2025 Go Girls*, Go Bears, Go Play Recap!
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2025 Go Girls*, Go Bears, Go Play Recap!
The 2025 Go Girls, Go Bears, Go Play* event was an inspiring and action-packed day, bringing together over 2,000 attendees, including young students, families, Cal student-athletes, and community partners. Participants explored sports, learned valuable life skills, and connected with inspiring role models.
Event Highlights
✅ Hands-on Sports Stations – Kids had the chance to try everything from rowing and volleyball to track & field and field hockey.
✅ Cal Student-Athlete Mentorship – 145 student-athletes from 14 teams cheered on and guided participants, helping them discover new sports.
✅ Empowering Education – Resources on sports equity, period care, and athlete wellness sparked important conversations.
✅ Strong Attendance – Over 786 youth and 818 adults participated, with students from OUSD, WCCUSD, and local organizations.
What Participants Had to Say
🏅 Building Confidence: Parents loved seeing their kids step out of their comfort zones and try new sports with the encouragement of patient and enthusiastic student-athletes.
🏅 Exciting and Inclusive Atmosphere: Families appreciated the variety of activities, from competitive sports to educational booths, ensuring a well-rounded experience.
🏅 Representation Matters: Young athletes were inspired by seeing college athletes who looked like them, reinforcing that they, too, belong in sports.
🏅 Beyond the Game: Community partners valued the chance to educate and support participants in meaningful ways, from period education to access to athletic gear.
A huge thank you to our volunteers, student-athletes, community partners, and sponsors for making this event a success! We can’t wait to do it again next year.
*We welcome students of all gender identities, backgrounds, and abilities. We affirm and celebrate all who experience life through the lens of girl/woman in body, spirit, identity - past, present, future, and fluid.
Cal Athletics recognizes the importance of sports for girls* and women* - equipping girls with skills and confidence that extend far beyond the sports field.
*We welcome students of all gender identities, backgrounds, and abilities. We affirm and celebrate all who experience life through the lens of girl/woman in body, spirit, identity - past, present, future, and fluid.
On Feb 4, 2024 over 1000 students and community members visited Haas Pavillion (in a rain storm!) to celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day with 15 of our Cal Athletics Varsity teams. The energy, enthusiasm, and spirit of our participants, student-athlete volunteers, and supporters created an incredible day of fun, learning, and empowerment.
Cal varsity teams, OUSD Expanded Learning, and Cal Cameron Institute proudly invite ALL East Bay families and students ages 6-13 to the 2nd annual Go Girls*, Go Bears, Go Play Field Day on February 16th in honor of National Girls & Women in Sports Day!!
Join us for this exciting Student-Athlete-Led in-person event at Edwards Stadium in Berkeley, CA. You and your family will get to engage with our Cal Bears firsthand and try out different Cal sports and drills side by side with the Bears and our community partners. Get ready for a day filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Grab your friends and family, and let's make some memories together at Go Girls*, Go Bears, Go Play! We welcome students of all gender identities, backgrounds, and abilities.
Admission is free to the event and all youth participants (6-13) earn free admission to the Cal Women's Basketball Game vs. Syracuse at 3pm at Haas Pavillion following the event!
Go Girls, Go Bears, Go Play is a community-wide effort. Special thank you to our community partners for their collaboration and support:
Positive Coaching Alliance
Oakland Unified School District - Expanded Learning
Oakland Athletic League
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Community Partners & Activities
At Go Girls*, Go Bears, Go Play, we're thrilled to collaborate with various community-based organizations to bring you an array of exciting activities and engaging booths for kids!
🎈 Activities & Offerings:
Hear from star VIP guests and Cal Alumni!
Interact with our Cal student-athletes and try a new sport!
Learn from our amazing community partners about their youth sport-specific offerings in our community!
All youth participants earn free admission to the Cal Women's Basketball Game vs. Syracuse at 3 pm at Haas Pavillion following the event! Adults receive discounted tickets ($5 per ticket).
🤝 Our Community Partners:
Along with Cal Varsity team, these amazing community partners will be setting up interactive booths and providing hands-on experiences for kids of all ages and interests. There's something for everyone!
Community Partners:
&Mother/For All Mothers
Edwards Stadium is located at 2223 Fulton St, Berkeley, CA 94704
Entry - Please enter the venue from Frank Schlessinger Way by the Hellman Tennis Center. Participants will not be able to gain entry from the south entrance on Fulton and Bancroft (see map).
Bus Drop offs - If you are taking a bus, please have your driver drop off and pick up students at Crescent Lawn. Please make sure your driver does NOT attempt to stop on Bancroft Way. Walking directions from Crescent Lawn to Haas Pavillion can be found here.
Public Transportation – There are multiple public transportation options that lead to the field at Edwards Stadium. BART has a station in downtown Berkeley. If your school or family is taking BART to Edwards, click here to view walking directions from Downtown Berkeley BART station. Visit bart.gov, actransit.org or 511.org for more information.
Due to ongoing construction and limited parking availability, we highly recommend utilizing public transportation for a convenient and hassle-free journey to our event.
Recommended Parking & Parking information
Paid parking is available on campus. If you choose to park on campus, we recommend parking at one of the below options:
Underhill Garage – Located on the corner of Channing Way and College Avenue.
RSF Garage – Located on the north side of Bancroft Way between Dana Street and Ellsworth Street.
Non-UC Lots:
Oxford Garage - Located on Kittredge and Oxford
Telegraph-Channing Garage - Located on Telegraph and Channing
Street Parking – Paid and limited street parking may be available on streets near Edwards Stadium, but be diligent about reading parking restrictions, as the regulations and schedules are strictly enforced by the City of Berkeley.
You can find more information on fees and visitor parking here.
Lactation Support – In partnership with &Mother, we will be providing a pop-up Mamava pod at Edwards Stadium. This space is available for breastfeeding parents to pump or nurse during the event.
Going to the Cal Women's Basketball Game?
Cal Bears vs. Syracuse
Tip-off: 3 pm - Games usually last between 2 and 2.5 hours.
Admission is free for participants coming from Go Bears, Go Girls*, Go Play!
Getting to Haas Pavillion
Haas Pavillion is located at 115 Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA 94720
Walking directions from Edwards Stadium to Haas Pavilion here.
Food - Fans are permitted to bring their own food and drink (non alcoholic) into the game and concessions are also available for purchase within Haas Pavillion. Haas Pavillion is a cashless venue and only accepts debit and credit cards for purchases.
Haas Pavillion has a strict bag clear policy for competitions. Items permitted and not permitted in Haas Pavillion, as well as game day policies can be located here.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to stay with my child for the event?
A: Yes! Parents/guardians and families should stay and join in on the fun! It's helpful to have parents/guardians there to determine the needs of their child(ren) and make sure their child(ren) is comfortable and having a positive experience. There will also be community sports providers in attendance that can share information on how your child can get involved in programs in their community!
Q: Is there an admission fee?
A: No, admission to Go Girls, Go Bears, Go Play is completely free for kids and families!
Q: How do I get free admission to the Women's Basketball following the event at 3 pm?
A: Youth participants will receive a wristband at check-in that will give them access to the game. Parents and older siblings can purchase discounted tickets at our ticketing office directly outside of Haas Pavillion.
Q: What activities can my kids participate in?
A: Kids can enjoy a variety of activities such as dribbling, throwing, & running. There will be interactive booths hosted by Cal varisyt teams and community-based organizations providing hands-on experiences.
Q: Can I participate if I'm not from the area?
A: Absolutely! Go Girls, Go Bears, Go Play welcomes kids and families from all areas. It's an open invitation for everyone to join in the fun!
Q: Is there parking available?
A: Yes, please review the know before you go section above to learn about parking options for this event. We recommend arriving early to secure a spot.
Q: How can I get updates or more information about the event?
A: RSVP to Go Girls, Go Bears, Go Play by filling out this form and you will receive important event information via email. If you have any specific questions you can email them to cameroninstitute@berkeley.edu.
Q: What age range is this event suitable for?
A: Go Girls, Go Bears, Go Play is perfect for kids between the ages of 6-13. However, children of all ages are welcome to participate and enjoy the activities!
Q: Will food and beverages be available at the event?
A: Yes, there will be food available free of charge at the event. Feel free to bring along water bottles and snacks as well.
Q: Is there any specific dress code for the event?
A: We recommend wearing comfortable athletic clothing and closed-toe shoes to fully enjoy the activities. In case of rain, feel free to bring a rain jacket and don't forget sunscreen and hats for outdoor fun!
Q: Can I bring my pet to the event?
A: For the safety and comfort of all attendees, we kindly ask that you leave your pets at home. Service animals are, of course, welcome.
Q: Are there restroom facilities available at the venue?
A: Yes, there will be restroom facilities for participants to access on-site for your convenience.
Q: How can I support or sponsor Go Girls, Go Bears, Go Play?
A: We greatly appreciate your interest! Please reach out to cameroninstitute@berkeley.edu for sponsorship opportunities or supporting Go Girls*, Go Bears, Go Play in any way.
Got more questions? Feel free to reach out to us at cameroninstitute@berkeley.edu!