Chautauqua Institution Youth & Family Programs

Chautauqua Institution Youth & Family Programs includes Children’s School, Group One, Boys’ and Girls’ Club, the Youth Activities Center, Special Studies Classes, the Young Readers Program, Youth Sailing, Swimming, Youth Golf, and Youth Tennis. The activities listed include sailing courses, junior golf camps and clinics, junior tennis instruction, indoor swimming, and interactive classes in subjects such as computer skills, art, dance, music, writing, and language.

Programs

• Children’s School — Youth ages 2.8–5 · Built in 1921; pioneering nursery school education.
• Group One — Youth entering first grade in the fall · Designed as a transition between Children’s School and Boys’ and Girls’ Club.
• Boys’ and Girls’ Club — 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. · Drop-in center at Heinz Beach with snack bar, televisions, games, table tennis and pool tables.
• Special Studies Classes at Chautauqua — Youth · Age-appropriate learning environment with subjects including computer skills, art, dance, music, writing, language and more interactive courses.
• Young Readers Program — Young adult readers · 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.
• Swimming — Open year-round at the 25-yard indoor pool at the Turner Community Center.
• Youth Golf — Ages 4–17 · Junior golf camps and clinics; class size is limited and early registration is strongly encouraged.
• Youth Tennis — Ages 4–18 · Junior development program offering group instruction for all skill levels; racquets may be borrowed at no charge during junior programs.

At a glance

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• General schedule: Summer-long curriculum for Youth Sailing; year-round swimming; Special Studies classes available in the 2026 Summer Assembly Season.

About the provider

Children’s School pioneered the concept of nursery school education. Boys’ and Girls’ Club is considered the oldest day camp in the United States. The program mission states that Chautauqua’s youth programs present a diversity of activity in varied and historic settings, and that youth are encouraged to grow in independence, make choices, take responsibility, and celebrate family time in the Chautauqua community.

Advance registration is required for Special Studies classes. Some classes may require a waiver prior to attending. Students are responsible for confirming course requirements for professional development. Youth Golf class size is limited and early registration is strongly encouraged.

Last updated August 27, 2026.