Calling All Children and Teens

Don't cry to me that there's nothing to do in Pasadena this summer. That just means you haven't looked!

The City of Pasadena offers plenty of free events and activities for children and teens.

Here's what's coming up:


KIDS SAFETY ACADEMY
This annual five-Saturday course from 9 a.m. to noon for children ages 6 to 12 and their parents is taught by Pasadena police officers and firefighters and includes stranger danger, fire safety, disaster preparedness, environmental stewardship, community leadership, water skills, outdoor safety, bike rules and more. It begins this Saturday, July 11, and space is limited, so call (626) 744-7659 TODAY to see if there's still some room for you!

ANIME AFTERNOON
Saturday, July 11, noon to 2 p.m. -- Teens who like reading manga will love this program at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St. You'll see new anime releases and critique them. Your reviews will go directly to the companies that produce the anime. While you're at it, join our official anime club!


WEEK-LONG SEMINARS FOR TEENS
Monday, July 13, to Friday, July 17
* 2 to 4 p.m. – Make beautiful baskets and more from recycled milk cartons based on a traditional style from Japan during the five-day Oriental Fusion camp at Pasadena Central Library. Class size is limited, so call (626) 744-4766 to reserve your spot!
* 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Professional photographer Janell Mithani will help you learn how to take their best shots and then enter their best work in a photography contest during the Digital Photography camp at Allendale Branch Library, 1130 W. Marengo Ave. Class size is limited, so call (626) 744-7260 to reserve your spot!
* 3 to 5:30 p.m. – Discover fun, quick and healthy recipes during the five-day Fast Food Fixings camp at San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd. Class size is limited, so call (626) 744-7270 to reserve your spot!
* 3:30 to 6 p.m. – Learn a choreographed jazz piece during a five-day dance camp at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. Class size is limited, so call (626) 744-7262 to reserve your spot in the dance line! The teens will perform the piece for friends and family on Saturday, July 18.

TAKE A HIKE!
Tuesday, July 14, 7 p.m. -- Teens will see a presentation by City of Pasadena naturalist Elise Jackson at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd., then head out for a hike to explore our local wilderness.

MOVIES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES (WE'LL SUPPLY THE POPCORN!)
* Wednesday, July 15, 4 p.m. – “Tale of Despereaux” with the voices of Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, William H. Macy and Christopher Lloyd in the story of a misfit mouse, an unhappy rat and a bumbling servant girl whose fates are intertwined with that of the castle’s princess. Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St.
* Tuesday, July 21, 4 p.m. -- "Bolt" with the voices of John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Malcolm McDowell and James Lipton in the story of a dog who is the star of a sci-fi/action show who believes his powers are real as he embarks on a cross-country trek to save his co-star from perceived danger. Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave.
* Thursday, July 23, 3 p.m. -- "Horton Hears a Who" with the voices of Jim Carey, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Amy Poehler and Jamie Pressley in the beloved tale by Dr. Seuss of an imaginative elephant who teaches his young friends about the amazing world around them. Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave.
* Wednesday, July 29, 4 p.m. -- "Bolt" comes to the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library.


SUMMER RECREATION
There are plenty of free (and low-cost) activities at parks and pools throughout Pasadena. Explore the opportunities here. Please note that for all summer recreation programs, enrollment is limited and spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

JUNIOR PUBLIC SAFETY ACADEMY
Monday, Aug. 3, through Friday, Aug. 8, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -- Forty teens ages 13 to 18 will be chosen for a five-day seminar to learn about police and fire careers. They'll discover everything they need to know about the duties of police detectives, forensics teams, traffic officers, jail staff and more at Pasadena Police Department headquarters, then move on to Pasadena Fire Department HQ to learn about fire safety, survival skills and more. Interested? Contact Officer Vito Gaxiola at vgaxiola@cityofpasadena.net or (626) 744-7651.

AUGUST IS YOUTH MONTH!
Day One, the City of Pasadena and many other organizations sponsor daily activities and field trips for children and teens throughout the month of August. Click here for the calendar and more information.

AND MUCH MORE!
Click here for more on children's programs.
Or here for more on teen programs.