Summer Fun Recreation Program

All families are encouraged to apply for Low-Income Registration.

Program Fees:

The Summer Fun program is free for low-income families, with a nonrefundable administrative fee of $35 per child. 

Do I qualify as low income? You qualify under any of the following criteria:

• Receive government assistance of any kind (Section 8 Housing, CalFresh, CalWORKS, SNAP, Medi-Cal, LIHEAP/CARE, etc.)
• Receive assistance through any other low-income qualifying program
• Provide proof of income meeting the Housing Authority's income limits
  • Qualifying documents include your 2025 Income Tax Return, 2025 W-2 Form, or two months of pay stubs for each adult in your household

Can I still participate if I don't qualify as low income? 

Yes! For families that exceed the income limits, the Summer Fun program is $490 per child for 7 weeks of camp (only $70 per week) for 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. care!

Program Requirements:

Participants must have a current 2026 Medical Questionnaire completed and on file in their PerfectMind account. 

• The Medical Questionnaire must be completed through your PerfectMind account by selecting My Profile and then Amend Medical Information.

Participants must have updated emergency contacts listed in their account. 

• See the Authorized Pick-Up / Excused Absences drop-down list below. 

Low-Income Registration Application: 

• Low-income families must submit the Low-Income Registration Application and upload supporting documents
• See Application below and list of Accepted Documents above
• Approved families will be notified to update their PerfectMind account and complete registration

Low-Income Registration Application (Summer Fun Program)

Open Registration: 

• Families that exceed the income limits may register on PerfectMind 
• Program fee during Open Registration is $490 per child

Registration deadline: June 17

Register

Authorized Pick-Up

To update your information, please follow these simple steps:

1.) Log-in to PerfectMind.com
2.) Once logged in, click on "My Profile" then "My Info".
3.) Click on your child’s name (if you have more than one child, you will need to update each child individually)
4.) Click on the purple “Edit” button
5.) Scroll down “Emergency Contacts / Authorized Pick Up Persons” and you can add up to 4 people.

If you need to add more than 4 people, please email RAP@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. 

Instructions

Excused Absences 

Exceptions will be made due to illness, emergencies, 1-week family trip/reunion, or participation in summer camp scholarship administered by the Santa Barbara Police Activities League (PAL). Click the button below if you need to excuse an absence from Summer Fun. 

Absence FormFormulario de ausencia

The Parks and Recreation Summer Fun - Junior Counselor In-Training Program is designed for young adults entering the 7th-12th grades for the 2026-2027 academic school year. JC’s will have the opportunity to gain community service hours and leadership experience under the guidance of Parks and Recreation Summer Fun camp staff. JC’s are expected to interact with campers, help with activities and special events, and most importantly, serve as a positive role model for younger campers.

THE JUNIOR COUNSELOR PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. 

Program Requirements:

All Parks and Recreation participants must have a current 2026 Medical Questionnaire completed and on file in their PerfectMind account. The Medical Questionnaire must be completed through your PerfectMind account by selecting My Profile and then Amend Medical Information.

All participants must also have updated emergency contacts listed in their account. See the Authorized Pick-Up / Excused Absences drop-down list above. 

Please note: Failure to complete these requirements will result in automatic withdrawal from the Summer Fun - Junior Counselor In-Training Program.

How to Apply

To be considered for the Summer Fun Junior Counselor In-Training Program, JC applicants are required to do the following:

1. A Recommendation Form- This form must be completed by a Teacher, School Principal, or Mentor. Please do not use a family member as a reference. See below "2026 JC Recommendation Form."
2. 2026 Junior Counselor In-Training Application. Please note: the application must be completed by the Junior Counselor and not a parent or guardian.
3. Mandatory Interview (see below) - all JC applicants must attend the Mandatory Interview in order to qualify for the program. 

Important Dates

• Summer Fun Junior Counselor Application Due: Friday, May 1, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.
• Mandatory Junior Counselor Interview: Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Carrillo Recreation Center, 100 E. Carrillo St. Details about the interview will be emailed to all applicants.
• JC’s that are accepted into the program will be notified by email on: Friday, May 13, 2026
• If selected, JC’s must pay the $35 non-refundable fee by: Friday, June 19, 2026.
• If selected, JC’s must be present (at their site) for training: Monday, June 22, 2026 at 8:45 a.m. sharp   

Additional Information

For questions about the Junior Counselor Program, please call (805) 564-5495 or email us at RAP@SantaBarbaraCA.gov