In addition to the responses to the common questions below, if you need more direct help using ELP, please fill out the Support Form on the ELP landing page, and we will follow up with you directly within a couple of days to help.
What types of opportunities are available on this website?
The Earn Learn Play (ELP) website is an information hub and portal to discover a variety of youth programs and activities offered by the City of Los Angeles, including employment, arts and crafts, sports, and other recreational programs during the summer or year-round. Within the programs included in ELP there are specific links to external websites of other City Departments and its partners to learn more and apply, where applicable.
Who is eligible to participate in these programs?
While some programs are offered for all ages, most programs are for youth aged 7-24. Each program has specific age requirements. The best way to find out if you're eligible is to click on the individual programs and check the registration link for more details.
How can I find opportunities near my location?
ELP is designed to reveal programs located near you. Please enter an address in the search bar that is most convenient and relevant for you. For example, If you are looking for programs near your home, enter a home address.
How do I apply for a program or service?
The number of programs is grouped based on relevant categories. Click on the category that interests you to reveal the opportunities. Click on the ones you are interested in to reveal more information about the program. Within the drop-down, scroll down to reveal the registration link. Each registration link will redirect you to an external department or page with the direct enrollment link and program specifics.
Are there any costs associated with participating in these programs?
Many are free; however, some programs have costs associated with them. Each program popup reveals all cost information, and you can filter opportunities based on cost.
What prerequisites or paperwork do I need to apply for a program?
Registration specifics and prerequisites can be found by clicking on the registration link (which will direct you to the website or organization offering the program. Most do not require documents, but some programs, such as employment opportunities, may require participants to be L.A. City residents or U.S. citizens (or have a work permit, including DACA).
Can I contact the program organizers for more information?
Yes, contact info is provided under the program drop-down information.
Are there any virtual or online programs available?
Most programs promoted on our website are in-person.
But, how often is the information on the website updated?
Information is typically updated monthly during the summer months and quarterly after that. To stay up-to-date about future updates to ELP, sign up for our newsletter here. If you are looking for specific information or programs but found little to no information, please fill out the Support Form on the ELP landing page, and we will follow up with you directly within a couple of days to help.
Are there any transportation options available to reach the program locations?
While ELP does not cover transportation or ride-sharing costs to programs, the City and County of Los Angeles do offer free and low-cost transit options. The City LADOT’s DASH is currently free! Click here to learn more and check out bus routes. Metro also offers GoPass Options for K-12 and Community College Students at https://www.metro.net/riding/fares/gopass/.
How can I stay informed about new opportunities and updates?
Subscribe to the YDD newsletter, here.
Are there any resources or support services available for parents or caregivers?
Parents or caregivers can use ELP to look for opportunities for children by adding their addresses and filtering through results.
Are results and programs only specific to the City of LA?
Yes. For information about programs in the County of LA, outside of the City of LA boundaries, visit https://lacounty.gov/residents/.