in the country, or anywhere in the world.” Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns said, “Things are different here. You feel it the moment you pass through the gates. Here, we have a glimmer, an active, muscular, American utopia, here in this place, inquisitive, ecumenical, feeding mind and body and spirit.”
Last updated May 28, 2026.
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