Reach for the Stars After School Program

Reach for the Stars After School Program Grant-funded Before/After School program and Summer Academy within WCSD. Serves 1,500+ TK-8 students @ WCSD school sites.

Our focus is helping families by providing a safe, nurturing environment to prevent learning loss and support academic/social growth. The Reach for the Stars Program is an expanded day program. We run several programs under the RFTS umbrella: Reach for the Stars After School Program (during the school year), Jump Start Before School Program (during the school year) & our Jump Start Summer Program

. As part of the Whittier City School District, we have been able to serve more than 1, 000 students a year. We provide quality programming that includes homework assistance, academic enrichment {STEAM-(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), Literature, Writing, Cooking and Nutrition (healthy lifestyle option), Choir, Dance and Band. We have partnerships with Whittier City School District, the City of Whittier, the Boys & Girls Club, RMH Dance & Productions, local colleges and many more. RFTS is at all (9) elementary sites {Andrews, Hoover, Jackson, Longfellow, Mill, Orange Grove, Phelan, Sorensen and West Whittier} and at the (2) Middle School {Dexter and Edwards}. Our Jump Start Before School Program will be at all (9) elementary sites and at the (2) Middle School sites, starting this Fall {2022}. Our program follows common core standards, aligns with the school day and focuses on PBIS {Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports}. We have received the 2014 Golden Bell award for Outstanding Student Services and most recently the CA Department of Education awarded all of our 11 sites with the DASH (Distinguished After School Health) Award for our healthy behaviors and nutrition education. RFTS has been providing quality services to our students and the community since 1999.

07/17/2026

🩵💜🧡💛🩷💚

07/16/2026

The buses have left Camp Arbolado!!!

Day 3 of Camp: Exploration, Fun in the Sun and Building Community! Can’t get any better than this!
07/16/2026

Day 3 of Camp: Exploration, Fun in the Sun and Building Community! Can’t get any better than this!

Time to gather by the campfire! 🌝🌌🪵
07/16/2026

Time to gather by the campfire! 🌝🌌🪵

Day 2 of Camp Arbolado! Beautiful scenery and a day filled with adventure!
07/15/2026

Day 2 of Camp Arbolado! Beautiful scenery and a day filled with adventure!

Day 1 @ Camp Arbolado! A little rain can't stop the campers from having a great time!
07/14/2026

Day 1 @ Camp Arbolado! A little rain can't stop the campers from having a great time!

07/14/2026

🏕️✨ One last summer adventure under the stars!

Our final Overnight Family Camping events of 2026 are happening this August—and you don’t want to miss them. ⛺🌙

Spend the night at the park, make memories with family, and explore the night sky with telescopes provided by the Los Angeles Astronomical Association. 🔭✨

📍 Whittier Narrows Recreation Area
📅 Friday, August 7 | 6:00 p.m.

📍 Castaic Lake Recreation Area
📅 Friday, August 14 | 6:00 p.m.

📍 Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park
📅 Friday, August 14 | 6:00 p.m.

📍 Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
📅 Friday, August 21 | 6:00 p.m.

📍 Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area
📅 Friday, August 28 | 6:00 p.m.

🎟️ $15 general admission | FREE for kids 13 & under

Spots are limited, so grab your camping gear and save yours today! 🏕️
🔗 bit.ly/overnightcamping

Our campers made it to Camp!!!
07/13/2026

Our campers made it to Camp!!!

07/13/2026

Our WCSD incoming and outgoing 6th-grade students are off to Camp Arbolado!!! We are excited to have them spend some time unplugging, connecting with nature and each other.

Thanks to the YMCA of Greater Whittier, Ms. Soretta and Mr. Suman for helping us with this amazing opportunity for our kiddos!

Address

10626 Orange Grove Avenue, Rm 1
Whittier, CA
90601

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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