Think Summer 2025: Field Trips, Fun and Unforgettable Memories!

This summer has been nothing short of enriching for Think Together students. From cheering at baseball games, to exploring science museums, to developing new skills in dancing and cooking, California youth across the state made the most of their break with hands-on learning and meaningful adventures. Think Together served more than 25,000 students this summer at over 270 program sites, helping prevent summer learning loss while creating unforgettable memories. 

Here’s a peek at Think Summer 2025:

Los Angeles Metro 🌞

Fenton Charter Public School scientists tapped into their curiosity at the Discovery Cube, where interactive science exhibits brought learning to life. Budding scientists and engineers explored topics such as recycling, ocean life, physics and plant science through hands-on activities, sparking curiosity that extended beyond the classroom. 

Fourth grader Mackenzie shared, “It’s important we learn about science for the classes we will take in the future. This field trip is helping us learn about things we haven’t seen yet.”

East Los Angeles County 🦕  

El Rancho Unified School District led a busy summer full of golf, tech learning, and fossil exploration!  Elementary students traveled through time at the La Brea Tar Pits, where they learned about the Ice Age, saw fossils up close and explored the only active Ice Age fossil site in the world.  

Through the Latina Golfers Association, middle school girls learned the fundamentals of golf and heard from Councilwoman Dr. Monica Sanchez, who inspired them to dream big and chase their goals.  

Technology and engineering were the main highlight of the day at SoFi Stadium where middle schoolers explored behind-the-scenes of the tech that creates the magic of the large stadium. They also participated in a career panel with SoFi Stadium professionals to learn about various career paths.

Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles County 🍓  

Green thumb enthusiasts from Lynwood Unified School District got their hands dirty in the garden to learn about healthy eating while students from Compton Unified School District explored agriculture at Tanaka Farms.  

High school coders from Compton USD also embarked on a summer activity of their own at the WeWork HQ, where they held their culminating Hackathon event. The high schoolers collaborated in teams with tech mentors and presented projects to industry professionals to showcase their creativity through coding and explored various career options in the STEM field.

Aspiring engineers at Vista Charter Public School explored STEM through the construction of a zipline with PIMCO and the Child Creativity Lab, learning how creative thinking and problem-solving are closely intertwined. Their innovation was put to the test as they created zipline carriers capable of transporting a ball safely from one end to the other.

Paramount Unified School District learners were inspired by innovation and discovery at the California Science Center, where interactive exhibits encouraged students to imagine the possibilities of future technology.

The Desert 🎢  

A trip to Knott’s Berry Farm delivered thrills and laughs for Hemet Unified School District high schoolers with roller coasters, games and summer treats. As part of the Energy in Motion Tour, Think Together high schoolers learned about the physics of motion and energy transfer through rides like Supreme Scream, Wipe Out and Hang Time, gaining front-row seats and skipping the lines to witness science in action.

Palm Springs Unified School District campers created their own Camp Day event, complete with a campsite aesthetic, friendship bracelet making, a s’mores station and camp-style games such as potato sack races, cup stacking and volleyball.

Riverside County 💃  

Dancers from Moreno Valley Unified School District were active and creative in classes at the Dance Academy. Jurupa Unified School District elementary golfers teed off in glow-in-the-dark fun at Glo Mini Golf.

Curious scientists from Val Verde Unified School District explored natural wonders at the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center and took a trip to the Discovery Cube. There, students experienced hands-on exhibits like the “Sea Lab” and “Dino Quest,” where they explored marine biology, prehistoric anatomy and animal behavior in engaging and interactive ways.

San Bernardino County 🐍  

From meeting slithery new friends during a reptile show to laughing along with a ventriloquist performance and cooking up creativity at Sauté Academy, Colton Joint Unified School District summer learners stayed engaged in hands-on fun. 

Wild Man Dan introduced kindergarten through sixth-graders to reptiles and arachnids from across the globe, helping them overcome fears and learn about backyard wildlife.  

“I really liked learning about all the interesting animals; my favorite was the scorpion,” shared fourth grader Evalyn. 

At Sauté Academy, young chefs practiced safe cutting techniques, learned to whip cream by hand and assembled their own fruit pastries.  

“It was fun to make the pastries because I’ve baked with my grandma and this reminded me of doing that with her,” said sixth grader Jackson.

San Gabriel Valley ⚾  

It was all smiles and stadium snacks during an Angels Game outing, where eighth grader Jayden from Baldwin Park Unified School District was invited to step onto the field and start off the game with a “Play Ball!” announcement.  

In Azusa Unified School District, kindergarten through eighth–grade students ventured into a day packed with STEM activities at Main Event. It was a unique learning experience as it was done in an arcade-style setting, where they learned the science behind their favorite games and math lessons using pizza!  

“I liked how we got to play and learn at the same time,” shared fourth grader Frank. “I didn’t know there was so much math and science in pizza and games!”

High Desert 🎸  

Victor Elementary School District scholars showcased their out-of-this-world creativity by designing space-themed parade floats using their summer camp parade kits filled with all the necessary materials to bring their astronaut ideas to life.

Elementary schoolers from Hesperia Unified School District explored their passion for music at the After School Music Academy, where they learned the basics of drumming and built confidence through performance-based learning.

Northern and Central California 🐛

In Vacaville Unified School District, kindergarten through sixth-grade students dove into imaginative weekly themes like bugs, underwater wonders, friendship and sports heroes. These themed experiences sparked curiosity, creativity and meaningful conversations, giving students new ways to connect with one another and the world around them.

At Think Together, summer isn’t just a break from school; it’s a chance to keep curiosity alive, ignite new passions and help students keep their minds active to avoid summer learning loss. By providing enriching programs and meaningful experiences during the long break, Think Summer ensures kids return to school confident, inspired and ready to learn.

This summer, Think Together students from Colton Joint Unified School District got an up-close look at some of the world’s most fascinating and misunderstood creatures during a live reptile presentation from Wild Man Dan.  

From a bright blue poison dart frog to a massive Burmese python, Wild Man Dan introduced students to reptiles and arachnids from across the globe. This interactive learning experience brought science and wildlife education to K-6 grade students through discovery-based learning, a key approach among the many types of play in early childhood that support cognitive and emotional growth.  

“I really liked learning about all the interesting animals; my favorite was the scorpion,” shared fourth grader Evalyn. “We also learned about the difference between venomous and poisonous animals, which was super cool.” 

Daniel Quinones, better known to students as Wild Man Dan, emphasized the importance of presentations like this one. He noted that many kids are afraid of the animals they might find in their own backyard, and the goal is to replace that fear with understanding and respect. By learning about these creatures, students can safely observe wildlife in nature and understand the importance of protecting animal habitats. 

Think Together’s summer programs ensure students continue building knowledge and curiosity during critical out-of-school months. According to the American Federation of Teachers, summer learning loss extends far beyond academics. When students don’t have access to engaging and enriching summer programs, they can also lose out on critical supports that impact their health, well-being, future career opportunities, and long-term stability. 

“It’s super important, especially during the summer, that the kids have these hands-on activities,” said Esther Garcia, Think Together Site Program Manager. “We want to make sure we’re closing the gap and giving kids every opportunity to really learn something.” 

Throughout the show, squeals of excitement filled the room. Students who were hesitant at first began to lean in, ask questions, and even cheer for the animals. The experience sparked a noticeable shift from fear to fascination as students engaged more confidently with the crawly creatures. 

By connecting students to science, nature, and even career paths they might not otherwise encounter, Think Together helps them dream big and shine bright! 

In Colton Joint Unified School District, the cafeteria sounded less like a classroom and more like a bakeshop, as Think Summer students welcomed chefs from Sauté Culinary Academy for a hands-on pastry workshop. 

Sauté Academy offers engaging cooking classes for all ages with the mission of teaching basic culinary techniques. They create a space where students can whisk batter, pipe frosting, and work with professional tools under the guidance of experienced chefs.  

According to the Lukin Center for Psychotherapy, cooking helps kids build confidence, improve focus and develop problem-solving skills. It also promotes social-emotional growth by encouraging teamwork, patience, and a sense of accomplishment. These benefits were on full display as students participated in activities that supported many types of play in early childhood, including cooperative, and imaginative experiences. 

After a quick food-safety briefing, students rolled up their sleeves to create fruit pastries from scratch. They began by practicing safe cutting practices on fruit, learning the importance of focus and precision.  

During the whipped cream challenge, students worked together to whip cream by hand until it reached perfect consistency, bringing lots of laughter and excitement. Finally, they assembled their pastries by layering the whipped cream and arranging the fruit. 

Chef Nate from Sauté Academy enthusiastically watched students complete each step, sharing his thoughts on why introducing basic cooking skills to students is important. “It’s a great hobby and even a cool career path,” he said.  “They can add to their cooking repertoire and help their families in the kitchen, which is really what it’s all about.” 

Fifth-grader Mark could not hide his excitement. “My favorite part was the cooking because I get to make stuff not just for me, but I can save some and share it with my family too,” he said. “It’s going to be so fun watching them try it!” 

Site Program Manager Gabriela Hidalgo shared her enthusiasm as she watched students dive into the activity. “This is actually their first time doing it, and it’s already looking amazing,” she said. “They’re having such a good time, and it’s a great opportunity especially for students who might not get experiences like this over the summer. Who knows, maybe it’s something new they’ll want to try again at home!” 

As the workshop wrapped up, students enjoyed their pastries, tasting the sweet success of their hard work. More than just a recipe for learning, the culinary experience blended practical skills, creativity, and social-emotional development into summer memories students will carry with them well beyond the season. 

 

Changing the odds for kids isn’t just supporting their academic needs but also investing in our Think Together program staff that support them every day. That is why Think Together is proud to renew its partnership with Kaiser Permanente through generous funding of $50,000 to support trauma-informed care strategies for our Bay Area staff in Newark, Oakland, Alum Rock, San Jose and Milpitas, California. 

With the aid of these grants, Think Together program staff will continue to receive trauma-informed care training that introduces the basics of trauma and how it can affect students both physically and emotionally. This will provide over 3,500 students from 40 schools with access to restorative approaches to encourage healing, including self-reflection, storytelling, and group discussions. 

According to World Metrics, “nearly 60% of girls and 40% of boys experience at least one traumatic event by age 16.” Think Together aims to equip students and staff with the tools necessary to face these challenges. By training our team to recognize the impact of trauma and respond with empathy and restorative practices, we help create safe, nurturing environments where every child can heal and thrive.  

Think Together first offered trauma-informed care training in 2020, marking an important step in supporting the well-being of our students and staff. Since then, these trainings have empowered our community to flourish, with 98% of staff feeling confident in their ability to model healthy social and emotional skills. 

Outside the classroom, Think Together parents have also noticed significant improvements with their children.  

“Jacob has shown much improvement in controlling his anger and using his words to communicate what he is feeling,” said Think Together parent Gabby. “He also talks to us more about his day and has better ways of expressing his feelings.” 

For Denise, another Think Together parent, trauma-informed care has completely transformed her daughter, giving her the confidence to speak up and grow into her own. 

“Meghan’s transformation from a quiet kid to a social butterfly is truly remarkable,” said Denise. “Think Together has played a crucial role in empowering her to find her voice and advocate for herself. Whether it’s voicing preferences, like choosing the type of milk she wants, or sharing feedback on activities, she has become more confident and self-assured.” 

For Think Together staff, this integration has enhanced their experience within program, allowing them to see how their training makes a difference in their students’ lives.  

“We’ve been able to help students learn breathing techniques, promote a healthy lifestyle, and develop mindful practices,” said Think Together staff member, Natalie Corona.

Thank you to Kaiser Permanente for funding this vital program that provides students and families with a chance to grow and succeed!