School and Group Programs
Important Notes & Reminders:
Please be absolutely sure of your booking details before you register.
A $50 change fee will apply if any changes need to be made after your booking is completed, including date, time, program type, or participant numbers.
We strongly recommend confirming any transportation services prior to booking your YSI program to avoid needing changes after registration.
Response Times During Peak Season
At the start of the school year, YSI receives a very high volume of booking requests and grant funding applications. We answer all emails in the order they are received, and response times may take up to one week depending on volume and the details of your request.
If you are applying for Title 1 grant funding, please note that each application requires a personalized review and set of instructions based on your specific program selections. We appreciate your patience as we work carefully to ensure every request is processed accurately.
Once communication has begun, additional follow-up may still take time as we balance multiple requests and technical questions at once. Your patience allows us to give each booking the attention it deserves — and helps us serve all schools and groups as efficiently as possible.
Thank you for your understanding and support 🌱
A $50 change fee will apply if any changes need to be made after your booking is completed, including date, time, program type, or participant numbers.
We strongly recommend confirming any transportation services prior to booking your YSI program to avoid needing changes after registration.
Response Times During Peak Season
At the start of the school year, YSI receives a very high volume of booking requests and grant funding applications. We answer all emails in the order they are received, and response times may take up to one week depending on volume and the details of your request.
If you are applying for Title 1 grant funding, please note that each application requires a personalized review and set of instructions based on your specific program selections. We appreciate your patience as we work carefully to ensure every request is processed accurately.
Once communication has begun, additional follow-up may still take time as we balance multiple requests and technical questions at once. Your patience allows us to give each booking the attention it deserves — and helps us serve all schools and groups as efficiently as possible.
Thank you for your understanding and support 🌱
Booking Instructions:
Please read through these instructions carefully before booking.
Mistakes during the registration process can be difficult to correct.
A $50 fee will be applied to any cancellations or changes made after registration is completed.
1. Choosing Your Location
Select your desired location store button at the bottom of the booking instructions:
Vasona Park, Alum Rock Park, Sanborn Park, or At School.
Please note: Not all programs are available at all locations.
2. Selecting Your Program
Scroll through the list of programs at your chosen location and select your desired program.
Confirm that your date and time slot are available before adding the program to your cart.
3. Adding Multiple Programs
Programs at the same time:
Add one program per classroom or outdoor space to your cart.
Ensure that both spaces are available before booking.
Programs back-to-back:
Add your first program to the cart.
Return to the program page; available time slots will automatically update with a 15-minute buffer.
Add the next program to your cart. Repeat as needed.
4. Checkout & Payment
Once all programs are in your cart, proceed to checkout.
Grant-funded schools: Do not complete checkout. Contact us directly and follow the instructions in the FAQs below.
Paying by check: Select the “Offline Payment” method at checkout.
Once registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email with your invoice.
5. Special Notes on Class Capacity
Some programs allow only one class at a time, while others allow multiple classes if additional spaces are available.
Single-Class Only
Owls (1 hr)
Moving Exploding Earth (1.5 hr)
Ohlone (1.5 hr)
Single-Class, but multiple rooms may be booked if available
Animals (1 hr & 30 min)
Insects (1 hr & 30 min)
Pond (1 hr & 30 min)
Aquatic (1.5 hr)
Nature Walk (1 hr & 30 min)
Multi-Class Programs (add additional classes during checkout)
Ohlone (3 hr) — up to 3 classes
Moving Exploding Earth (2 hr) — up to 2 classes
Physics of Sight, Sound, & Motion (1.5 hr) — up to 2 classes
6. Questions or Clarifications
If you have any questions, please reach out to us before completing your registration: programs@ysi-ca.org
Any changes or cancellations after booking will incur a $50 fee.
If instructions are unclear, please ask before proceeding — this prevents mistakes and fees.
Mistakes during the registration process can be difficult to correct.
A $50 fee will be applied to any cancellations or changes made after registration is completed.
1. Choosing Your Location
Select your desired location store button at the bottom of the booking instructions:
Vasona Park, Alum Rock Park, Sanborn Park, or At School.
Please note: Not all programs are available at all locations.
2. Selecting Your Program
Scroll through the list of programs at your chosen location and select your desired program.
Confirm that your date and time slot are available before adding the program to your cart.
3. Adding Multiple Programs
Programs at the same time:
Add one program per classroom or outdoor space to your cart.
Ensure that both spaces are available before booking.
Programs back-to-back:
Add your first program to the cart.
Return to the program page; available time slots will automatically update with a 15-minute buffer.
Add the next program to your cart. Repeat as needed.
4. Checkout & Payment
Once all programs are in your cart, proceed to checkout.
Grant-funded schools: Do not complete checkout. Contact us directly and follow the instructions in the FAQs below.
Paying by check: Select the “Offline Payment” method at checkout.
Once registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email with your invoice.
5. Special Notes on Class Capacity
Some programs allow only one class at a time, while others allow multiple classes if additional spaces are available.
Single-Class Only
Owls (1 hr)
Moving Exploding Earth (1.5 hr)
Ohlone (1.5 hr)
Single-Class, but multiple rooms may be booked if available
Animals (1 hr & 30 min)
Insects (1 hr & 30 min)
Pond (1 hr & 30 min)
Aquatic (1.5 hr)
Nature Walk (1 hr & 30 min)
Multi-Class Programs (add additional classes during checkout)
Ohlone (3 hr) — up to 3 classes
Moving Exploding Earth (2 hr) — up to 2 classes
Physics of Sight, Sound, & Motion (1.5 hr) — up to 2 classes
6. Questions or Clarifications
If you have any questions, please reach out to us before completing your registration: programs@ysi-ca.org
Any changes or cancellations after booking will incur a $50 fee.
If instructions are unclear, please ask before proceeding — this prevents mistakes and fees.
Please select your desired program location below to begin:
Interested in Title 1 Grant Funding?
Please click the button below to fill out our YSI Title I Grant-Funded Program Application
2025–2026 School Programs FAQ
Booking and Cancellation Policy
What forms of payment does YSI accept?
Our preferred payment method is credit card via our online registration system.
We also accept checks sent by mail: Your check must be received at least 30 days before your program date.
To pay by check, select the "Offline" payment method during your checkout process.
If payment is not received on time, your program may be cancelled and subject to a $50 cancellation fee.
Other forms of payment may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What is YSI’s Cancellation and Change Policy?
When booking a program, you agree to the following terms:
$50 change fee for any changes made after booking (date, time, program type, or participant numbers).
$50 cancellation fee if cancelled more than 30 days before the program date.
$100 cancellation fee if cancelled within 30 days.
$175 cancellation fee if cancelled within 14 days.
$200 cancellation fee if cancelled less than 14 days before the program.
Full program fee if cancelled within 72 hours or for no-shows.
Please double-check all details before finalizing your registration.
How many students can be accommodated?
YSI nature centers: no more than 4 instructors per school group
At school sites: no more than 2 instructors per school group
Animal-based and non-station programs: maximum of 34 students per school group
Do you hold programs during specific times of the year?
Yes. Programs run September 1, 2025 – May 29, 2026.
Some programs are better suited for certain seasons. Contact programs@ysi-ca.org for recommendations.
Do you offer discounts for Title I schools?
Yes! Thanks to grant funding, Title I schools may qualify for:
Free or discounted programs
Transportation reimbursements
Contact YSI Administration during registration to check eligibility.
Programs at Vasona, Alum Rock, and Sanborn Parks
Arrival time: Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to unload and split into groups.
The front gate to Vasona Park opens at ~8:00 a.m.
Snack breaks:
Standard: 15-minute break for back-to-back groups
Life of an Ohlone (3-hour): snack break must be requested during registration
Moving, Exploding Earth: includes a snack-based activity
Food storage: Indoor storage is available for snacks/lunches.
Picnic areas: Each location has public picnic areas. To guarantee space, please reserve through the park websites.
Parent drivers: YSI will email a parking permit to distribute to drivers for free entry.
Parent chaperones: No set limit, but space is limited in classrooms. Student and instructor space takes priority.
Accessibility:
Alum Rock: Mostly paved, can be modified for accessibility
Sanborn: Limited paved paths
Vasona: Mostly paved, routes can be modified
Restrooms: All three locations have accessible restrooms.
Photos: Absolutely! We’d love to see your photos.
Our preferred payment method is credit card via our online registration system.
We also accept checks sent by mail: Your check must be received at least 30 days before your program date.
To pay by check, select the "Offline" payment method during your checkout process.
If payment is not received on time, your program may be cancelled and subject to a $50 cancellation fee.
Other forms of payment may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What is YSI’s Cancellation and Change Policy?
When booking a program, you agree to the following terms:
$50 change fee for any changes made after booking (date, time, program type, or participant numbers).
$50 cancellation fee if cancelled more than 30 days before the program date.
$100 cancellation fee if cancelled within 30 days.
$175 cancellation fee if cancelled within 14 days.
$200 cancellation fee if cancelled less than 14 days before the program.
Full program fee if cancelled within 72 hours or for no-shows.
Please double-check all details before finalizing your registration.
How many students can be accommodated?
YSI nature centers: no more than 4 instructors per school group
At school sites: no more than 2 instructors per school group
Animal-based and non-station programs: maximum of 34 students per school group
Do you hold programs during specific times of the year?
Yes. Programs run September 1, 2025 – May 29, 2026.
Some programs are better suited for certain seasons. Contact programs@ysi-ca.org for recommendations.
Do you offer discounts for Title I schools?
Yes! Thanks to grant funding, Title I schools may qualify for:
Free or discounted programs
Transportation reimbursements
Contact YSI Administration during registration to check eligibility.
Programs at Vasona, Alum Rock, and Sanborn Parks
Arrival time: Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to unload and split into groups.
The front gate to Vasona Park opens at ~8:00 a.m.
Snack breaks:
Standard: 15-minute break for back-to-back groups
Life of an Ohlone (3-hour): snack break must be requested during registration
Moving, Exploding Earth: includes a snack-based activity
Food storage: Indoor storage is available for snacks/lunches.
Picnic areas: Each location has public picnic areas. To guarantee space, please reserve through the park websites.
Parent drivers: YSI will email a parking permit to distribute to drivers for free entry.
Parent chaperones: No set limit, but space is limited in classrooms. Student and instructor space takes priority.
Accessibility:
Alum Rock: Mostly paved, can be modified for accessibility
Sanborn: Limited paved paths
Vasona: Mostly paved, routes can be modified
Restrooms: All three locations have accessible restrooms.
Photos: Absolutely! We’d love to see your photos.
Programs at School Sites
What time will the instructor arrive?
Instructors arrive 30 minutes before start time.
Example: 9:30 a.m. program → instructor arrives by 9:00 a.m.
What materials are required for YSI programs?
Life of an Ohlone, Moving Exploding Earth, or Physics:
A table is required for materials
Animal-based programs:
Tables optional but helpful
Please provide a spacious area for the instructor and materials, with room for students to sit in a half-circle
Questions? Please email us at programs@ysi-ca.org or call (408) 356-4945 ext. 1
Instructors arrive 30 minutes before start time.
Example: 9:30 a.m. program → instructor arrives by 9:00 a.m.
What materials are required for YSI programs?
Life of an Ohlone, Moving Exploding Earth, or Physics:
A table is required for materials
Animal-based programs:
Tables optional but helpful
Please provide a spacious area for the instructor and materials, with room for students to sit in a half-circle
Questions? Please email us at programs@ysi-ca.org or call (408) 356-4945 ext. 1
