Pausing Registrations

Due to a high volume of inquiries, YSI is temporarily pausing new registrations. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this busy period. Our team is working diligently to catch up, and we anticipate reopening registrations by mid-October. Thank you for your patience and continued interest in our YSI programs.
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School and Group Programs

Important Notes & Reminders:
To register, please fill out YSI School Registration Information or email programs@ysi-ca.org.

YSI is closed the week of Labor Day. We will re-open onΒ Monday, September 12, 2016. Please contact us then.
Contact Us to Register!
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 β€” 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 β€œOffline 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) β€” up to 3 classes

Moving Exploding Earth (2 hr) β€” up to 2 classes

Physics of Sight, Sound, & Motion (1.5 hr) β€” 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 β€” this prevents mistakes and fees.

Please select your desired program location below to begin:

2025–2026 School Programs FAQ

August 2-6

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.

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 β†’ 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

Title 1 School Grant Funding Info

‍
If you are a Title 1 school interested in receiving grant funding for your YSI program, please contact us directly instead of booking through the online system.

To process and approve your Title 1 funding request, please provide the following booking details. Be as specific as possible, funding amounts are set based on the information provided at the time of approval.
‍
School

District

Grade level(s)

Number of classes

Number of students in each class

Total number of students

Program(s) of interest

Location of interest

If applicable:
Would you like your programs scheduled at the same time or one after another?

Important Notes:
Grant funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Funding is available up to $2,500 per school, with final amounts determined on a case-by-case basis.

We recommend reaching out as early as possible to maximize your chances of receiving funding.

We unfortunately do not have any transportation funding to offer schools this 25-26 school year.

If you have any questions about eligibility, availability, or the application process, please feel free to contact us for clarification.

Questions? Please email us at programs@ysi-ca.org or call (408) 356-4945 ext. 1