826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages six to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.

Its services are structured around the belief that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

With this in mind, 826LA provides drop-in tutoring, after-school workshops, in-schools tutoring, help for English language learners, and assistance with student publications.

826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages six to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.

Its services are structured around the belief that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

With this in mind, 826LA provides drop-in tutoring, after-school workshops, in-schools tutoring, help for English language learners, and assistance with student publications.

Advanced Home Tutoring provides professional, one-on-one tutoring for students of all ages. Tutors cater to all learning abilities and all subjects.

Advanced Home Tutoring provides professional, one-on-one tutoring for students of all ages throughout LA County. Tutors cater to all learning abilities and all subjects, grades K-12 (including SAT).

Children have such a great capacity for absorbing language, so why not expose them to the beauty of French early on? Alliance Francaise de Los Angeles offers French classes for infants ("Mommy and Me"), toddlers, children, and teens.

The teachers are native French speakers who specialize in teaching young children, and kids learn the language in a total immersion environment.

Private, semi-private, and group classes are available; tutoring is also offered after school hours.

Children have such a great capacity for absorbing language, so why not expose them to the beauty of French early on? Alliance Francaise de Los Angeles offers French classes for infants ("Mommy and Me"), toddlers, children, and teens.

The teachers are native French speakers who specialize in teaching young children, and kids learn the language in a total immersion environment.

Private, semi-private, and group classes are available; tutoring is also offered after school hours.

The Aquarium in Long Beach is a terrific facility celebrating the inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean. You'll find tropical fish exhibits, coral reefs, sea otters, seals and sea lions, sea turtles, and sea birds.

The exhibits stretch from floor to ceiling; kids can lie right down on the carpets and stare up as schools of brightly colored tropical fish go swimming by, and feel that cold thrill as a shark suddenly darts into the picture. Scuba divers make periodic appearances to feed the fish and clean the coral, and are quite willing to wave and clown around for delighted children.

The centerpiece is the 10,000 square foot Shark Lagoon, which offers visitors the opportunity to touch and interact with bamboo, nurse, epaulette, and zebra sharks in shallow pools. One section, featuring above-and-below water views, allows guests to get nose-to-nose (but not, happily, hand-to-mouth) with large, toothy sharks. Sand tiger (endangered in Australia), zebra, nurse, and whitetip reef sharks, as well as rays, are featured. Special daily feeding presentations are a predictably huge draw - who doesn't want to watch sharks eat?

Opportunities for observing and touching other live creatures also abound, both above and under water. There are 19 major habitats on two levels, and 32 focus exhibits. Squeamish kids may not want to feel the sea urchins and anemones, but aquarium staffers are on hand to help those who do.

One gallery covers the Northern Pacific, and is slightly chilly and a bit grey, but worth seeing if only for the naturally comedic puffins. The other galleries cover the temperate waters of Southern California and Baja and the wonderfully warm and colorful tropical Pacific.

Kids can also take an expedition to visit friendly birds from Down Under in the Lorikeet Forest, a 5,200 square-foot walk-through aviary that brings new meaning to the word "encounter:" kids can feed the little flutterballs nectar from a cup!

Indoor and outdoor theaters feature regular showings of documentaries and animal education programs.

The outdoor Explorer's Cove includes Lorikeet Forest, Shark Lagoon, and the Marine Life Theater. There's also an adjacent refreshment and snack area, the Bamboo Bistro.

Cafe Scuba is a cafeteria style restaurant offering hot and cold entrees, salads, and sandwiches. There are plenty of high chairs and booster seats, and indoor and outdoor seating.

The bathrooms on both levels have changing stations, and there is a baby care room, with chairs for nursing mothers and toys for toddlers, in the first floor women's room.

The Aquarium strongly discourages strollers inside the exhibit area, especially on crowded weekends. There is a large stroller parking area in the lobby.

The Aquarium offers all kinds of educational programs for children of all ages on weekends. There are stroller walks for parents with infants, toddler programs for parents with two and three year-olds, pre-school programs for four and five-year-olds, and workshops, sleep-overs, Discovery Tours and Explorer Programs for older kids and teens at varying costs and times.

Ocean Adventures Summer Day Camp offers week-long summer sessions at the Aquarium for seven to ten year old campers to explore different facets of life undersea.

All the programs are available for groups; some are especially designed for daycare and pre-school groups. Call for reservations, times and group rates.

The Aquarium also offers kayaking lessons, followed by kayaking tours of Upper Newport Bay, as well as Ocean Experience boat excursions (seasonal).

For more information about any of these programs, call 562.590.3100 or visit www.aquariumofpacific.org.

Parties: 90 minute birthday parties at the Aquarium include themed décor, personalized cake, ice cream, juice, and a classroom program that features animal touch time, biofact discovery, and a take-home craft. All you need to do is call at least two weeks prior (subject to availability) to reserve a date and invite friends and family. The party area can accommodate up to 30 guests (minimum 10 participants). Cost is $275 for up to 15 guests (including adults), and $460 for 16-30 guests; members pay $250 to $420. For additional information or reservations, please call 562.951.1630.

Membership: Individual $55; Family $125.

Artistic Adventures offers themed workshops that integrate imagination and education. The program uses nature and the environment as a platform for learning, taking children on journeys through space and exploring our world above and below the water. The students create works of art that draw on their own strengths.

Classes are held at La Canada Community Center.

Sessions run for six consecutive Saturdays and start at $120, with all materials provided.

Babes in Backpacks offers a full range of outdoor adventures, including adult hikes (with babies in carriers) and toddler walks. Toddler walks include crafts and educational activities about the wildlife encountered along the way.

The people who run these hikes are very responsible and always check the condition of the terrain and the air quality on the day of a hike, making location changes if needed. Families are definitely in good hands here.

To find out where this week's hikes are, call or send an email. There are usually at least three hike per week.

Other periodic group activities include bike rides, sledding, camping, and whale watching.

Berlitz, one of the preeminent language training programs in the country, offers a "Jr." version of the popular Berlitz Method. Kindergarten through high school students may take pre-scheduled small group classes in French or Spanish. Private and semi-private lessons may also be arranged.

In addition, Berlitz offers language programs for schools in which they provide the instructor and all the materials on a "to go" basis - perfect if your school has no language program of its own and you'd like to set one up. Call Berlitz for more information on its schools program or private instruction.

Berlitz, one of the preeminent language training programs in the country, offers a "Jr." version of the popular Berlitz Method. Kindergarten through high school students may take pre-scheduled small group classes in French or Spanish. Private and semi-private lessons may also be arranged.

In addition, Berlitz offers language programs for schools in which they provide the instructor and all the materials on a "to go" basis - perfect if your school has no language program of its own and you'd like to set one up. Call Berlitz for more information on its schools program or private instruction.

Berlitz, one of the preeminent language training programs in the country, offers a "Jr." version of the popular Berlitz Method. Kindergarten through high school students may take pre-scheduled small group classes in Italian, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Private and semi-private lessons may also be arranged.

In addition, Berlitz offers language programs for schools in which they provide the instructor and all the materials on a "to go" basis - perfect if your school has no language program of its own and you'd like to set one up. Call Berlitz for more information on its schools program or private instruction.

Berlitz, one of the preeminent language training programs in the country, offers a "Jr." version of the popular Berlitz Method. Kindergarten through high school students may take pre-scheduled small group classes in French or Spanish. Private and semi-private lessons may also be arranged.

In addition, Berlitz offers language programs for schools in which they provide the instructor and all the materials on a "to go" basis - perfect if your school has no language program of its own and you'd like to set one up. Call Berlitz for more information on its schools program or private instruction.

Berlitz, one of the preeminent language training programs in the country, offers a "Jr." version of the popular Berlitz Method. Kindergarten through high school students may take pre-scheduled small group classes in Italian, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Private and semi-private lessons may also be arranged.

In addition, Berlitz offers language programs for schools in which they provide the instructor and all the materials on a "to go" basis - perfect if your school has no language program of its own and you'd like to set one up. Call Berlitz for more information on its schools program or private instruction.

The Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena offers more than 50 programs at five different locations in the Pasadena area. All activities and programs are included in the membership price. This includes swim team, swim lessons, homework assistance, use of the libraries and technology centers, art classes, and more.

Transportation is available during the school year for $50 per month.

The Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena also has a day care facility at the Scott Child Development Center. Full-time care is available for children ages two to five for $650 per week. Financial aid is available; contact details are below.

The national organization, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, of which Pasadena is an affiliate member, has been serving youth since 1860, and is ranked number one among youth organizations by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Canfield Avenue Elementary School, in the Beverlywood area south of Pico and west of Robertson, is a LAUSD school, supported by a strong community. There is an afterschool program provided by STAR Education.

Chabad of Marina del Rey is a branch of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, offering Jewish family programs as well as religious services and education to the community at large. Some children's programs include Mommy & Me, Hebrew school, and Bar or Bat Mitzvah training.

Creative ADDvantage specializes in working with students with ADD, ADHD, and learning disabilities. The company takes pride in teaching techniques that are fun and effective, while building students' confidence.

Creative Seeds offer classes for children and parents to explore and express their creativity through movement, music, dance, and visual arts.

Some unique classes for multi-taskers include parent and child dance and movement classes conducted in Spanish and parent and child Pilates mat classes.

Creative Space offers a full and varied program of classes and after-school programs for pre-school and school-age boys and girls.

The directors spent months talking to neighborhood parents and educators, and put together a complete curriculum, with qualified faculty, designed to help kids learn and have fun.

Classes range from animation and bead-design to puppetry, cooking, film-making, yoga, and dance for school age kids. Mommy-and-me classes, as well as special pre-school programs in yoga, music, dance, and gymnastics, are also available.

Birthday party packages include a two-hour party on Saturdays or Sundays, entertainment, food and beverages for kids, and noshables for adults. Themes range from arty parties, dance parties, and magic to science, aromatherapy, make-your-own-doll, and animals. The space is also available for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, sweet 16s, and grown up parties.

Summer Camp is based at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple campus, featuring playgrounds, a playing field, state of the art and fully air-conditioned athletic facilities, dance studio, black box theater, and an art studio.

Creative Space also has a Hawai'i Sleepover Camp, which includes airfare and two weeks of fun and cultural experiences on Oahu's north shore.

A toddler program is available for three-year-olds; children ages four to 12 may attend the day camp proper (Mon-Fri 9am-3pm).

For adults only, parenting, infant massage, nutrition, and exercise classes are also available.

Creative Space offers a full and varied program of classes and after-school programs for pre-school and school-age boys and girls.

The directors spent months talking to neighborhood parents and educators, and put together a complete curriculum, with qualified faculty, designed to help kids learn and have fun.

Classes range from animation and bead-design to puppetry, cooking, film-making, yoga, and dance for school age kids. Mommy-and-me classes, as well as special pre-school programs in yoga, music, dance, and gymnastics, are also available.

Birthday party packages include a two-hour party on Saturdays or Sundays, entertainment, food and beverages for kids, and noshables for adults. Themes range from arty parties, dance parties, and magic to science, aromatherapy, make-your-own-doll, and animals. The space is also available for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, sweet 16s, and grown up parties.

Summer Camp is based at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple campus, featuring playgrounds, a playing field, state of the art and fully air-conditioned athletic facilities, dance studio, black box theater, and an art studio.

Creative Space also has a Hawai'i Sleepover Camp, which includes airfare and two weeks of fun and cultural experiences on Oahu's north shore.

A toddler program is available for three-year-olds; children ages four to 12 may attend the day camp proper (Mon-Fri 9am-3pm).

For adults only, parenting, infant massage, nutrition, and exercise classes are also available.

CREST - which stands for child care, recreation, enrichment, sports, together - is a unique program collaborating between the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, offering fun and exciting before and after school options right at the school site.

Throughout the school year, before and after school homework assistance and activities are available for kids in grades K-3. For students in grades K-8, enrichment classes and youth sports programs are offered. In addition, several of the schools offer free after-school unstructured supervised playground time. On school breaks, CREST offers various camp programs.

Financial assistance is available to qualifying low and moderate income families. CREST is a part of the City's Human Services Division.

Nestled in the foothills of the San Rafael Hills, the 160 acres of gorgeous Descanso Gardens is well-worth the drive. Camellia lovers come from miles around to see the unrivaled splendor of the blossoms, which start to bloom in fall and culminate in the annual Camellia Festival in February. This is North America's largest camellia collection; check the calendar for more information.

A network of paved walkways takes you (and your stroller) through landscaped gardens and woods, past waterfalls, lakes, and a bird sanctuary. Children will especially love the opportunity to spot the ducks, herons, egrets, and more from the bird-watching station overlooking the lake.

A tram ride, costing $3, runs through the gardens; Tue-Fri at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm; Sat-Sun at 11am, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. And don't miss the Enchanted Railroad, a miniature train ride which chugs its way through the shrubbery on weekends only, for $3 per person.

The Cafe Court offers sandwiches, salads, and other light luncheon fare, every day from 10am until 3pm. You can buy plants, gifts, and souvenirs at the gift shop, open daily from 10am until 4pm; 4:45pm on weekends. During the summer, tea parties can be reserved in advance.

Summer camps are offered in the form of Science Adventure Camps for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Each week-long session is a separate camp focusing on topics like extreme sports, gizmos and gadgets, and space and rocketry. Camp information is available at 888.458.1812.

Membership grants free admission, as well as cafe, gift shop, and class discounts and advance notice of events. Family memberships are $80 for two adults and children under 18. A KidKare pass can be obtained for $25 for a family caregiver.

Enlightenment Learning Center offers one-on-one tutoring, stress-free academic classes to keep kids ahead of their schoolwork, and a comprehensive test prep program for SAT, ACT, and ISEE.

Enlightement is also home to Enlightenment Academy, an alternative to traditional classroom instruction. Enlightenment Academy uses a fully accredited K-12 curriculum that allows students to learn one-on-one and in small groups within a schedule that best fits their needs.

Enlightenment Learning Center offers one-on-one tutoring, stress-free academic classes to keep kids ahead of their schoolwork, and a comprehensive test prep program for SAT, ACT, and ISEE.

Enlightement is also home to Enlightenment Academy, an alternative to traditional classroom instruction. Enlightenment Academy uses a fully accredited K-12 curriculum that allows students to learn one-on-one and in small groups within a schedule that best fits their needs.

Family Math Adventures offers hands-on math adventures for kids ages four to 12 taught by a credentialed teacher.

Summer classes are available through the Redondo Beach Parks and Recreation Department. Private, semi-private, and school group classes can be arranged at any location.

FasTracKids is an academic enrichment center designed to develop children's critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills. State-of-the-art technology is employed to deliver curriculum, and activities include hands-on exercises, role-playing, and videotaped speaking exercises in various subjects.

Fondazione Italia is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 offering affordable Italian classes for kids and adults.

The organization receives grants from the Italian government to bring after school programs and Saturday morning classes to several schools in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Grants are also available to elementary and middle schools interested in offering Italian instruction to their students.

Contact the office to find the nearest location.

Fondazione Italia is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 offering affordable Italian classes for kids and adults.

The organization receives grants from the Italian government to bring after school programs and Saturday morning classes to several schools in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Grants are also available to elementary and middle schools interested in offering Italian instruction to their students.

Contact the office to find the nearest location.

Gift of Language offers foreign language classes that use visuals, music, and dance to engage and involve children. The staff is experienced in foreign languages and cultures as well as in educational principles.

Students can join a session at any time, and a $20 trial class is an option before committing to a longer course. Private sessions and Spanish language summer camp are also offered.

Gift of Language offers foreign language classes that use visuals, music, and dance to engage and involve children. The staff is experienced in foreign languages and cultures as well as in educational principles.

Students can join a session at any time, and a $20 trial class is an option before committing to a longer course. Private sessions and Spanish language summer camp are also offered.

Dance and exercise classes! Mommy-and-me and Daddy-and-me! Performing arts and visual arts! Chess, cooking, and French! Karate, and gymastics, and tennis! Even etiquette and babysitter training!

Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services has put together an amazing program of classes for children and teens. It also runs an Off-Track Day Camp, an on-going, supervised camp, for any time your kids are out of school.

Most classes run for ten weeks, although a few special ones meet for two weeks. Check our calendar for special classes. Classes are available on weekdays and weekends; most meet for an hour. Classes meet at various locations in the Glendale Park System; most are at Brand Library.

Registration:mail or walk-in to the Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, 91208; telephone 818.548.2184; or fax 818.543.0793.

Fees run from about $45 to $125. Late registration fee is $15.

Habla Blah Blah Spanish offers a class that introduces monolingual families to the sounds and words of Spanish in a playful way specifically oriented toward little ears and tongues. No previous language skills are necessary. Classes are based on the music of the Habla Blah Blah CDs.

Head of the Class provides in-home tutoring for children in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Topics covered include guidance on organizational and study skills, foundational skill building, and homework and test preparation.