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After School Activities
updated: Aug 02, 2012, 8:36 PM

I'm trying to figure out our fall after school schedule. Do any of your readers have tips on cool, affordable programs & classes for kids ages 5-9? I know all of the obvious ones (YMCA, Girls Inc). Interested in more specialized small group settings for music, sports, nature, community service. THANK YOU!

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 304256	2012-08-02 08:48 PM
How about locking them out of the house and letting them play outside like we used to do?
COMMENT 304266P	2012-08-03 12:33 AM
While it may be tempting or sometimes necessary for parents to schedule activities for children after school, studies show that what children really want is unscheduled time to just "be"- especially if that can happen in the home along with a parent or relative in charge...even an after school nanny will do, but the point is to allow them to have down time...After spending more than 25 years working with children...I agree with this.
COMMENT 304296	2012-08-03 07:11 AM
Homework?
AQUAHOLIC	2012-08-03 07:23 AM
Yes! Sign your child up for swimming at beautiful Los Banos Del Mar pool. The Santa Barbara Swim Club offers year round swimming for novice to masters swimmers. sbswim.org or call: 966-9757
COMMENT 304316	2012-08-03 07:59 AM
The Boys and Girls Club on Canon Perdido is a great place.
COMMENT 304343	2012-08-03 08:50 AM
Homework and an outdoor activity. Don't schedule it though unless they want it to be scheduled. Often times my friends and I would just go make bike jumps and ride until the sun went down. As long as they aren't watching tv, eating garbage, or sitting on the computer, I'd let them find their own fun.
COMMENT 304390	2012-08-03 10:51 AM
OP here: Thanks for the posts (all of them!). I have 3 little kids and a teenager - raising them alone. Each of the kids wants to do something once a week that gives them a break from their siblings while learning something new. I agree in good old fashioned outdoor playtime but I also want to find something that helps promote self-esteem and a sense of achievement...for 30 mins to one hour a week :) Keep the suggestions coming! Here's few that i've heard from friends recently in case anyone else is looking. 1. the Sailing Center has afterschool drop-in classes. Kids get to sail for 2 hours, 1-3 days per week. 2. Notes for Notes music program 3. Municipal Golf Course - youth program
COMMENT 304440	2012-08-03 01:37 PM
Reading under a tree in the back yard. Playing quietly in their room, baking in the kitchen...will get them away from their siblings. Parenting. Parenting will promote self-esteem and a sense of belonging. I wish more people with children would try it.
COMMENT 304446	2012-08-03 01:45 PM
Check out City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation. They have tons of affordable programs for young kids.
COMMENT 304471P	2012-08-03 02:54 PM
If you are in the City of SB, 5th and 6th grade students are offered a free music program called Bravo, held two times a week, after school at SB Jr. High. It is an excellent start to a band program.
COMMENT 304690	2012-08-04 09:57 AM
The Library has a great, newly expanded youth section with activities. Be sure to set rules/values and consequences for their conduct during their free time, because today kids alone are much more adventuresome, have more temptations and risky choices than in times past. Self-esteem often hovers on the edge of selfishness. Not sure it can be intentionally cultivated; more a result of inadvertent actions than calculated scenarios. 4-H is still alive and well locally. Honest values and honest skills taught in 4-H. Religious institutions have youth programs and should not be overlooked, regardless of denomination.
COMMENT 304996P	2012-08-05 02:39 PM
AHA (Academy of Healing Arts) has terrific after school programs for teens that promote self esteem, confidence and tolerance.

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