Questions
Questions parents ask
Ten things families ask most, answered the same way the listings are: with what we know, and what we do not.
What can I find on YouthBy?
YouthBy brings together local sports, arts, STEM, camps and community programs in Massachusetts town guides. Listings help you compare published ages, costs, locations and registration details, then follow up with the provider.
Is YouthBy free to browse?
Yes. You can browse the public guides, search programs and follow provider links without an account. Individual programs may charge their own fees.
How do I register for a program?
Follow the provider's registration or website link. The organization running the program handles enrollment, payment, cancellations and availability. YouthBy helps you find and compare options.
Saving a program, adding its dates to your calendar, or marking it registered are all notes in your own browser. None of them enrolls a child in anything, and the provider is the only one who can.
How is listing information checked?
We use published sources such as official provider pages, municipal catalogs and community organizations. Source links and checked dates help explain the evidence behind a listing. Read How we research listings for the process and its limits.
Can I find free programs or financial aid?
Look for confirmed free programs and provider-published assistance. Our guide to free programs and financial aid explains the difference between free participation, discounts, scholarships and childcare funding. Eligibility and available assistance must be confirmed with the provider or funding program.
How can I report an outdated or missing detail?
Use Report a listing issue and include the listing link, the detail that changed and an official source if you have one. If the program is missing entirely, use Add a program.
Why are some fees or dates missing?
Not every source publishes the same details, and we may not have confirmed a current fee or schedule. An unknown price does not mean a program is free. Contact the provider for current information.
Does a listing mean enrollment is open?
No. A published program description or checked source does not guarantee an available seat. Check the current term, registration deadline, eligibility and capacity with the provider.
Are providers personally inspected by YouthBy?
A source-checked listing means published information has been checked. It does not by itself mean YouthBy inspected the location, reviewed instructors or conducted background checks. Families can use the linked sources and ask the provider about their specific needs.
Can organizations submit or update programs?
Yes, through Add a program or Update a listing. Include the official program page and the specific details. Requests are checked before public information changes.
Organizations can also claim their own account: confirm the company email, wait for YouthBy to verify the organization, and then post and update programs from a provider dashboard. It is free, creates no subscription, and never changes where a listing ranks. More for providers.