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Piedmont says Sidekicks adaptive program is expanding to offer weekly camps and 1‑on‑1 matches
Summary
Sidekicks staff reported the adaptive summer program will now include an adaptive camp every week and a matching 1‑on‑1 teen sidekick model; staff said registrations have more than doubled and about 70% of participants are Piedmont residents.
Larissa Martinet, Sidekicks staff, told commissioners Sidekicks is entering its fourth summer and described two program pillars: adaptive camps and a matching 1‑on‑1 teen sidekick model that pairs participants with trained teen volunteers.
"Sidekicks is still a relatively young program as we're entering our 4th summer," Martinet said, describing steady growth in registrations and partnerships with contractors such as PlayWell Technologies and Future Stars Baseball.
Martinet said the department now offers an adaptive option every single week of the summer and that registration has more than doubled year‑over‑year. She said about 70% of participants live in Piedmont and that this year the program accepted roughly 80% of applicants, signaling both high demand and capacity constraints.
Commissioners asked about demographics and outreach; Martinet said the program draws many families from neighboring jurisdictions (Oakland Hills, Berkeley, Orinda and Alameda) and that staff are using weekend offerings and one‑day 'play days' to create low‑commitment entry points for families.
Staff said the Sidekicks model relies on trained teen volunteers who interview and complete behavioral training, and that the program serves as both inclusionary programming for children and a community volunteer opportunity for local teens.
