Youth Programming

The So What Else Youth Program was founded in 2009 to provide at-risk children with a safe, enriching, out-of-school-time haven, and has supported over 16,000 children in the many years since. Today, our team of educators serve over 3,150 children annually through 22 after-school programs, 18 summer camps, and 2 youth leadership camps. Working with dozens of partner organizations, our staff travel to meet students where they’re at, bringing programs to the under-served neighborhoods our students live.

So What Else Youth Programs are 100% free* and offer nutritious meals and grocery pick-ups to students and their families, further creating resilient, empowered communities. 

All So What Else programs and camps are rigorously tested and curriculum-based, providing a wide array of educational and recreational programming under our main program pillars:

• Expressive Arts – Studio Art, Theatre, Dance
• Healthy Living – Cooking, Yoga, Mindfulness
• Sports & Recreation – Games, Team Sports, and Playtime
• The Big Idea – Activism, Entrepreneurship, Teamwork
• Environmental Stewardship – Gardening, Conservation
• Academic Enrichment – STEM, Literacy

*Please note: So What Else’s two youth leadership camps are not considered youth programs and charge a small fee for service.