My son attended his first season at Camp Adventurewood in 2023 - it was his first experience at a…read moresummer camp and he was a little nervous and shy but all his counselors made him feel so welcome and comfortable and after the first day he was hooked! He loved the variety of activities and made so many new friends. He came home with fun stories each day. I loved that they offered a variety of options from 2 days/week to 5 days. We returned last summer and an unexpected and sudden medical event threw our summer for a loop. They were beyond kind and accommodating. Michael, the owner, personally made sure we were taken care of at a very scary time and was just incredibly kind and communicative. I can't thank him and his staff enough for the support. I would recommend this camp for any family. Its like a classic, old-school summer day camp experience!

My son attended Adventurewood camp for the first time this week. For the most part he enjoyed…read morehimself -- particularly the characters they introduce throughout the week. However, we decided to pull him out for next week because of a very disturbing situation. He shared that a counselor had pushed him with both hands on his shoulders during a capture the flag activity. He had dropped his flag and was putting it back on when a counselor (he didn't know her name) pushed him back hard enough to make him lose his balance and fall. She also barked "you need to reset!" She didn't ask if he was ok or help him up. You'd think if this was an accidental push and he fell over she would say something like "sorry bud are you ok? Here let me help you up" but nope, not a word. A friend he's attending camp with witnessed the whole incident. Since I pick them both up in the afternoons they both recounted this situation to me and both of them noted how inappropriate her behavior was. I immediately reached out to Michael, the owner of the camp. He said he wanted to identify this counselor and get her side of the story. Understandable. My son felt uncomfortable going back the next day but I reassured him it would be handled and offered to drop him off in the morning and stick around to talk to Michael and the counselor. I wanted him to feel safe. Michael identified her (her name is Carson) and said he wanted to talk to her first, which he did a few feet away from me. I heard her say she didn't push him. They then walked over to me and she again denied everything. So we asked both kids to come over and recount what happened. They both did -- in front of her -- and reiterated she pushed him. She denied even touching him. So Michael suggests at this point that perhaps it was an accident and my son responds by saying "how do you push someone like that by accident?!" No response. So I ask her, are you saying these kids are lying? She again said she didn't touch him and at this point we send the kids away. I'm incensed because not only does she gaslight both of them to their face but tells this bold faced lie to her boss in front of the campers and me. I tell her I believe them and I think she's the one lying. At this point she gives me this dirty look - angry, irritated and almost rolls her eyes at me. I turn to Michael and say "and now she's giving ME an attitude?!" Unbelievable. In a follow up call, he tells me how good of a person she is and that this is shocking for him to hear but that she doesn't seem like someone who would do something like this...that she's getting her teacher credentials and he knows her really well. I am getting the vibe he doesn't actually believe any of this and he sounds very skeptical. I respond by telling him that it's almost always surprising when people exhibit bad behavior and that even teachers do bad things...that doesn't make her any more credible in my eyes. He acknowledged that. In fact, it's worse because I would be really concerned to have someone like that teaching a kid. Lack of empathy, accountability, and integrity. I mean, I think it's great he's trying to have her back but there are moments in life when you need to draw a line and act swiftly...these are one of those moments. Because ultimately, this impacts the reputation of your camp. I told him that it would be good to offer training to his staff in case this ever happens again in the future and honestly he sounded baffled and asked me to clarify...I said well maybe tell your staff not to give dirty looks to a mom who's clearly upset that her son just got pushed by a grown adult at summer camp?? I told him that the response to this situation could've resulted in a totally different outcome. Had she said something like "I really don't recall pushing you but if I inadvertently did and made you feel bad I'm sorry - I didn't mean to do that" - I would've went home that morning feeling fine about the situation. When I told him this he said that he's not going to police all her reactions, that she's still young, that she's still learning and made all kinds of excuses for her. Exhausting. Apparently she got a "warning" and will sit out of the flag activity (umm, ok...). He seems like a smart guy and wish him nothing but success in the future and I was earnestly trying to offer advice for how to handle a situation like this better but it fell on deaf ears. I really hope that some kind of learning comes out of this for both of them. Oh and to top it off, my son's friend told her mom that Carson was giving her looks several times throughout the day today and when she asked what kind she said "side eye" looks. NOT COOL. My son also said she was kind of mean to him but wondering why they were even in close proximity when Michael said they'd absolutely be separated and would not see each other? Validates we both made the right choice by pulling them both out. He offered a refund but I'm still pissed about the situation.

We've been coming to Bloom for a long time, since my kiddo was maybe 2 or 3? We started with a baby…read moremusic class, then moved on to ballet for a year. We recently came back and tried various classes from broadway - music. All of our teachers have been very nice. If you're looking for a professional well structured school, I'm not sure this is the place for that. If you're looking for a place for your child to be creative and socialize, I think this is the place for you. Parking would be on the street/meters. The weekends are a bit difficult to find parking with multiple churches and lots of restaurants around the school. There are tv monitors so you can watch your child while they're in class. There are lots of places to sit inside and outside while you wait for your child. Class sizes are fairly small. The cost is typical of LA prices. We take classes in another city as well and the cost is $40 less/month, however, class sizes in affordable studios also have triple the amount of students.

Such a great place to take our son Saturday mornings. He loves the baby classes with Lev! Highly…read morerecommend!!

I had a great experience at the Eagle Arts Center's nature printing making class. Valerie and…read moreEugenia were amazing instructors--Valerie explained the mulberry paper process and printing techniques in a way that was both clear and engaging. I brought my son along, and even though he got a bit tired, Eugenia was incredibly kind and attentive. She made sure he was still having fun and even helped me keep him engaged, which I really appreciated. I highly recommend these art workshops, whether you're going on your own or bringing your kids. It's a fun, welcoming, and creative environment for everyone.

we came here for a friend's wedding and it was BEAUTIFUL!!! the building is gorgeous inside and…read moreout. great spot for a 100 person wedding. my only complaint would be that they only had one stall restrooms so the ladies room line got pretty long very quickly.

I had a wildly bizarre interaction with Purple Twig owner Samara. We missed the first class in a…read morenew series due to incorrect communication about start dates from the studio; I asked for a make-up class or refund, she refused (citing studio policy), and I said fine, but that that seemed like poor customer service given the error on her part. We had attended the second class (thinking it was the first), and at that class the teacher clearly stated that only three students showed up at class one; I also heard another parent say she didn't know the session had started the previous week, either. Yet then, Samara apparently discussed this with the teacher, then came back to me via email and wrote: "I was disappointed that you knowingly and falsely implied that other families were also misled in the start date so you could get a refund." She continued on to say that my family was not a good fit for her studio, and essentially booted us from classes. Is this not an insane way to do business? I had already told her that I would accept no refund or make-up class, and yet she pushed the issue, all over email. She must hide behind some really nice teachers. I will not be recommending her studio to anyone.

For my daughter's 8th birthday party, we wanted to do something safe, but also wanted to celebrate…read moreafter such a long time at home. We asked purple twig to help come up with an activity to keep 7 kids entertained in the backyard. Samara suggested a build your own fairy garden pack. Which was perfect for 7/8 yr old girls (my 6 yr old boy also loved it). She supplied really helpful instructions which ensured the activity lasted for over an hour and the girls were all super focused - and very proud of their creations. A great birthday party. Thanks!

My second time here at Occidental College. This time it was for my niece's high school…read moregraduation... Class of 2025. Street parking nearby this college was all taken up so I had to park a bit further which wasn't too bad actually. It still took me about 10 mins to walk in. This time around I took a short cut by walking through the campus than walking around the campus like last time to get to the amphitheater where the graduation took place. By doing so, I got a chance to see a bit more of the campus. It's quite serene and quiet. This college was built on a hill for sure. Lots of uphill. If there's uphill, then there is downhill. It all balances out. I don't know if I'll be returning to this college any time soon since both my younger brother's kids have graduated from high school. Nevertheless, I was able to capture some new photos from my recent visit. Enjoy them! I am very proud of my niece for her accomplishments. I wish her all the very best in her next chapters in life. Go have more fun adventures!

The Moore Lab of Zoology at Occidental College is absolutely breathtaking. I had the chance to…read morevisit the lab with my ornithology class, and they have a wide collection of different species of birds ranging from hummingbirds to a harpy eagle. Wish we stayed longer, but it was a very fun experience.

My kids have been at BTC for 6 years. Samantha is a great business owner and does an amazing job…read morecreating programs for the kids and supervising her staff. BTC is a staple in South Pasadena and deserves our support. I'm familiar with all the other programs in the area, and BTC is the best. Also, I work in a business with vulnerable populations, not unlike BTC. DOJ background checks, staff supervision, and state regulations do everything humanly possible to prevent the wrong people from working at a business. I trust that Samantha does everything possible to create a safe space for the children she cares for. I wholeheartedly believe Samantha handled the unfortunate situation perfectly and let's not forget that the events DID NOT happen while the person worked at BTC. Let's speak up in support of this small business owner who is a valued part of our community!!!

My kids attended BTC for five years, and we had an amazing experience. Samantha fosters a strong…read moresense of community, and the activities were always creative and fun. The teachers were top-notch--my kids sometimes didn't want to leave when I came to pick them up! I would recommend Beyond the Classroom to any family in search of a warm, caring afterschool program or summer camp.

This review is long overdue!…read more We've been part of the Rayuela community for the past five years, and it has truly become more than just a school, it's become our family. Both of our children (who are very different from each other!) have thrived here. It's clear that Rayuela is a place that supports all kinds of learners and personalities. As a non-native Spanish-speaking household, the language aspect was especially important to me. Both of my kids have grown comfortable not only with the Spanish language but also with the diverse cultures that come with it. I'm confident in saying that I have bilingual learners. The teachers are absolutely wonderful and kind. They treat my kids like their own. Even though the school is play-based, both of my children have shown strong academic growth. My oldest was more than ready for kindergarten, and my youngest is on the same path. I can't say enough good things about Rayuela. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a warm, caring community where their child can grow socially, academically, linguistically, and holistically.

My son has been at Rayuela for the past year and a half and he is thriving! The teachers are so…read morewarm and caring and we love the Spanish immersion combined with the Montessori method. My son's Spanish language exploded, he has made close friends and we have found a wonderful community of parents that we hang out with all the time. Our son never wants to leave when we pick him up (and he's there until 5) because he's having so much fun. He's also learning a ton- singing the alphabet, recognizing letters and he comes home with amazing art. We are excited to send our second son to Rayuela when he turns 2! We feel so lucky to have become a part of this special community.

Had a very good experience. Shout out to Catie, Nick and Isabel. The company and its staff are…read moreincredible and friendly. Highly recommend booking these guys!

We did the half day program for a week in South Pasadena and our child quite enjoyed it! The…read moreinstructor was welcoming and patient and the class did a lot of projects with maximum inout and creativity from the children. One kid -not mine thankfully!- shocked himself by not following directions as reported by my child, but I guess they will remember to wait for instructions next time. I am not sure about a full day program because the community room is very small and no park or playground time is built in. But, for a half day it was a good experience.

We spent 2 hours here, but could have spent so much more time if we didn't have a deadline. We went…read moreon the free day (first Friday of the month), but with that free ticket you only get 2 to 3 hours in the afternoon before the place closes, so it's a great taster to make you want to come again! Our kids ages 2 to 7 all had a great time! There was so much to do, from walking through the river and doing water play, to sand play in the pretend lake, to crafts (that we didn't have time for), to climbing equipment, and building/engineering/physics activities. Plenty of things to do both indoor and outdoor. The physics section is great for older kids too, even middle school (but the rest of the museum is definitely geared to elementary).

Free Parking, confusing at first as it's a shared lot for the park. There was a line upon arrival…read moreso you can actually buy tickets online and bypass the other line. The museum is both indoors and outdoors. There's several activities that are geared towards older kids such as sitting on seat and self-pull to go up. Or a tug a war type thing. The other outdoor activities are for all ages, they have areas where you can bang on stuff to hear the sounds. There's an indoor which I feel the younger ones loves such as the train table or the parachute. Overall there's activities for all ages. There was even a spot if someone wants to read and do storytime. Fun overall. It can get pricey. I'm not big on places charging adults as it truly is more for the kids.

My child has always gone to summer camp at the Y, and every year drop off was a struggle. This…read moresummer we decided to try something different, and I am so glad we did. My kid absolutely LOVES Camp Kids Klub. The smaller counselor to child ratio really makes a difference. My child gets the attention and encouragement they deserve, and comes home happy every single day. The biggest sign that they love it? They barely even say goodbye to me at drop off anymore. What has impressed me most is how much thought goes into the program. This is not a camp where the kids are just kept busy until it's time to go home. Every day they come home excited to tell me about what they did, and the activities are fun, engaging, and educational without feeling like school. The staff are kind, attentive, and genuinely seem to care about each child. As a parent, I also appreciate knowing my kid is safe, well cared for, and well fed throughout the day. Finding a camp that your child is genuinely excited to attend every morning is priceless. I feel incredibly lucky we found Camp Kids Klub, and I would recommend it without hesitation to any parent looking for a fun, enriching, and caring summer camp.

My kid loves it here. Every morning she is so exciting to go. I can't say enough good things about…read morethe program they are running here.