Heads up, parents in Maui: if you've been looking for ways to keep the kiddos busy and buoyant through the winter chill, look no further. The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation is gearing up for its Play and Learning Sessions (PALS) Winter 2025 program. Earmark your calendars, because the online registration is slated to open come Nov. 1 and will remain so until Nov. 15, officials announced.
Structured like a well-oiled machine, designed to warm the hearts and minds of children ages 5 to 12, the PALS program offers a canopy of activities under which kids can play, learn, and socialize. Pencilled in from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, 2026, the winter session promises to uphold a child’s physical, social, cultural, and educational needs, all while wrapped up in the spirit of fun.
Before you dive into registration, breathe easy knowing that securing a slot is not a mad dash. Instead of a first-come, first-served policy, placement within PALS sites will be determined based on the preferred three choices that parents will select during the registration process. And for those left playing the waiting game, there's a waitlist for your first-choice selection, so all hope is not lost. "PALS sites will be filled based upon first-, second- and third-choice selections identified in registration," according to the county of Maui announcement.
The essence of the PALS program stretches far beyond a two-week distraction. In a landscape where screen time often eclipses field time, the County of Maui's commitment to keeping the winter session active and accessible shines through. Applicants not receiving a confirmed site spot through the muddy waters of the registration process will have their names placed on a waitlist for their first-choice selection. This approach moderates the chaos typically associated with child enrichment program registrations and ensures a fair chance for all.
