With the 2022 school year just around the corner, Noozhawk has put together our annual ParentNooz Afterschool Activities Guide. We made sure to make things easy when planning your child’s school year and have compiled a list of local organizations who are offering afterschool programs.
Our 2022 Afterschool Activities Guide provides you and your child with all the necessary information when deciding on which afterschool program is the best fit.
To give parents the tools to help make informed decisions about afterschool programs for their kids in Santa Barbara, Noozhawk has conducted a series of interviews with representatives of local programs for this year’s Afterschool Activities Guide.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Aaron Martinez, Executive Director at Page Youth Center, to learn more about their afterschool programs here in Santa Barbara.
Page Youth Center
Question: What is the name of your Afterschool Activity/Program? What is its mission?
Answer: Page Youth Center Blenders Winter Basketball League. Our mission is to build character through youth and community sports programs.
Q: Describe the activities involved in your Afterschool Activity/Program.
A: The Blenders Winter Basketball League provides an opportunity for kids to develop sportsmanship, teamwork, basketball skills, and have fun while competing in division playoffs.
Q: When does registration begin?
A: Registration is $265 per player (scholarships available), August 10-October 3. Late Registration is $290 per player October 4-November 1. After November 1st we will create a waiting list.
Q: What are the season dates?
A: Mandatory evaluations will occur for all divisions on November 4-6 (schedule for specific divisions will be available on our website by August 10. Regular Season Games will be played from December 5-February 25. Playoffs will be played from February 27-March 16 at the latest. All divisions will have playoffs with the exception of Kindergarten.
Q: How is Blenders involved in the league?
A: The league is sponsored by Blenders in the Grass, a local company known for its healthy and delicious smoothies for kids of all ages and a long-time supporter of youth sports in the Santa Barbara community. Together, PYC and Blenders have partnered again to deliver the largest Winter recreational basketball league in Santa Barbara for kids in Kindergarten – 8th grades.
Q: What are the hours of your afterschool activity or program?
A: 1-2 Practices a week for 1.5 hours depending on each individual coach. One basketball game per week.
Q: What is the age range for children to take part in your after school activity or program?
A: The program welcomes all kids in Kindergarten – 8th grades. The boys division includes 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. The girls division includes 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, 5th/6th and 7th/8th grades. The Kindergarten division will be coed.
Q: When was your program started and what was the inspiration for creating it?
A: The program began in 1984 and has become one of the strongest youth programs in town. The Page Youth Center and the youth basketball league were created to provide a facility for indoor youth sports in Santa Barbara that would foster the PYC’s mission to help build character through youth sports.
Click here to learn more about Page Youth Center and their afterschool programs!