Noozhawk’s ParentNooz After School Activities Guide is officially here and designed to help simplify the planning of your child’s after school schedule!
To empower parents with the necessary resources to make informed decisions regarding after school activities in Santa Barbara, we’ve conducted a series of insightful interviews with representatives from various local programs for this year’s comprehensive After School Activities Guide.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Isaiah Veal with Page Youth Center, to learn more about the programs they are offering this year.
Page Youth Center
Question: What is the mission behind your after school program?
Answer: The mission behind our after-school program 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: Divisions: Kindergarten (coed), Boys 1st – Boys 8th (all separate divisions by grade), Girls 1st/2nd, Girls 3rd/4th, Girls 5th/6th, Girls 7th/8th.
Q: Describe a typical day or schedule of your after school activity/program.
A: A typical schedule for a participant in the Blenders Basketball League will consist of practicing once to twice a week, plus a weekly game held at the Page Youth Center. The exact practice schedule may vary depending on the coach’s availability and approach.
This blend of practices and weekly games ensures that players not only develop their basketball skills through consistent practice, but also enjoy competitive play. This balanced approach fosters skill development, teamwork, and a love for the game.
Q: What is the average program size or class size for your activity? What is your teacher to student ratio?
A: Teams typically consist of 8 players. Each team has one volunteer 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 head 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: The protocol for anyone who wishes to join as a volunteer coach is simple, yet effective.
They must first register online through the program’s software, complete a livescan and background check, complete concussion training, followed by attending a coaching seminar. Once those steps are finished, volunteers are eligible to coach a team.
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 its status as the most competitive youth basketball league in the area, attracting approximately 1,000 participants each year.
Our willingness to take feedback and continue to make positive changes to our program has provided us the ability to separate ourselves from other competitors in the area.
This high level of competition not only helps young athletes hone their basketball skills but also instills essential values such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
Our challenging yet supportive environment allows players to thrive, making it a unique and rewarding experience for everyone 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.
Additionally, our staff members are CPR, First Aid, and AED certified, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle any emergency situation.
Q: What is the date range and hours of your after school activity or program?
A: The program begins with mandatory evaluations between October 28th to November 3rd followed by practices in November.
Regular season play is from December 2nd through February 15th, with playoffs from February 17th to March 6th (No playoffs for Kindergarten division.)
Q: What is the cost/tuition? Are scholarships available?
A: Early registration is available from July 1st to August 31st at a cost of $325. Late registration from September 1st to October 23rd costs $350.
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. The scholarship entry deadline is October 4th.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers about your after school program that was not mentioned above?
A: We are looking forward to another great season of our PYC Blender’s Winter Basketball League. Our program continues to grow and evolve, providing an exceptional experience for all participants.
We are excited to welcome new and returning players and their families to join us for a season filled with skill development, competition, and community. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to making our league the best it can be.
Click here to learn more about Page Youth Center!