Robbin Mackbee Firefighter/EMS Youth Academy
A nine-month youth academy in Vallejo run in partnership with the Vallejo Fire Department, Vallejo Unified School District, and Medic Ambulance, offering mentorship, CPR/First Aid/disaster-medicine training, and structured career exploration for youth interested in firefighting or EMS careers.
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BSA Learning for Life Fire & EMS Career Exploring
A national Learning for Life career-exploration program placing youth from 6th grade through age 20 into local 'Exploring' posts hosted by fire departments and EMS agencies, combining classroom training with hands-on practice in firefighting, EMT/paramedic skills, and search and rescue. Local posts operate throughout Northern California, findable via the national Council Locator.
San Jose Fire Explorers Post 888
A Learning for Life Explorer post run by the San Jose Fire Department that trains young people in firefighting techniques, emergency response, and leadership through classroom instruction and hands-on drills, while participants earn community service hours and direct exposure to a fire service career.
Woodland Fire Explorer Post 911
A Boy Scouts of America-affiliated Explorer post hosted by the Woodland (CA) Fire Department near Sacramento, teaching high-school-aged youth all aspects of the fire service through hands-on training, mentorship from active firefighters, and community service projects. Meets three times a month at Woodland Fire Station 3.
Y-PLAN (Youth - Plan, Learn, Act Now)
An award-winning K-12 civic youth engagement initiative run by UC Berkeley's Center for Cities + Schools, in which students research real local challenges (like sea level rise, housing displacement, or transportation) and pitch concrete redevelopment proposals to actual city officials and planners. The program has partnered with schools in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, East Palo Alto, San Rafael, and San Jose.
BAVC Media Next Gen
Next Gen is a free semester-long after-school media program at BAVC Media in San Francisco for youth ages 14-17, distinct from BAVC's other youth offerings like Climate Warriors. Students choose a track in DSLR video production/cinematography (Factory) or frame/stop-motion animation, meet twice weekly, and can earn a $300 completion incentive while building a college-application portfolio.
Best Buddies High School Friendship Program (California)
A national program with active California high school chapters that pairs students with and without intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) in one-to-one friendships. Buddy pairs commit to weekly contact and at least two in-person hangouts per month, alongside chapter-wide inclusive social events.