Upcoming Events

Science Safari

Upcoming Science Safaris
The fall is upon us and YSI is happy to announce the return of our Science Safaris! YSI has added FREE Science Safaris at our Sanborn, Vasona, and Alum Rock locations for the remainder of the year. Our science safaris are educational programs that not only bring you and your family into nature, but we will also teach you facts about your surroundings that you may not have known! YSI's Science Safari programs are designed for families, so please register each attending member. A registered adult must accompany their child(ren) for these events. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

You will receive an email the day before your event with all the needed information, including a map of the park, directions, and parking information. YSI has incorporated all COVID-19 guidelines that follow all County and State protocols. YSI recommends every registrant ages 2 and over wear a face mask while practicing social distancing. We appreciate your cooperation in helping YSI keep you safe and healthy while enjoying the beauty of nature. For more information, please email programs@ysi-ca.org or call 408-356-4945 ex 12. We look forward to seeing you in person!

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FREE Scavenger Hunt with YSI at Sanborn Park
Join YSI for a fun scavenger hunt to see what plants and animals we can find in the park!
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Date: Nov 12, 2022
Time: 10:00am-11:30am
Location: Sanborn Park, 16055 Sanborn Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070
Age recommendation: 4-12 years old.
All attendants must be registered (parent and child).
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This event is outdoors. Masks are recommended. YSI is following all state and county COVID-19 protocols.

Click here to register.

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FREE Ohlone Nature Walk at Alum Rock Park
Join YSI for a beautiful walk in the park while learning about the plants and animals that were important for the Ohlone Native Americans' survival! This event is outdoors. Masks are recommended. YSI is following all state and county COVID-19 protocols.
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Date: Nov 19, 2022
Time: 2:30pm-4:00pm
Location: Alum Rock Park, 15350 Penitencia Creek Rd
San Jose, CA 95127
Age recommendation: 5-12 years old.
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This event is outdoors. Masks are recommended. YSI is following all state and county COVID-19 protocols.

Click here to register.

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FREE Winter Crafts Vasona
Join YSI for some nature-themed holiday crafts at Vasona Park! Use items like acorn caps and pinecones to make a variety of options.

Date: Dec 10, 2022 Time: 10:00am-11:30am
Location: Vasona Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Age recommendation: 4-12 years old. All attendants must be registered (parent and child).

This event is outdoors. Masks are recommended. YSI is following all state and county COVID-19 protocols.

Click here to register.

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FREE Winter Crafts at YSI in Alum Rock Park
Join YSI for some nature-themed holiday crafts at Alum Rock Park! Use items like acorn caps and pinecones to make a variety of options.

Date: Dec 17, 2022
Time: 2:30pm-4:30pm
Location: Alum Rock Park, 15350 Penicencia Creek Rd
San Jose, CA 95127
Age Recommendation: 4-12 years old. All attendants must be registered (parent and child).
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This event is outdoors. Masks are recommended. YSI is following all state and county COVID-19 protocols.

Click here to register.

Storytime with YSI

Storytime with YSI
Event: FREE Storytime with YSI - The Very Busy Spider
Date: Oct 22, 2022
Time: 11:45am-12:15pm
Location: Vasona Lake County Park 333 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95032
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Join YSI for Storytime as we read "The Very Busy Spider." After, we will meet YSI's live tarantula ambassador and learn all about it!
Click here to register.

Storytime with YSI

FREE Storytime at YSI - Animals at Play
Join YSI for storytime! We will be reading, "Animals at Play". After, we will meet a live animal and learn about it!
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Date: Nov 5, 2022
Time: 10:30am-11:00am
Location: Vasona Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Age Recommendation: 1-5 years old.

This event is outdoors. All attendants must be registered (parent and child). Click here to register.

Storytime with YSI

FREE Storytime with YSI - I took my frog to the Library
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Join YSI for Storytime! We will be reading, "I took my frog to the Library". After, we will meet an amphibian!
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Date: Dec 10, 2022Time: 12:00pm-12:30pm
Location: Vasona County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Age Recommendation: 1-5 years old. All attendants must be registered (parent and child).

This is an outdoor event. Masks are recommended. YSI is following all state and county COVID-19 protocols. Click here to register.

Science Saturdays

Upcoming Science Saturdays
YSI is proud to offer 3 Science Saturdays at Vasona in November! Our Science Saturdays not only bring your children outside in nature, but they also allow children to explore while learning about science! Children will enjoy 4 hours of natural sciences with hands-on learning, a nature walk in our beautiful Vasona Park, and a craft or two each Saturday. Space is limited, so reserve your spot now! Below is more information for each Science Saturday.
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YSI has incorporated guidelines that follow all County and State protocols. YSI requires every registrant to wear a face mask while practicing social distancing. This information can be found in the registration form. We appreciate your cooperation with helping YSI keep you safe and healthy while enjoying the beauty of nature. For more information, please email programs@ysi-ca.org or call 408-356-4945 ex 12. We look forward to seeing you in person!

YSI’s Science Saturday Cancellation Policy:
‍50% of camp fees plus a $50 administrative fee will be charged if cancellations are made within 2 weeks of the camp's start date.No refund (0%) of camp fees will be refunded within 2 weeks of the camp's date.
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Please note, if federal, state, or county COVID-19 guidelines change and prevent YSI from operating our programs, registrants are able to donate program fees, defer program fees to our ACTIVE account to be used as a credit for another program, or receive a full refund.

Enrollment Change Policy:
‍Any change (including canceling out of one program and enrolling in another program) requests must be made at least 14 days before the program's start date, and are subject to availability. There will be a $50 administrative fee to process this change. If a program is canceled due to low enrollment, you may change to another program without a $50 administrative fee. Programs are not transferable to another person.

For more information, please email programs@ysi-ca.org or call 408-356-4945 ex 12. We look forward to seeing you in person!

It’s that time of year, and YSI is hosting our upcoming Holiday Camp - Plants and Animals of Vasona Park! Join YSI for 3 days of fun and learning at Vasona Park, and we will have a different theme each day.

YSI is following all county and state guidelines for outdoor events. This includes but is not limited to:
Required Face Masks
Social Distancing
Personal Kits for Crafts
No shared Items
Frequent Disinfecting/Sanitizing

YSI Also has limited grant funding for children attending a Title I eligible school in Santa Clara County. For more information, please email programs@ysi-ca.org.

Crawlies Aren’t Creepy!

Date: November 6, 2021
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Location: Vasona Lake County Park
Cost: $85.00 per child
Ages: K-6th

Here at YSI, we don't use the term Creepy Crawlies, and we're here to show you why! We will spend the day learning about various insects and arthropods, and even see some that are YSI ambassadors too! After learning about their adaptations, we will go on a fun nature walk-in Alum Rock Park to see what we can find together! Insects tend to love coming out after a rain, so dress accordingly! After exploring, we will come back to do a fun craft together! Our instructors have created personal kits for each child, so they can be artistic while being safe! You'll come in the morning as children, and leave as Junior Entomologists!

Life as an Ohlone

Date: November 13, 2021
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Location: Vasona Lake County Park
Cost: $90.00 per child
Ages: K-6th

Join YSI in learning about the first people who inhabited where we live- the Ohlone Native Americans! During this program, we will learn how they survived back then on what nature gave them! From their homes to their food, and also the toys and tools! We will go on a nice walk to see the many plants and animals in nature that the Ohlone might have found useful. Each child will have the opportunity to make something to take home that is reflective of what the Ohlone Native Americans made!

Shake, Rattle, and Geology!

Date: November 20, 2021
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Location: Vasona Lake County Park
Cost: $90.00 per child
Ages: K-6

Have you ever felt the ground shake beneath you? Are you a rock/mineral collector? Do you want to learn more amazing things about the planet we call home? YSI has a fun day planned for you! We will learn about the layers of our planet and what they're made from, as well as the different rocks and minerals that can be found! We will discuss volcanoes and plate tectonics, and also do some fun crafts!

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Upcoming Events