Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco: Columbia Park Clubhouse — Chess

We recently joined the chess program at the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco's Columbia Park Clubhouse, and it has been a great experience overall. My 9-year-old son, who is usually quite shy, surprisingly opened up and made a friend during the sessions. The instructor, Marcus, does a fantastic job of engaging the kids without overwhelming them, and the small group size really helps with that. They have been learning strategies and playing real matches, which my son has thoroughly enjoyed. However, the pickup process can be a bit chaotic at times with long lines forming, so be prepared for that. Overall, this program fosters a supportive environment for kids to develop critical thinking skills while having fun. I would recommend it, but just plan ahead for the end of the session to make it smoother.

I enrolled my 9-year-old son in the Chess program at the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco's Columbia Park Clubhouse. He was excited to learn new strategies and meet other kids who share his interest. The instructor, Mark, was very engaging and made the lessons fun without being stressful. My son really enjoyed the small group size, which allowed for more personalized attention. One minor annoyance was the long lines during pickup; it took us about 15 minutes to get out of the parking lot, which was unexpected for a weekday. Overall, it's a solid program that fosters critical thinking and social skills, and I would recommend it, especially for kids who enjoy a challenge.