Making Every Summer Moment Count

August 21, 2026

This summer, excitement, laughter and new experiences filled the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos’ Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation Branch. Each year, that energy is made possible by a community who believes every child deserves the chance to create unforgettable summer memories.

For many families, quality summer programming can be financially out of reach. Thanks to the generosity of partners and donors like North City, California Bank & Trust, ER2, Hoover Taylor Properties, LLC, TrueCare and our community of summer champions, the Club is able to offer scholarship support to ensure all youth have access to a summer filled with enriching experiences, caring mentors and opportunities to thrive.

This year saw tremendous growth, with a record number of campers who participated in the Club’s day camp programs. The Zable Foundation Branch welcomed more than 100 elementary school-aged youth each day to explore new interests through specialty clubs like Esports and SMART Girls and engage in a variety of activities like DIY projects, arts and crafts and, of course, friendly competitions in the Gamesroom.

For Club member Jose, summer was filled with new discoveries through hands-on STEM activities.

“In DIY STEM I learned how plants soak up water and how they grow if you put seeds in a wet paper towel,” he said. “That was very interesting to me because I didn't know that before!"

Field trips were also a highlight of the program, with several outings made possible through the Club’s partnerships with organizations like Thermo Fisher Scientific and Regal. Members recently visited the Thermo Fisher campus in Carlsbad for a “Science of You” event celebrating 10 years of national partnership between the global life sciences company and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where they took part in hands-on activities about DNA with guidance from employee volunteers.

Campers also enjoyed field trips to San Marcos’ Regal Movie Theater to watch Scoob!, Despicable Me 4 and The Sandlot, all made possible by a Regal Summer Movie Express Grant.

“When it comes to field trips, being able to provide these experiences for kids at no cost with the help of our partners and grant funders gives them memories they can take with them long after summer ends and makes them excited to return the following year, which is very rewarding,” said Ximena Perez, camp lead at the Zable Foundation Branch.

But the impact goes far beyond fun activities and field trips. For parents who are working during the summer months, the Club provides peace of mind knowing their children have a safe place to spend their break from school.

“It's nice that I have a place to go in the summer while my mom works, and to be able to just have fun with my friends at the Club,” said 11-year-old Club member, Alma.

As summer comes to an end and students transition into the new school year, one thing remains clear: these moments would not be possible without the unwavering support of our donors and community partners. Thank you for investing in the potential of local youth and helping create a summer filled with laughter, discovery and memories that will last long after the season ends.

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At the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos, we're dedicated to helping young people achieve Great Futures, and this year, our graduating seniors are doing just that. We are proud to celebrate 20 remarkable high school graduates, each of whom is taking the next step toward a bright future. This year, 100% of our Club seniors have committed to post-secondary plans, whether that means attending a four-year university, enrolling in community college, pursuing a trade or technical program, or serving in the military. These next steps come as a result of years of hard work and perseverance. Many of these graduates have been part of the Club for years, growing from elementary school members into confident young leaders. Several of them have also participated in our Career Pathways program, where they’ve dedicated countless hours to preparing for life after high school. Through hands-on workshops and mentorship, they developed essential career-readiness skills, including resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, professional communication, networking and have explored a variety of career paths. These experiences have equipped them with the confidence, knowledge and tools they need to successfully navigate their next chapter. The hard work and determination of our seniors have also been recognized through scholarships, with this year's graduating class earning more than $91,000 in scholarship awards . Their achievements are a testament to their resilience, leadership and determination to achieve their goals. As they turn their tassels and begin this exciting new chapter, we celebrate not only their accomplishments but also the bright futures that lie ahead. We can't wait to see all they will achieve!

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