Welcome to the Hayward Area Recreation & Park District (H.A.R.D.) Foundation scholarship program. You’re invited to join the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.) and the H.A.R.D. Foundation and make a difference in the life of a child by ensuring that every child has the opportunity to participate in the myriad of programs and activities offered by H.A.R.D.

Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for our community by providing accessible recreation programs. We believe that everyone should have equal access to activities that promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and social interaction, regardless of their financial standing.

Our scholarship program is designed to open doors for all residents by subsidizing the cost of classes for qualifying families. When financial constraints are removed, residents can pursue their passions, excel in their chosen fields, and contribute positively to society.

“Nature – the sublime, the harsh, and the beautiful – offers something that the street or gated community or computer game cannot.” Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods)

Recreation programs offer numerous benefits for your health and well-being. They provide a chance to connect with nature while balancing physical and mental well-being. Outdoor recreation activities have various benefits for health and wellbeing, such as:

• Improving mental well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression
• Boosting self-esteem, confidence, and creativity
• Promoting memory and cognitive function
• Boosting immunity and vitamin D levels
• Providing a sense of exhilaration, adventure, and challenge

Recreation programs are truly transformative, especially for children. Outdoor play fosters a child’s intellectual, emotional, and physical development. Playing outside provides numerous opportunities for discovery, creativity, problem-solving, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

We hope that you share our vision of a community where everyone has access to recreational programs. Please consider making a donation to our scholarship fund. Your contribution will help us continue to provide scholarships to residents who cannot afford to pay full price for H.A.R.D. programs.