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San Mateo previews expanded 2025 summer camps and aquatics programs; registration dates set
Summary
The Park and Recreation Commission heard an informational presentation on the city’s 2025 summer camps, aquatics and regular-season programs, including registration dates, program counts, staffing and access options. Commissioners asked about transportation, program evaluation and a new pricing tool; no formal action was required.
San Mateo City officials on April 2 presented details of the city’s 2025 summer recreation camps, aquatics and related programming, saying registration windows, program counts and key dates are set ahead of the June start.
Zach Russo, Community Services Manager for the Parks and Recreation Department, told the Park and Recreation Commission the department released its summer camps and aquatics guide to the public on Feb. 5 and opened registration March 11 for residents and March 13 for nonresidents. Summer camps run June 16 through Aug. 8, and the department’s summer programming is scheduled June 16 through Aug. 9.
The presentation matters to thousands of families: Russo said last year the department recorded more than 8,000 enrollments in summer programs, about 41% of the department’s annual enrollments, and that summer events drew more than 12,000 attendees. "Summer is our peak season for programming with school breaks and longer days," Russo said, describing camps, swim lessons and special events as the department’s busiest period.
The department plans more than 200 camps this year, including preschool half-day “pre-camp” for 3- to 5-year-olds, Camp Mateo for grades 1–6 (with trips to zoos and the boardwalk), and an "extreme summer days" program for grades 6–9 that includes daily field trips to destinations such as Great America and whale-watching excursions. Contract-instructor offerings will include specialized camps for coding, filmmaking and chess. Russo said all programs carry fees to cover materials, field-trip fuel and staffing, and the department operates a recreation fee assistance program that can cover up to 60% of fees for qualified participants.
Aquatics offerings will include more than 450 group swim-lesson sessions this summer, Russo said, running from infant lessons through adult classes using the American Red Cross swim model. The department will offer lap swim, a pre–swim-team program and opportunities for facility rentals and pool parties. Russo estimated the swim program reaches roughly 900 to 1,000 individual children over the season because many children enroll in multiple sequential sessions.
Commissioners asked about access and evaluation. Commissioner Trent asked whether the department provides transportation for families who lack it; Russo said the city does not provide coordinated transportation for youth camps (noting that senior programs do have transportation) but that he would look into possible partnerships with ride-share providers. Trent also asked about measurements of the city’s mobile recreation program; Russo said staff regularly assess the mobile program but that attendance can be variable because of weather and local marketing challenges.
Commissioners also asked about staffing and the new pricing tool. Russo said roughly 100 part-time, seasonal staff are hired and trained to run summer programs; full-time merit staff handle the year-round hiring, training and program planning. Regarding pricing, Russo said a revised pricing policy/tool is awaiting City Council approval and will be implemented in the next applicable program guide once approved; the department did not use the new tool for the currently published summer guide.
On routine business, the commission approved the consent calendar minutes for the March 5, 2025 meeting. Vice Chair Woodcher, Commissioner O'Campbell and Commissioner Trapp voted yes; Chair Field and Commissioner Keating were recorded as excused.
The department’s summer schedule also includes the Central Park music series (June 26–Aug. 14, no concert July 3) to be staged at Fitzgerald’s Field while Central Park improvements are underway, and the city’s Fourth of July family event on July 4. Russo said the mobile recreation program is funded by Measure S and highlighted volunteer opportunities such as a leaders-in-training program for grades 9–11 and a junior swim instructor program that supports swim lessons.
The presentation was informational and no additional policy actions were taken by the commission at the meeting.
