Finding the right after-school program can make all the difference in a child’s growth, confidence and interests. That’s why Noozhawk’s ParentNooz After School Activities Guide brings together a variety of local programs that keep kids active, engaged and inspired long after the school day ends.
As part of this year’s guide, we sat down with the people behind some of Santa Barbara’s leading after-school organizations to learn what makes their programs unique. Through these Q&As, parents can gain insight into each program’s mission, teaching philosophy and the experiences children can expect.
For this feature, we spoke with Ariana Garner, Co-Owner Operator of 805 Beach Inc., about how the organization’s beach volleyball clinics combine skill development, teamwork and encouragement to help young athletes thrive on and off the sand.
805 Beach
Question: What variety of afterschool activities do you offer to students?
Answer: Youth beach volleyball training at Santa Barbara’s East Beach.
Q: Which age groups can participate in your afterschool programs?
A: Ages 8 to 18.
Q: In what ways do your activities support children’s developmental growth?
A: Physical development: Structured drills in ball control, serving, setting, and attacking build coordination, agility, and overall fitness in a fun, active outdoor environment.
Skill progression and mastery: Each session builds on the last, so beginners develop a strong foundation while more experienced players sharpen their technique, giving every child a real sense of visible improvement over time.
Confidence building: Through friendly competition and hands on coaching, kids gain the courage to try new skills and push past their comfort zone in a supportive setting.
Social connection: Small group sizes and consistent coaching foster teamwork, communication, and lasting friendships among players of all skill levels.
Character and mindset: We emphasize effort and personal growth over winning, helping kids build the kind of self discipline and satisfaction that comes from doing their best.
Inclusivity: With all skill levels welcome and financial aid available, every child has the opportunity to participate and grow, regardless of experience or background.
Q: What sets your afterschool programs apart from others in the community?
A: A specialized, single sport focus: Rather than a generalized activity program, we offer a deep, skill based beach volleyball curriculum led by experienced coaches, giving kids real progression in a sport they can build on for years.
Iconic, real beach setting: Clinics take place right on the sand at East Beach, offering an authentic outdoor experience that’s hard to replicate indoors or on grass.
Structured, purposeful sessions: Each two week session has a clear focus (ball control, serve and receive, setting, or attacking and defense), so kids aren’t just playing, they’re systematically developing every part of their game.
Experienced, dedicated coaching: Led by Jordy Dyer and Ari Garner alongside other professional coaches, kids get mentorship from people who know the sport at a high level, not just general recreation staff.
Official city partnership: Run in partnership with the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department, giving the program added credibility, structure, and community accessibility.
Small, capped group sizes: Limiting sessions to 36 participants ensures kids get meaningful coaching attention rather than getting lost in a crowd.
Accessible to all: Financial aid is available, and the program is open to complete beginners through advanced competitive players, so no child is priced out or overwhelmed based on skill level.
Q: Could you share a few success stories or parent/student testimonials about your programs?
A: “[805] Beach clinics were one of the easiest and safest places our kids participated in sports over this last year. That was very important to us as parents. And for our daughter, it was also the most fun! Jordon and Ariana are running a program that should make every parent feel comfortable and at ease. My daughter can’t wait to get back to [805] Beach volleyball.”
“ 805 Beach volleyball was one of the best things that happened to us, this past year. My 2 children, ages 10 and 12, each had an amazing time discovering this sport which was new to them. We are all very much looking forward to getting back to the camp/and clinics this year.
Having this safe, fun, and engaging camp where kids can foster their volleyball skills all while being outside with friends seems not only wonderful, but necessary. Their excitement is strong, I so hope this camp is available this year and in the future.”
“805 Beach did a phenomenal job during the Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Clinics providing my children with a safe, structured, fun atmosphere all the while improving upon their volleyball skills. Our family has done this summer camp and clinics for many years with 4 of my 5 children and felt that the change to 805 was an improvement to an all ready successful program!”
Q: What steps do you take to ensure the safety and well-being of children during program hours?
A: Check in upon arrival: Every child is checked in at the start of the session so we always know who’s present. Small, consistent groups: Kids stay with the same coach in a small group for the entire session, ensuring focused supervision at all times.
Check out at pickup: Children are checked out and released only to their parents or guardians at the end of each session.
Combined with our small, capped group sizes and experienced coaching staff, these measures allow us to provide focused supervision and quick response capability throughout every session, so parents can feel confident their child is in good hands.
Q: What training and qualifications do your staff members have to work with children?
A: CPR and First Aid certified, including training in EpiPen administration for allergy emergencies. Background checked to ensure a safe environment for all children. TB tested, meeting health and safety standards for working with youth. Trained through the City of Santa Barbara’s independent contractor program, ensuring compliance with city safety and conduct standards.
Q: How do you integrate educational components into your afterschool activities?
A: While our program is centered on athletic development, every session is built around structured, skill based learning. Kids don’t just play, they’re taught the fundamentals and strategy behind the game through:
Progressive skill curriculum: Each session focuses on a specific technical skill (ball control, serving, setting, or attacking and defense), so kids learn the why behind each movement, not just repetition.
Coach led instruction: Professional coaches break down techniques step by step, helping kids understand proper form, strategy, and game awareness.
Applied learning through gameplay: Kids immediately apply what they’ve learned in drills and friendly competition, reinforcing lessons through hands-on practice.
Life skills: Beyond volleyball technique, kids develop discipline, teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship, skills that carry over into the classroom and beyond.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day or session in your program?
A: Check in: Kids arrive at East Beach (Main Courts #5 to 8) and are checked in by coaches at the start of the session.
Warm up: The group starts with a warm up to get moving and ready for practice.
Skill focused instruction: Coaches lead kids through that day’s specific focus, whether it’s ball control, serving and receiving, setting, or attacking and defense, breaking down technique step by step in their small group.
Guided drills: Kids practice the skill through structured, coach led drills designed to build muscle memory and confidence.
Gameplay and friendly competition: The session wraps up by applying what they’ve learned in live play, giving kids a chance to test their skills in a fun, low pressure setting.
Check out: At 5:15 PM, kids are checked out and released to their parent or guardian for pickup.
Each session runs 4:00 to 5:15 PM, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the same coach and small group throughout the two week session, so kids get consistency and steadily build on what they learned the time before.
Q: How do you help children who may feel shy or reluctant to join in?
A: We know that stepping onto a new court can feel intimidating, so our coaches take a personal, patient approach to help every child feel comfortable joining in.
Personal introductions: Coaches make a point to introduce themselves to every child right away, helping kids feel welcomed and recognized from the start.
Thoughtful pairing: Shy or hesitant kids may be paired directly with their coach or matched with another player they’re likely to connect with, making the group feel more approachable.
Low pressure entry: We start with low pressure drills that ease kids into participation without the pressure of competition or being watched by the whole group.
Room to observe first: Kids who need a moment are welcome to watch before jumping in, so they can join at their own pace.
Lots of encouragement: Coaches offer consistent, positive encouragement throughout, helping build the confidence kids need to fully engage.
Q: How do you keep parents informed about their child’s progress and experiences?
A: Communication starts before the first session, with our camp director sending an initial email covering all the details families need to know. If any changes arise, such as weather related schedule adjustments, we send timely email updates to keep parents informed. At the end of each session, families receive a wrap up email, giving a recap of the experience and highlights from their child’s time on the sand.
Q: Are there any special events, showcases, or seasonal highlights kids can look forward to?
A: Every session builds toward an exciting final day. As kids develop their skills through ball control, serving, setting, and attacking and defense, the last session gives them a chance to put it all together in competitive games. Top performers are recognized with small prizes, rewarding campers for everything they’ve learned along the way.
Q: What is your approach to managing behavioral challenges or conflicts during activities?
A: We maintain a zero tolerance policy for bullying to ensure a safe environment for everyone. If bullying occurs, we follow a clear process: a warning is given first, followed by a phone call to the parent, and removal from the clinic if necessary.
For everyday conflicts between campers, such as disagreements during play, coaches address the situation one on one with each camper involved, helping resolve the issue calmly and fairly before returning to the group.
Q: What enrollment options and pricing do you offer for your afterschool programs?
A: Registration for After School Clinics opens each August through the City of Santa Barbara’s Parks and Recreation booking site. Clinics run in six two week sessions from late August through mid November, held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 5:15 PM at East Beach.
Each session is $135 for City of Santa Barbara residents, with sessions capped at 36 participants to ensure focused coaching. Financial aid is available for families who need it; simply email info@805beach.com for details. Families can sign up for individual sessions as they open, making it easy to join for one session or enroll across multiple sessions throughout the fall.
Q: How do you gather and use feedback from families to improve your offerings?
A: At the end of each clinic session, we send out anonymous Google Form surveys to families. This allows both parents and children to share honest, candid feedback about their experience. We use these responses to continually refine our clinics from coaching approach to session structure, ensuring each program improves based on real input from the families we serve.
Click here to learn more about 805 Beach Inc.!