Building the Framework for Excellence
Explore our Whole Child, CASEL-aligned Programming
Our programs are anchored in a whole-child educational framework encompassing the academic, physical, and social-emotional development of TK-12 young people. Programs are designed in collaboration with school administrators, parents and youth who all guide our program design and curation. Youth-led interests, inclusivity and local community cultural awareness are at the center of our program design.
All programs are aligned with your school goals and the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework. We offer a menu of programming available year-round, from which our partners can build a custom-designed experience to meet school needs. Young people discover a world of interest in the arts, STEM, sports, leadership, outdoor education, and more through our programs:
Our Program Portfolio
Enhancing expanded learning through community aligned, youth-driven programs for TK-12 students.
Before & After School
- TK-12 after school programs include snack, homework help, physical activity and enrichment in the arts, STEM, sports and more!
- Students choose from 100+ activities, with opportunities to participate in culminating site, regional and agency-wide competitions.
- Events are hosted to encourage parent engagement and promote positive school culture.
Summer & School Breaks
- Summer and school break day camps and workshops offer valuable opportunities for social interaction, physical activity, and on-going learning to curb “summer slide.”
- Partial or full-day programs are offered at school-sites.
- Activities include specialty enrichment, field trips, and more!
Specialty Enrichment
- From the performing arts and STEM to sports and strategy games, Woodcraft offers a range of specialty enrichment experiences that can enhance existing afterschool programs.
- High-quality programs, including robotics and Mariachi, encourage creativity, build confidence and more.
Early Learning (TK/K)
- Age-appropriate curriculum and customized training designed to support the developmental needs and abilities of our youngest participants.
- Woodcraft’s early learning initiative is supported by an Early Ed. Manager and Early Learning Associates, as well as staff with early childhood education experience.
Inclusion
- Through partnership provided by the Department of Developmental Services, Woodcraft Rangers launched a first-of-its kind Inclusion team dedicated to providing equitable access to expanded learning programs to youth with intellectual and development disabilities.
- Inclusion Specialists available on-site to provide additional supervision and intervention supports, specialized trainings to provide awareness and strategies, and services available during Camp Woodcraft to allow for inclusive access to outdoor education experiences.
Outdoor Education & Experiences
- We provide outdoor education programs that empower youth in communities with limited access to green spaces.
- Our weekend excursions, hiking field trips, gardening clubs, environmental leadership retreats, and summer sleepaway camps offer safe, guided experiences for youth to reconnect with nature and each other.
Recess & Residencies
- Recess boosts physical activity levels among youth, enhancing memory, attention, and concentration for improved classroom focus. Our recess program offers coaching, facilitation, and curriculum support.
- Residencies feature specialized enrichment activities that complement school day objectives.
Professional Development
We support expanded learning professionals at all levels.
We believe in growth and development of expanded learning and out-of-school time professionals. We offer a range of professional development sessions facilitated by qualified, experienced trainers with an aim to develop 21st Century skills and build knowledge working with youth, families and community members.
Virtual, in-person, and hybrid sessions provide participants with increased knowledge and skill, strategies and resources, mentorship, and more. Each session or series includes follow-up workshops customized for your program goals. Contact us for more details. 
Leadership & Mentoring
- Program Manager Academy
- Site Coordinator Academy
Behavior Engagement& Team Building
- Restorative Practices Behavior Engagement
- Creating a Trauma-Informed Care Environment
Social-Emotional Learning
- Creating an Inclusive Environment
- Creating a Trauma-Informed Care Environment
- Building Character through Healthy
- Sports Competition
- Supporting Youth Mental Health
- Integrating CASEL into Expanded
Program Development
- Foundations of Project-Based Learning (PBL)
- Recruitment Strategies that Work!
- Meaningful Youth-Led Programs
- Continuous Quality Improvement (CQi)
- Outdoor Ethics in Expanded Learning
Planning Activities for Specific Populations
- Creating a Truly Inclusive Environment
Academic Alignment
- Understanding and Adapting to Youth Styles of Learning
- Literacy Games
Communication with Stakeholders
- Creating Strong Communication with Adult Stakeholders
- Building Relationships through Positive Coaching
- Partnering with Parents of Special Needs Youth
- Best Practices in Family Engagement
- Creating Continual Feedback
Child Development & Age-Appropriate Play
- Best Practices for Early Learners: STEAM (TK-3)
- Activity Planning for Elementary Students
Partnership Models
Comprehensive
We operate all aspects of your expanded learning program needs, including grant management, through an all-inclusive suite of services.
Complementary
Add services or program enhancements, including specialty enrichment or intersessional, to align with currently existing programs.
Collaborative
We work together to customize an offering that ensures all interested youth have access to quality enrichment programming.
We Support You
Our partners benefit from over 40 years of Woodcraft Rangers experience offering educational and social-emotional growth opportunities for youth. We have the infrastructure to support our partners by:
Stage 1 Planning and Prep
- Discovery sessions conducted to learn about community and school needs.
- Collaboration with your school to design the most effective program plan.
- Timeline for implementation defined
Stage 2 Program Development
- Recruitment and hiring of staff
- Training schedule created
Stage 3 Activation
- Management of your programs
- Program Directors ensure operational excellence, program quality and cultural and community relevancy.
- Program managers oversee school regions to ensure grant compliance, provide coaching and liaise with district personnel.
- Coordination of onsite programs
- Site Coordinators supervise student record management, program plans and coordinate regular meetings with leadership to ensure program goal alignment.
- Club Leaders serve as youth mentors and lead enrichment programs (20:1 ratio for grades 1-2 in 6-week rotations)
- Monitoring of program content and quality assurance
- Our Learning Department helps to develop curricula, manage a robust, active library and facilitates a holistic professional development framework.
Stage 4 Compliance and Evaluation
- Assurance of effective financial operations
- Our finance team ensures accurate accounting, reporting, fiscal compliance, allocation tracking, and internal controls.
- The team manages invoicing and liaises with business development and CDE.
- Oversight of grant compliance
- In accordance with Federal Program Monitoring, CDE and LACOE standards.
- Liaises for site visits.
- Tracking of data
- Our Data & Evaluation Team’s proprietary online attendance tracking system delivers real-time data on individual club performance, retention analysis, snack and meal records and average daily attendance.
- Evaluation of programs and recommendations for growth.
Stage 5 Reflection and Evolution
- Adjustment of existing programs and evolution or addition of new programs.
- End of year stakeholder surveys and focus groups
FAQs
What is expanded learning?
Expanded learning refers to all before-school, after-school, summer, or intersession programs that may happen on or off a school campus and is often referred to as out-of-school time (OST) enrichment, or extracurriculars. (https://expandla.org/). All Woodcraft Rangers programs take place on site at schools throughout LA County.
What kind of expanded learning models does Woodcraft Rangers operate?
Woodcraft provides 3 partnership models: a comprehensive model which provide full scale enrichment services and grant management, a complementary model that can provide additional specialty services to layer on top of existing programs, or a collaborative model that works alongside existing programs to increase service capacity.
What are intersessional programs?
Intersessional programs refer to services and activities run during periods where schools are closed, such as the winter, spring, or summer breaks.
What is the “Woodcraft Way”?
The Woodcraft Way speaks to a whole-child development philosophy rooted in the values of access, inclusion, and equity. Established by our founder, Ernest Thompson Seton, the Woodcraft Way focuses on developing a young person’s mind, body, spirit, and sense of service, and believing that every child is innately good, deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential, and should be an active participant in defining their own path.
What is “sampling”?
Sampling refers to an intentional process of providing youth the opportunity to engage in a variety of different activities throughout the course of a year. Woodcraft programming operates in 6-week cycles which offer different activities for youth to select.
What grades does Woodcraft serve?
Woodcraft serves youth in TK-12th grades.
Where are Camp Woodcraft programs held?
Camp Woodcraft programs are held in Mountain Center, CA in the San Jacinto Mountains. Some Camp Woodcraft programs are also offered in Big Bear, CA.
What is Woodcraft’s track record on fiscal responsibility and compliance?
Woodcraft has an impeccable history of fiscal responsibility and compliance. Woodcraft has never had an audit finding in annual financial audits including single federal audits. Woodcraft also conducts audits beyond legal requirements and has a required practice of regular rotation of partners.
Woodcraft is also led by experienced financial leadership, including a CFO who has been with the agency for 15 years. Our current auditor is Windes, a highly reputable and sophisticated firm and the WR Board of Directors elects scrutiny above industry standards to ensure the highest level of transparency and accountability. Moreover, Woodcraft has healthy cash reserves and reliable fundraising that ensures sustainability.
Does Woodcraft have experience managing state and federal grants?
Woodcraft has 40 years of experience managing state and federal grants with an impeccable record of compliance. Woodcraft has experience managing grants from ASES, 21st Century, E-LOP, DDS, and CNRA.
How does Woodcraft manage risk for partners?
Woodcraft understands how important mitigating risk is to protect young people in our care and our partners. Operationally, Woodcraft has tight operational controls and robust safety protocol and Woodcraft’s impressive staffing strategy ensures all sites are always in ratio to prevent incidents and respond quickly. Furthermore, Woodcraft has an impeccable record of grant compliance, and Woodcraft has not had any legal claims in the last 5 years and WR current financial leadership has led the agency to more than a decade of clean audits with no findings.
Does Woodcraft handle its own staffing?
Yes. Woodcraft Rangers' internal HR and Learning & Development departments manage all levels of staffing from recruitment to onboarding and training.