With the 2023 school year starting later this month, Noozhawk has put together our annual ParentNooz After School Activities Guide. Our guide takes the stress out of planning your child’s after school schedule by providing you with all the necessary information when deciding on which after school program is the best fit.

To help give parents more information about after school programs in Santa Barbara County, Noozhawk has conducted a series of interviews with representatives of local programs for this year’s After School Activities Guide.

In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Isaiah Veal, Program Director at Page Youth Center, to learn more about their after school programs here in Santa Barbara. 

Page Youth Center/ Blenders Winter Basketball League

Question: What is the mission behind your after school program?

Answer: The mission behind our after-school program, the Blender’s Winter Basketball League, is to build character through youth sports. We are committed to not only teaching the fundamentals of basketball but also emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal development.

By participating in our league, children have the opportunity to grow both on and off the court, developing essential life skills that will serve them well into adulthood. We believe that sports are a powerful vehicle for instilling values such as integrity, respect, and resilience, and we strive to foster these qualities in every child who joins our program.

Q: When was your program started and what was the inspiration for creating it?

A: Our program began in 1984 with the goal of providing an indoor facility for youth sports in Santa Barbara. The Page Youth Center and the youth basketball league were created to help fulfill the PYC’s mission of building character through youth sports. This practical and focused approach has allowed the program to become the best youth basketball league in Santa Barbara County.

Q: What is the age range for children to take part in your after school activity or program?

A: The age range to participate in the Blender’s Winter Basketball League is from Kindergarten to 8th Grade for both boys and girls

Q: Describe a typical day or schedule of your after school activity/program.

A: In the Blender’s Winter Basketball League, the schedule varies depending on whether it’s a practice day or game day. For practice, participants can expect 1-2 practices a week, each lasting for 1.5 hours. The exact schedule for practice may vary depending on the individual coach.

On game day, players will have one basketball game per week. The combination of practices and games provides a balanced and structured environment for players to develop their basketball skills and enjoy competitive play.

Q: What is the average program size or class size for your activity? What is your teacher to student ratio?

A: Team sizes typically consist of 7-8 players. Each team has one head coach, and parents are often encouraged and welcome to assist with coaching, scorekeeping, and other team activities. The involvement of parents and the community helps create a supportive environment, while the main coach ensures focused attention on individual player development and team dynamics.

Q: What is the protocol for bringing on a new employee or teacher? How are employees vetted before joining your program?

A: Any coaches or parents who wish to get involved must undergo a thorough vetting process. This includes a background check and fingerprinting to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. We are committed to maintaining a secure and positive environment, and these measures are essential to uphold the integrity of our program and the trust of our community.

Q: In what ways is your program educational?

A: Our program is educational in various ways, going beyond the fundamentals of basketball. It emphasizes sportsmanship by encouraging respect, fairness, and a positive attitude towards teammates and opponents. The emphasis on dedication teaches participants the value of hard work, commitment, and perseverance.

These principles contribute to the development of essential life values, creating a well-rounded learning experience that extends beyond the court.

Q: Describe what makes your after school program unique and worthwhile?

A: What sets our after-school program apart is that it operates at the highest level and offers the most competitive youth basketball league in the area. The commitment to excellence in competition not only helps young athletes to hone their basketball skills but also instills values such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience. This challenging yet supportive environment allows players to thrive, making it a unique experience for all involved.

Q: How do you communicate with parents in case of an emergency?

A: The safety and well-being of our athletes is our number one priority. In case of an emergency, we adhere to the correct protocols and immediately notify parents accordingly. All parents have provided emergency contact information that is accessible to our staff in case a parent is not present. Our team is trained to respond quickly and effectively to ensure the safety of the participants while keeping the parents informed.

Q: What is the date range and hours of your after school activity or program?

A: Our after-school activity, the Blender’s Winter Basketball League, typically involves 1-2 practices a week, with each practice lasting for about 1.5 hours. The exact schedule may vary based on the individual coach’s discretion. Additionally, there is one basketball game per week. The program runs from December through March, December 4th – February 17th and Playoffs: February 19th – March 9th.

Q: What is the cost/tuition? Are scholarships available?

A: Early Registration is available until August 31st at a cost of $295. Late registration runs from September 1st to October 27th and the cost is $320. We are committed to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to participate, regardless of financial constraints, and scholarships are available to those in need.

Click here to learn more about Page Youth Center/ Blenders Winter Basketball League and their after school programs!