Stage A Special Event

These companies would love to help you plan assemblies, field trips, fundraisers and other events for your school, scout troop, sports team, work party or family reunion! Some even offer special pricing for large groups. Tell them San Diego Family Magazine sent you!

ABC Children’s Dentistry
Rancho Peñasquitos
858-780-9794
www.abcchildrensdentistry.com
At-school programs. Field trips. We are a dental practice who specialize in taking care of children’s teeth. Our goal is prevention of tooth decay and promotion of dental health for children. Our office is especially child friendly. We believe in creating a fun atmosphere so children will never be afraid of getting dental care. We offer at-school programs and office tours to promote dental care and decrease dental anxiety.

Action & Apollo Jumps
858-279-0343
www.action-jumps.com
Carnivals. Many varieties of jumps to choose from. Safe equipment. Reliable, polite and friendly staff. Discounts for school carnivals.

Airtime
619-660-9357
www.AirtimeParty.com
Carnivals. Field trips. Fundraisers. Group rates. East County’s Ultimate Party House! Gigantic 8,000 sq. ft., air-conditioned inflatable amusement park.

All About Mandarin Academy
La Jolla
858-780-1888
www.AllAboutMandarin.US
Assemblies. Carnivals. At-school programs. 1. Academic excellence with structured learning in listening, speaking, reading and writing. 2. Integrating culture and connecting with other subjects and disciplines. 3. Fun and interactive activities to engage children’s interest: songs, games, role playing, skits and other fun cultural activities. 4. Diversified Chinese programs: Toddlers(1-3), Preschoolers(3-5), School-Age students (5+) and Adults. 5. Low teacher to student ratio. 6. Provide Chinese learning materials and Chinese teaching supplies.

Always Bouncin’
800-888-8442
www.alwaysbouncin.com
Carnivals. San Diego’s finest bounce rental company! Offering a great selection of inflatables from bounce houses to obstacle courses! Check out our new website or call today! Family owned and operated. 

Amtrak
800-USA-RAIL
Amtrak.com
Group rates. Scenic rail travel on the Pacific Surfliner offers 11 round trips daily from San Diego to Los Angeles, continuing to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Comfortable seating and wide windows for taking in the most beautiful coastal views in Southern California. Café car offers a broad spectrum of delicious snacks and beverages. Great way to go car-free to attractions like Disneyland or Universal Studios. Kids ride half-fare. Visit our website or call for reservations/schedules.

Anderson Farms/Victoria’s Gardens
Lakeside
619-390-9571
www.victoriasgardens.us
Field trips. Group rates. Pumpkin Patch open Sept 25-Nov 15! Come to a working farm, bring the whole family. Open to the public, no admission fee! Enjoy our barnyard animals, hayrides, pony rides, straw play area, corn maze, fun jump, flower maze, giant slide, picnic areas and U-pick pumpkins. Please make reservations for educational field trips for groups of 10 or more. Three field trip packages to choose from - all include educational presentation, $4 pumpkin and picnic area. Sept & Nov bookings receive special discounts.

Aqua Pros Swim School
619-209-2990
www.aquapros.org
Assemblies. At-school programs. Field trips. Fundraisers. Group rates. Aqua Pros Swim School can provide FREE Water Safety presentations and workshops at our pool or your school. Designed for all students preschool through high school. Drowning is preventable and we can help teach your students how to be safe around the water. We also offer group swim lesson rates and pool rentals for your next event.

Art for Kids
Mission Hills
619-260-1593
www.art-for-kids.net
At-school programs. Field trips. Group rates. Art for Kids is now offering weekday classes for Homeschools. Teaching and making quality art pieces that are awesome.

Belmont Park
Mission Beach
858-488-1549
www.belmontpark.com
Field trips. Fundraisers. Group rates. Belmont Park is San Diego’s Oceanfront entertainment complex featuring something for everyone. Belmont Park has group packages and fundraising opportunities for schools, businesses, camps, youth groups and more. Have an unforgettable event at Belmont Park featuring unlimited rides, attractions, food and fun!

Big Bear Lake OktoberFest
Big Bear Lake
909-585-3000
www.bigbearevents.com
Group rates. Celebrate friends, family and good times at the Big Bear Lake OktoberFest, weekends Sept 18-Oct 30! Group ticket packages are available for groups of 25 people or more. If you’re planning to bring 24 of your closest friends, make your group reservations at least three weeks in advance and save up to 25%.

Buca di Beppo
Carlsbad, Mira Mesa, Downtown
866-EAT-BUCA
www.bucadibeppo.com
Buca di Beppo is the place for great Italian food and fun! We offer modern Italian cuisine in an eclectic, vintage setting. Buca is the perfect place for celebrating a special occasion, planning a business dinner or grabbing Buca To Go.

Budget Party Rentals
619-669-1085
www.budgetjumps.com
Carnivals. We have many fun styles to choose from to make your next carnival or special event a success. We have great new jumps and combo slides at outstanding prices. Call today.

California Ballet School
Kearny Mesa, 858-560-5676
Pacific Beach, 858-483-8554
La Mesa, 619-667-1300
www.californiaballet.org
Assemblies. Field trips. California Ballet utilizes professionals and Jr. Company members in programs for the youth community. In school assemblies and residencies, outreach performances, daytime classes for homeschoolers, backstage tours and dress rehearsals for school and scout groups.  

California Youth Conservatory Theatre
Carmel Valley, Serra Mesa, Downtown
619-944-7574
www.cyctheatre.com
Assemblies. Field trips. Fundraisers. Group rates. California Youth Conservatory has professional-quality musical theatre productions performing in downtown San Diego and in North County. Students may attend special schools-only performances or take advantage of special student rates for our upcoming production of “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry
Carlsbad
760-633-1131
www.sunnysmilez.com
At-school programs. Field trips. Dr. Cuisia and Dr. Dabir’s dental educator makes school visits for Pre-K to 2nd graders. The visit includes a short, informative DVD presentation.

CeramiCafe Art Lounge
Del Mar, 858-259-9958
Grossmont Center, 619-466-4800
www.ceramicafe.com
Fundraisers. Field trips. Group rates. Looking to host a memorable event filled with fun and creativity? Bring the group to CeramiCafe Art Lounge and paint your own ceramics studio where we provide over 800 blank ceramics (ie: picture frames, dinnerware, flower pots and piggy banks) and everything needed to paint them. Use our design center filled with stamps, stencils and idea books to create your own masterpiece. We also offer mosaics. Our studios will seat 50 people. Call to reserve today. 

Dr. Jean Chan Pediatric Dentistry
El Cajon
619-579-2363
www.healthygrins.com
At-school programs. Field trips. We specialize in the treatment of children and young adults. It is our goal to make a visit to the dentist an enjoyable, educational and rewarding experience. We offer two programs for your consideration. First, we invite groups to visit our office and familiarize children with the procedures used for examining and treating teeth. Second, we are available to come to your school or meeting place to discuss the importance of dental care for children including:prevention of dental decay, dental (oralfacial) growth and development, and dental treatment philosophies. Please call us to set up your “FIELD TRIP” or a visit to your location.

Chasteco Ranch
Poway
858-486-4534
www.chasteco.com
Field trips. Come to our top-of-the-line equestrian facility located in beautiful Poway! Experience horses and riding in the most relaxing, fun and safe setting. We offer riding lessons for all ages, horse and rider training, birthday parties and more!  We are close to Highway 67 and just off of Espola Road. We have a large grass pasture for the horses to graze as well as exquisite landscaping. The ranch is overwhelmingly beautiful, overflowing with breathtaking gardens, flowers and ponds. Our barn is fully equipped with a large tack room and relaxing seating area. We have a “Chasteco Academy” classroom facility for camps where we teach equestrian lessons on parts of the horse, colors, breeds etc. Come enjoy a slice of equestrian heaven!

Children’s Creative & Performing Arts Academy
San Diego, 619-584-2454
El Cajon, 619-440-1704
www.ccpaasd.com
Assemblies. Available for touring productions such as drama productions, string quartet and vocal groups. 

Chivalry Today Educational Program
619-742-2315
www.ChivalryToday.com
Assemblies. At-school programs. Presentations focused on learning the history of knights in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and the personal values of the code of chivalry. Offerings include hands-on classroom presentations, as well as outdoor demonstrations of knightly skill and jousting - perfect for your Renaissance Fair or History Day!

Chula Vista Nature Center
Chula Vista, 619-409-5900
www.chulavistanaturecenter.org
Assemblies. At-school programs. Field trips. Group rates. The Chula Vista Nature Center’s outdoor classroom is an interactive learning environment displaying San Diego Bay’s native wildlife. Over 15,000 K-12 school children annually enjoy field trips to the Nature Center, where they learn about biology, wildlife, endangered species, ecology and habitat preservation. With exhibits displaying seahorses, eagles, and endangered sea turtles, and the surrounding 316-acre wildlife refuge, the Chula Vista Nature Center is a beautiful, peaceful and memorable venue for private events, indoors and out.

City Ballet of San Diego
858-274-6058
www.cityballet.org
Assemblies. Field trips. City Ballet offers special performances of The Nutcracker during school hours December 9, 10, 16 & 17 at Spreckels Theatre. If your school group can’t come to the theater, City Ballet can come to your school and perform a special 40-minute presentation. For more information or bookings, please give us a call.

Corvette Diner & Gamers Garage
Liberty Station
619-542-1476
www.dinersd.com
Fundraisers. Book your next FUNdraiser or themed kid’s party at Corvette Diner & Gamers Garage. It’s the perfect combination of Fun, Food and Fifties for the young and young-at-heart. Plenty of FREE parking. Located in San Diego’s Historic Liberty Station at 2965 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego 92106.

CYT Theater for Kids
619-588-0206
www.cyt.org
Assemblies. Field trips. Group rates. CYT encompasses the arts for many in the community. We offer daytime performances for school field trips, and tour groups that will perform at your assemblies and special events.

Dixon Pediatric Dental Group
Sorrento Valley
858-452-7272
www.drdixon.com
At-school programs. We offer an informative presentation by one of our doctors - discussing how and why we take care of our teeth. Children are given a goodie bag, which includes a new toothbrush and informational handouts for parents.

Elite Gymnastics Academy
El Cajon
619-441-5900
www.elitegymnastics.com
Field trips. Plan your next field trip to Elite Gymnastics. Great for schools, scout groups, charter schools or other organizations!  Group trial classes are available and they’re FREE! Come experience how gymnastics can help kids get fit both physically and mentally. How about an exhibition by our competitive team? Get a taste of what gymnastics is really all about!  For information on any of our classes, programs, group trials or exhibitions, give us a call!

Floaties Swim School
Poway
877-277-7946
www.floatiesswimschool.com
Fundraisers. Group rates. We give school donations to any local school that asks for them. Floaties offers family discounts on our swimming lessons.

GameTruck
Countywide
888-602-4263
www.gametruckparty.com
Carnivals. At-school programs. Fundraisers. The GameTruck is the original mobile video game theater that can be brought to any site (home, church, school, business). We carry the latest multiplayer video games that play on the Wii, XBox 360 and PlayStation 3 on 55-inch plasma screens in a climate controlled environment. Whether it’s a private event for friends and family or a large company event, the GameTruck brings a great social video gaming experience to you. Call us for details.

Helen Woodward Animal Center
Rancho Santa Fe
858-756-4117
www.animalcenter.org
Assemblies. Carnivals. At-school programs. Field trips. Group rates. We offer Educational Programs for ages Pre-K through 12th grade. We promote compassion and responsibility through humane animal education and awareness, using a variety of animals in a standards-based curriculum. Our animal encounters are “hands on” giving students the opportunity to interact with a number of different species, with a strong emphasis on education. We have a mobile classroom, the AniMobile, that can provide on-site animal visits during and after school to fit your organization’s needs.

House of Bounce
619-390-1316
www.houseofbounce.com
Carnivals. House of Bounce has been renting and making inflatables for 15 years. We have many themes to choose from. Our jumps are constructed to be as  safe as possible. Jumpers include safety net and step to keep children from bouncing out of the jump and injuring themselves. House of Bounce jumps are great for parks and events. All our jumps are covered for weather protection and have netting on all four sides.

Joe Gandelman & Friends
Comic Ventriloquist
619-296-6177
www.familyentertainer.com
Assemblies. Carnivals. Fundraisers. San Diego comic ventriloquist Joe Gandelman performs all over the country and is a favorite at local school assemblies, fundraisers, carnivals, scout events, libraries, day cares, afterschool programs, birthday parties, synagogues, churches and preschools. Joe’s fast-moving show features a BIG cast of dummies and puppets including an elephant who squirts water, a dragon who has smoke come out of his nose, a crying baby, magic drawing board, shark and more!

Julie’s Party People
619-440-4387
www.myjuliespartypeople.com
Carnivals. Fundraisers. We are a children’s entertainment company that has been in business for seven years. We have super heroes, princesses and other themed characters that we send to kids parties and corporate events. We have inflatable jumps, interactive jumps, puppet shows, children’s bumper cars and we do face painting! We also assist in event planning!

Jump For Fun
800-281-6792
www.jumpforfun.com
Carnivals. Jump for Fun offers many great attractions! We can make your child’s next party a blast! We offer Jumpers, Combos, Slides, Interactive Units and Refreshment Machines. We have the largest selection of units at the best prices you’ll find! Let us make your next event a real success!

Kidding Around Indoor Playground
Rancho Peñasquitos
858-538-5000
www.kiddingaroundplayground.com
Field trips. We have more than 4,000 square feet of open space dedicated to children up to age 7 - perfect for playgroup field trips! We have a separate, specially padded area for infants, a large climbing structure, two air jumpies, a smaller toddler climbing structure, ride-on cars, slides, two train tables, an 8’ x 10’ doll house and more! For parents we offer a coffee & espresso bar and a lounge to relax and socialize while maintaining visual contact with the main play area at all times. We also offer FREE Wi-Fi, light and healthy food options, smoothies and refreshments as well as specialty drinks.

Kidz-n-Fun
Countywide
760-917-4800
www.kidz-n-fun.com
At-school programs. Carnivals, Fundraisers. Group rates. Our mobile gym provides fitness, gymnastics, dance, art, mommy & me, kids personal training, musical theater, evening teen & adult ballet and jazz classes, camps, and party programs for all ages. We offer these programs throughout the county at preschools, middle schools, gyms and community centers. We expect to establish a physical location to offer in-house studio classes and include parents night out.

Knuckleheads Gym
Carlsbad
760-438-8600
www.knuckleheadscarlsbad.com
Carnivals. Field trips. Fundraisers. Group rates. Special Events at Knuckleheads Gym are one of a kind! Our Special Event Planners and Coaches will custom design an event that will incorporate fun fitness with exceptional service! Raising funds is easy at Knuckleheads AND we offer anywhere from 10 - 25% of your group proceeds back to your organization. Events are ALWAYS easy because we do all the work from set up to clean up!

Legoland California Resort
Carlsbad
760-918-5346
www.legoland.com
Field trips. Group rates. Legoland California Resort is a family attraction destination featuring a Legoland theme park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. Right next door, the new Sea Life Aquarium puts families in touch with the aquatic world in a truly memorable way. Both attractions are also the perfect location for Birthday Parties.

Little Artists
Poway, 858-486-1555
San Carlos, 619-462-1955
UTC, 858-268-2255
www.mylittleartists.com
At-school programs. Little Artists brings fun, structured drawing lessons to your school. Students practice drawing a variety of different subjects including animals, cartoons, landscapes and still life while also learning how to work with colored pencil, oil pastel, chalk pastel and graphite. Students learn about art in the best way, by creating it!

Magician Michael E. Johnson
760-747-4627; 858-483-8632
www.magicbirthdays.com
Assemblies. Carnivals. Michael E. Johnson is Southern California’s award-winning favorite, named San Diego’s Entertainer of the Year three times by the International Brotherhood of Magicians. His services cover birthday parties, school programs, family events, festivals, fundraisers and carnivals. His interactive magic show brings fun and excitement to all ages. His magic class is featured at YMCAs and colleges throughout the region. Let him appear at your event and watch the magic happen!

Mega Arte Riding Academy
San Elijo/Elfin Forest
760-822-4778
www.ridingacademy.biz
Assemblies. Carnivals. Field trips. Fundraisers. Group rates. We offer a unique hobby farm experience, including pony rides and group trail rides. Tour our 5-acre ranch, feed and bond with our 16 horses and ponies, our llama, goats, sheep, ducks, peacocks, turtles, baby bunnies and chicks. We’ve had field trip visits from many schools, including Montessori School of Encinitas, Encinitas Country Day, Rancho Santa Fe Elementary, Vista & Carlsbad Unified School Districts, Temple Solel, The Children’s School of La Jolla, and many Girl Scout troops. We are rated #1 in San Diego as a party/event ranch to visit.

Metro Dance
Linda Vista
619-299-6387
www.MetroDanceSD.com
Assemblies. Carnivals. At-school programs. Field trips. Group rates. Metro Dance offers a fitness assembly entitled “Fitness Thru Dance” for elementary through high school students which includes a speaker, video and live demonstration. We also offer satellite dance programs for all ages at the school or facility during school hours or as an after-school program. We do free entertainment for all local school carnivals or events and welcome students into our studio for a fun field trip event, which includes a tour and hip hop dance class. Please call for more information.

Monart School of the Arts
Solana Beach
858-259-7154
www.northsandiegomonart.com
At-school programs. We offer art programs at many North County schools. Check your child’s school for information. The uniquely designed Monart methodology teaches visual perception and realistic drawing skills to young children while promoting a healthy, positive sense of self esteem in a non-competitive, non-judgmental and educational environment.

Murray Callan Swim Schools
Pacific Beach, 858-273-7946
San Marcos, 760-744-7946
www.murraycallanswimschools.com
Group rates. Owned and custom designed exclusively for teaching infants & young children to swim. Over 50 years experience. Crystal Clear 93º water.

My Little Carnival
619-571-7654
www.mylittlecarnival.com
Carnivals. Fundraisers. Let My Little Carnival attract guests to your next  fundraising event or just-for-fun festival. We can provide everything from the carnival game set up and concession stands to a Stilt Walker, Juggler, Airbrush Face Painter to the jumpers, decorations, catering, generators, lighting and just about anything you might need! We can provide service for any size event from 30 to 3,000 or more guests.

New West Ballet School
San Marcos
760-741-3838
www.nwballet.com
Assemblies. At-school programs. Field trips. Group rates. We offer ballet classes all year and are available for demonstrations, assemblies and field trips. Come see The Nutcracker at the Poway Center for the Arts on Friday, Nov 26 @ 7 pm; Saturday, Nov 27 @ 2 pm and 7 pm; Sunday, Nov 28 @ 2 pm. Special group rates will be available. Plan a holiday party! 

Noonan Family Swim School
4S Ranch, Del Mar & Linda Vista, 858-451-0794
Murrieta & Temecula, 951-813-9500
www.noonanfamilyswimschool.com
Group rates. We welcome Mommy & Me groups. Contact us for special pricing for your group.

North County Gymnastics & the Gyminny Kids
Rancho Bernardo, 858-451-0204
www.gyminnykids.com
At-school programs. Field trips. Family owned & operated since 1987,  we serve over 1,100 students weekly from 18 mos.-adults with gymnastics, tumble/trampoline, cheer classes, demo teams, birthday parties, camps and ESS programs. Check out our new Motion Evolution Fitness Program! Visit our retail store “Gyminny’s Gifts & Gear.”

Pacific Animal Productions
760-723-7761
www.pacificanimalproductions.com
Assemblies. At-school programs. Field trips. Fundraisers. Our animal shows accommodate from 20 to 400+ students. A great way for school groups to explore nature in ways that all grades will understand and remember. 20 different themes to choose from such as Rainforest, Habitats, Adaptations and Animal Families. Customized presentations available. Assemblies average $300 and travel fee may apply.

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
Campo
619-465-PSRM
www.psrm.org
Field trips. Student history train trips and museum visits are available each month. A docent on board points out items of interest along the railway then leads a guided walk through the display building. Students learn about San Diego’s rich railroad history through equipment on display, including steam locomotives, caboose, private car and railway post office car. Enjoy lunch at the picnic tables at the historic 1916 Campo Depot. Reservations required.

Pigtails & Crewcuts
619-656-5437
Fundraisers. Pigtails & Crewcuts is the perfect company to host your next fundraiser! We offer everything from haircutting marathons at the salon to providing a carnival booth at your event with many options to choose from. Your organization will receive 15-30% of all sales.

Poway Gymnastics
Poway
858-748-1716
www.powaygymnastics.com
At-school programs. We offer gymnastics classes for boys and girls of all ages, from preschool through high school. Our gymnastics program instills self-confidence, discipline, strength, flexibility and body awareness. We bring top-of-the-line AAI gymnastics equipment to your school to create fun set-ups to keep the kids excited about learning gymnastics and most importantly, to have fun! Our coaching staff are experienced, USA gymnastics members and safety certified. Equipment is also available for purchase for your school or gym.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
Balboa Park
619-238-1233
www.rhfleet.org
Field trips. Group rates. Students can get their hands-on science with workshops for Pre-K through Grade 8. Over 100 exhibits, and IMAX films that meet CA state standards. In addition, groups of 15 or more receive discounted rates with advance reservations. Call for details.

Salvation Army Kroc Center
Rolando
619-287-5762
At-school progams. Field trips. Group rates. With an ice arena, skatepark, field, 600-seat theatre, rock wall, swimming pools, game room, gymnasium and more, there’s something for everyone at The Kroc Center! During the school year, we offer field trips to see Kroc Kids theatre productions. The Kroc Center also offers arts, education, computer literacy, character building and other fun classes for all ages, year round.

San Diego Air & Space Museum
Balboa Park
619-234-8291
www.sandiegoairandspace.org
At-school programs. Field trips. Group rates. Our exhibit galleries have a lifetime’s worth of learning opportunities and guided tours bring the stories of flight to life! Our docents are highly dedicated experts with an extensive knowledge of air and space history, technology and interpretive skills. The tours are designed for grades 3 and up. Younger students are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the museum with their teachers. Advanced reservations required. Call for information about group discounts.

San Diego Ballet
Point Loma
619-294-7378
www.sandiegoballet.org
Field trips. Assemblies. In-school programs. Group rates. SDB’s mission is to excite, enrich and entertain our diverse audience through the imaginative presentation of quality classical and contemporary dance. SDB has been voted as BEST of San Diego by the U/T readers and SignOnSanDiego.com. The company provides the community with interactive and innovative school assemblies.

San Diego Civic Youth Ballet
Balboa Park
619-233-3060
www.sdcyb.org
Carnivals. At-school programs. Field trips. We will hold performances of The Nutcracker in December, Coppelia in April, and our annual Fairy Tales in the Park event in August. Please join us for one of our special school performances at the Casa Del Prado Theater in Balboa Park, a great place to go on a field trip! We also offer outreach ballet classes to elementary schools throughout San Diego. Please contact us for more information.

San Diego Fun Rentals
619-335-1444
www.sandiegofunrentals.com
Your preferred provider for birthday parties, little league events, carnivals, church functions, holiday & corporate events, company picnics, fundraisers and more! We’ll provide good old fashioned fun with rides, interactives, slides, carnival games, combo and regular jumpers, tables, chairs, attendants, entertainers and more! Contact us today for your fun rental!

San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
Linda Vista & Oceanside, 619-243-3432
www.sdhumane.org
Field trips. The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA offers guided, interactive tours for groups of all ages covering responsible pet care, animal behavior and safety, and what to consider when choosing a pet. We also offer Girl and Boy Scout Badge programs (to meet badge requirements), homeschool programs based on CA state standards, as well as interactive preschool story times. Call for fees and reservation information.

San Diego Ice Arena
Mira Mesa
858-530-1825
www.sdice.com
Fundraisers. Group rates. Birthday parties and Groups are our specialty. Family public sessions and Fundraisers are a hit with all of our on-ice games. Skating lessons and hockey all year long. We make it FUN for the first-time ice skater.

San Diego Junior Theatre
Balboa Park, Chula Vista, La Jolla
619-239-1311
www.JuniorTheatre.com
Assemblies. At-school programs. Field trips. Group rates. You’re invited to attend a professionally staged live theatrical performance. School Day Show tickets are available. Call our box office at 619-239-8355 for more information. Students in our school programs will develop theatre skills (body, face, voice, teamwork, imagination) and present their work to an invited audience of family and friends.

San Diego Natural History Museum
Balboa Park
619-255-0210
www.sdnhm.org
Field trips. Assemblies. Group rates. The Natural History Museum combines contemporary science with multimedia art to deliver relevant messages about Earth’s past, present and future. Focused on the Southern California and Baja California region, visitors can experience award-winning exhibitions, see a giant-screen 3D film and more. Resources for teachers, including school programs correlated to content standards, are available. Open daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formerly Wild Animal Park)
Balboa Park, 619-557-3962
Escondido, 760-738-5057
www.sandiegozoo.org
Field trips. Admission is FREE to both of our sites for all students in San Diego County during the traditional school year. Non-San Diego County schools receive a reduced admission fee. Guided tours and classes are offered for all groups. We can also come to your school with one of our traveling programs to bring wildlife into the classroom. Best of all, everything we do is aligned to California State standards. For more information, visit our website.

San Elijo Dance & Music Academy
North County
760-410-1999
www.SanElijoDanceandMusicAcademy.com
Assemblies. At-school programs. Premiere instruction, multiple disciplines and convenience. The Academy is highly acclaimed for training students of all abilities in the performing arts. Enjoy the variety of classes offered for students of all ages, in a nurturing and fun environment. Call and talk with our directors about the Academy coming to your school to present an assembly targeted just for the students. Please call for more information and see for yourself!

School of Rock
Downtown
619-696-9343
www.SchoolOfRock.com
Assemblies. Carnivals. Fundraisers. School of Rock can supply students performing current and classic rock covers for unique entertainment at any event or school function free of charge!

Scripps Performing Arts Academy
Scripps Ranch & Carmel Valley
858-586-7834
Assemblies. At-school programs. The Scripps Performing Arts Academy has been providing quality dance and performing arts education in elementary schools as part of At-School Programs for over 15 years: Musical Theatre Workshops, Music Appreciation and Introduction to Dance classes and MORE! Our nurturing and experienced faculty provide a program that introduces and helps children develop a love and appreciation for the performing arts!

SeaWorld Adventure Park
800-25-SHAMU (257-4268)
www.seaworld.com
Group rates. Field trips. Assemblies. “Explore, discover, and connect” with an instructional field trip at SeaWorld! Our school programs support the National Science Education Standards and the CA Science and Literacy Framework.

Smiles 4 Kids Pediatric Dentistry
Carmel Valley
858-755-1515
www.carmelvalleysmiles4kids.com
Field trips.

Sombrero Mexican Food & Catering
888-773-2345
www.SombreroMex.com
Fundraisers. Looking to raise money for your non-profit or community organization, then “Make it a Fiesta” at Sombrero Mexican Food.  Your non-profit group can hold a fundraiser at one of our Sombrero Mexican Food locations on a designated night and 20% of your event’s total pre-tax sales will be donated to your organization. For more information visit our website.

Stage Door Dance Kids
Encinitas
760-942-3600
www.stagedoor-dance.com
At-school programs. Dance enrichment programs available for preschools. Tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop and tumbling. We’ve been specializing in children’s dance for 13 years!

Dr. Paul Styrt/Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry
La Jolla
858-458-1088
www.drstyrt.com
Assemblies. At-school programs. Field trips. Our practice offers high-quality Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in a child-friendly, fun atmosphere. We focus on dental education and cavity prevention from an early age (12 months) as well as preventive orthodontics. Dr. Styrt and Dr. Job lecture locally and at UCLA and Loma Linda Dental Schools and Dr. Styrt is a continuing education provider. We regularly welcome school classes to our office for field trips to learn more about good dental health!

The Super Dentists
San Diego
619-336-8478
www.TheSuperDentists.com
At-school programs. Field trips. We provide both specialties of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in one magical place; a place as extraordinary as the patients we serve. We look forward to seeing you in our offices to show you how the super heroes of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics are saving the world one smile at a time. We offer field trips at our Eastlake office every Wednesday from 8am to 9am. Please contact Lisa Cabral at 619.216.3676 to schedule your class field trip at least 2 weeks in advance. Thank you!

Team Touché Fencing
San Diego, Encinitas
858-622-9696
www.TeamTouche.com
At-school programs. We have an after-school fencing program at various schools throughout the county! An experienced coach provides students with a fun and challenging workout, teaching the fundamentals of fencing while keeping it a positive and exhilarating experience. Students have the option to compete in the San Diego Scholastic Fencing League (SDSFL). Teams of three boys and three girls compete on middle and high school teams. 

Top Dog Limo Bus
858-581-3644
www.topdoglimobus.com
Group rates. Providing safe, reliable limo bus and limousine services for over 25 years. Specializing in kids parties, decorated free for any occasion. Theme parties.

Total Education Solutions
San Diego
888-4TES-KIDS
www.tesidea.com
At-school programs. We provide innovative, quality educational services in home, community, school and clinical settings that foster opportunities for success. We offer these screenings in various settings and provide special education services in various settings as well.

Ultimate Party Rentals
619-730-1755
www.ultimatepartyrental.net
Carnivals. Fundraisers. Group rates. We are your one-stop shop for any event. Whether its your bouncer for a small birthday or a combo jumper with canopies, tables, chairs, linens and concession machines for your large event, we have you covered!

UltraStar Cinemas
Countywide
760-597-5777
www.UltraStarMovies.com
Field trips. Fundraisers. Group rates. Bring classes to the movies using our group rates for field trips. Schools & groups can fundraise with a Day at the Movies. Group discount tickets are available for any occasion, incentive and reward.

Victory Gymnastics Academy
858-650-3547
www.VictoryGymnasticsAcademy.com
Field trips. Our Kids In Motion program uses special gymnastics equipment to get fit, strong and flexible. The program provides a great introduction to physical fitness in a fun, play-like atmosphere. Kids will love our obstacle courses, parachute games, 40’ long trampoline and our HUGE foam pit! Field trips include one hour of gym time led by safety certified, first aid and CPR trained professionals. Call for a FREE field trip for your school or group.

Viejas Outlet Center
Alpine
619-659-2070
ViejasOutletCenter.com
Field trips.

The Wildlife Company
Vista
760-439-6444
www.wildlifecompany.com
Assemblies. Carnivals. At-school programs. Group rates. The Wildlife Company offers wildly exciting and interactive educational experiences with live animals. You choose a topic and animals that best fit your curriculum and we do the rest. We bring animals, information, and an exciting presentation including hands-on time with the animals, questions and answers, and lots of fun learning about the animal kingdom and their habitats.

Wonders-Children Learning Language
Encinitas & Carmel Valley
760-632-5264
www.wonderslanguage.com
At-school programs. Group rates. We offer immersion play classes and activities in French, Spanish & Mandarin for children 1-10. Our classes are developmentally-appropriate and standards-based. Classes use themes, games, activities, crafts, stories, imaginative play, costumes, music and more to engage the mind while playing. We love to support local schools and non-profits by offering discounted classes on-site and participating in all auctions! Please contact us for more information!

YakAcademy, Foreign Language for Children
San Diego
858-679-7760
www.YakAcademy.com
At-school programs. YakAcademy offers foreign language and preschool age classes for children ages 1-10. Classes capitalize on a child’s window of opportunity for language, which research has shown to be from birth to about age 10! Using play-based immersion techniques, the company creates a fun environment where children naturally absorb language through song, movement and activities.

How to Raise Money with Online Events

How to raise real money with virtual events.

Times are tough—not only for families but for schools. As a result, parents often face a stark reality. If they don’t raise funds for library books, Smartboards, team uniforms, field trips or other events, their kids will go without.
For some groups, online fundraising has become a secret weapon that takes less time and produces better results. Once an organization makes contact with them, online donors can be exceptionally generous. According to Network for Good, the average contribution is several times larger for online than offline donors.
Online fundraisers also allow groups that have exhausted local resources to reach beyond the borders of their communities to raise funds from alumni, grandparents and retired teachers.  Perhaps most enticing, online projects bypass the hard work of running a carnival or a carwash and avoid the risk of having kids go door to door asking neighbors to buy things no one really needs or wants.

Searching for Funds
At goodsearch.com, it’s easy to enroll any nonprofit that qualifies for 501 (3)c status. Then people can list that organization as their beneficiary so that each time they use the search engine (which is powered by Yahoo), a penny or two goes to your group. That money really starts to multiply if you can convince teachers, parents and even students to do their searching on your behalf.   

Shopping for a Cause
Rather than sending kids door-to-door selling candy, wrapping paper and ceramic doodads, many groups now encourage would-be donors to shop at online malls where a percentage of what they spend goes to their cause. Schoolpop.com is an online shopping site set up specifically to benefit schools. Other sites, such as igive .com, charitymall.com and mycause.com, allow you to shop on behalf of any nonprofit you designate. 
 
Going, Going, Gone         
Auctioning off donated items is a time-honored way to raise money. Adding an online dimension simply increases the pool of potential bidders. A school, for example, can appeal to alumni, grandparents of students, retired teachers and so on. Ebay sponsors a special section called missionfish.org which allows nonprofits to register and benefit from auctions. Cmarket.com runs a site called biddingforgood.com where schools and other groups can easily list items and win a worldwide audience for their auction. The trick, of course, is to get the maximum number of bidders by publicizing your online auction through MySpace pages, blogs and emails to family and friends.

High Tech Recycling
Recycling cell phones and print cartridges is both lucrative and good for the environment. The Educational Technology and Conservation Program is behind a Website called fundingfactory .com that helps schools and related organizations set up and manage recycling programs so they can earn cash or points which accumulate towards athletic and technical equipment.

One of a Kind Designs
Thanks to new digital services like originalworks.com, parent groups can create and sell their own customized items featuring artwork created by kids. Young artists create vivid, colorful artwork that is uploaded to the Website. Then your organization can sell parents everything from magnets and notecards to tote bags and aprons featuring the designs.  
Million dollar home page, Paying for Pixels, was started by a British college student who didn’t want to go into debt to pay for his education. He sold pixels for a dollar apiece on a page which looks like a wall filled with graffiti (milliondollarhomepage.com). Some nonprofits have been successful in creating similar pages filled with good wishes from supporters. Although several companies will set up such sites for a fee, the original software is now available free at milliondollarscript.com.    

Blogging for Bucks         
Odds are, someone in your organization has a blog or, at the very least, a page on MySpace or Facebook. Ask them to tell a heartwarming story about why your organization needs funds and who will benefit. Encourage them to link to the donor page on your Website if you have one. Admittedly, lots of people are doing this now, so it’s harder to get noticed, but the right appeal to the right network can raise real money in a hurry.  

Virtual Events
Several large organizations have experimented with “events” that occur only online. One of the most successful was an American Cancer Walkathon that took place on secondlife.com and raised over 80 thousand dollars without anyone lacing up a single pair of real sneakers. This sort of event requires imagination, technical skill and, in all likelihood, the cooperation of a few network-savvy students. Still, if you’re fed up with the legwork of organizing real world events, this is an interesting alternative.  
Even those who decide virtual fundraising is beyond their technical capabilities can still use the Internet to find innovative ideas that, as they say, put the “fun” back into fundraising.  Websites like fundraising123.org and diyfundraising.com may help you find just the right project to make people open their hearts—and their wallets—to do something good for the kids in your community.    
 
Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has written about families and the Internet for fifteen years.

If you found this article interesting, you may also like the San Diego Family Magazine's list of companies who offer assemblies, field trips, fundraisers and other group events for your school, scout troop, sports team, work party or family reunion!
Event & Fundraising Planner