Winter Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below

Winter Trimester Exploratories will begin on Monday, December 8th.
Exploratories will meet 7-9 times, depending on the day of the week and the grade level.
Exploratories take place Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday each week.
Exploratories are divided into two age groups: TK-Kindergarten and First-Fifth Grades
Registration must be completed and submitted online.
Any late registrations are at the discretion of the Growing Outdoors Director based on enrollment and staffing.
All late registrations will be charged a fee of $25 per child.

*Please note that these are the exploratories being offered for the Winter Trimester (December 8 – February 20).

Click to Register Your Student for:

Winter Trimester After-School Exploratories

TK-Kindergarten Exploratories: Winter Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)

Academic Chess! – 1:40pm – 2:35pm
We are devoted to promoting the merits of chess among children by making the game fun, exciting, and easy to understand. Our engaging lessons help students build critical thinking, problem-solving skills, concentration, and mental discipline, all while boosting their confidence and creativity.

Each student receives an exclusive Academic Chess workbook, earns prizes for good sportsmanship, and competes in our exciting “BIG TOURNAMENT” on the final day, where every child takes home a prize!

New and experienced players are welcome! Students are grouped by age and experience.
Cost: $210 (7 Classes) Class Dates: December 8, 15; January 5, 12, 26; February 2, 9 (No Class: December 22, 29; January 19; February 16)

Sketchbook Adventures! – 1:30pm – 2:30pm – Click here to view flier!
*This exploratory is open to TK-5th Grade students! There will be two exploratory groups: TK-1st Grade & 2nd Grade-5th Grade
Students will receive a sketchbook that they’ll use for the entire trimester. Students will customize their sketchbook and mindfully fill it with weekly exercises, stories, characters, and other activities that help students reach the limits of their imagination. Students will leave this program with these projects in hand and have much stronger confidence in their ability to draw, compose, and express their ideas.
Cost: $285 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 9, 16; January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17 (No Class: December 23, 30)

Yoga for Youngsters! – 1:40pm – 2:35pm – Click here to view flier
Such a fun way to spend the afternoon learning all about Yoga through games, songs, instruments, and storytelling. Students will learn Yoga poses, as well as Meditation! Coach Cory comes with her large bag full of fun manipulatives, teaching students how to cope with everyday feelings through breath work as well! Yoga helps with strengthening gross motor skills, Focus and concentration plus helps students regulate their own emotions, all the wild helping students set up for future success in a fun filled supportive environment!
Come join this new and innovative Yoga class!
Cost: $255 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 19 (No Class: December 25; January 1)

GO Art! – 1:40pm – 2:35pm – Click here to view flier
Join us as we explore the colorful universe of art techniques, mediums, & history! Students will dabble in watercolors, pastels, charcoal and more while engaging with their inner artist and utilizing challenging techniques including perspectives, blending, and proportions. This exploratory will focus on the many disciplines of the practice of art, such as patience with the process, working independently, sharing art experiences, and encouraging art and creation in others.
Cost: $205 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 20 (No Class: December 26; January 2; February 13)

1st – 5th Grade Exploratories: Winter Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)

Academic Chess! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm
We are devoted to promoting the merits of chess among children by making the game fun, exciting, and easy to understand. Our engaging lessons help students build critical thinking, problem-solving skills, concentration, and mental discipline, all while boosting their confidence and creativity.

Each student receives an exclusive Academic Chess workbook, earns prizes for good sportsmanship, and competes in our exciting “BIG TOURNAMENT” on the final day, where every child takes home a prize!

New and experienced players are welcome! Students are grouped by age and experience.
Cost: $210 (7 Classes) Class Dates: December 8, 15; January 5, 12, 26; February 2, 9 (No Class: December 22, 29; January 19; February 16)

Sketchbook Adventures! – 1:30pm – 2:30pm – Click here to view flier!
*This exploratory is open to TK-5th Grade students! There will be two exploratory groups: TK-1st Grade & 2nd Grade-5th Grade
Students will receive a sketchbook that they’ll use for the entire trimester. Students will customize their sketchbook and mindfully fill it with weekly exercises, stories, characters, and other activities that help students reach the limits of their imagination. Students will leave this program with these projects in hand and have much stronger confidence in their ability to draw, compose, and express their ideas.
Cost: $285 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 9, 16; January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17 (No Class: December 23, 30)

~or~

Kinflow! – 1:30pm – 2:50pm – Click here to watch a KinFlow video!
*This exploratory is open to 1st-5th Grade students!
KinFlow is a new and engaging mindful team sport that fuses fitness and mindfulness into an immersive sporting experience for all ages, genders, and skill levels alike. As both a sport and learning tool, it is inclusive in nature, promoting healthy competition, mental/physical fitness, and teamwork! For more info on the field disc sport, please visit www.kinflow.com
Cost: $275 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 9, 16; January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17 (No Class: December 23, 30)

Sports ‘n More! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!
Our class will take your child away from the screens and into the sun. Participants will exercise and have fun while learning fundamental skills of each game, social skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Cost: $240 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11, 18 (No Class: December 24, 31)

~ or ~

Glass Art Fusion!– 2:55pm – 3:55pm
Growing Outdoors and Fire Glass Studio are proud to offer a unique art enrichment program! In this class, participants will discover the amazing world of fused glass and mixed media. Each student will create beautiful projects such as candle holders, holiday ornaments, small dishes, suncatchers, and much more. Come learn how to cut, shape, and form glass to make amazing artworks out of glass and other media too!
Cost: $29 + $30 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11, 18 (No Class: December 24, 31)

Yoga for Youngsters! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!
Such a fun way to spend the afternoon learning all about Yoga through games, songs, instruments, and storytelling. Students will learn Yoga poses, as well as Meditation! Coach Cory comes with her large bag full of fun manipulatives, teaching students how to cope with everyday feelings through breath work as well! Yoga helps with strengthening gross motor skills, Focus and concentration plus helps students regulate their own emotions, all the wild helping students set up for future success in a fun filled supportive environment!
Come join this new and innovative Yoga class!
Cost: $255 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 19 (No Class: December 25; January 1)

~ or ~

Woodworking – Log Cabin! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier
Grab your safety goggles, saws, and imagination for this exciting woodworking adventure! In this hands-on class, kids will learn real woodworking skills while building their very own model log cabin from start to finish. Students will measure, saw, sand, and assemble wooden pieces to create a cabin they can proudly take home. Along the way, they’ll learn about tools, teamwork, and creative problem-solving—all in a fun, encouraging environment. With plenty of time to design and decorate their cabins, every child will finish the session with a one-of-a-kind creation and a new appreciation for the art of building!
Cost: $275 + $50 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 19 (No Class: December 25; January 1)

Coding & Game Design! – 2:55pm – 4:15pm
*This is an 80 minute exploratory!*
Instead of burning out on repetitive coding puzzles, Lando coding students design multiple mini-games each class—blending creativity and fun while mastering sequencing, variables, conditionals, and events. From maze racers to platformers, every class has challenges that adapt to each child’s pace and skill level. After class, parents get links to creations so kids can show off or keep building at home.
Cost: $275 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 20 (No Class: December 26; January 2; February 13)

Click to Register Your Student for:

Winter Trimester After-School Exploratories

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my child participates in the YMCA after-care program?

At the end of each exploratory, Growing Outdoors staff will walk those children enrolled in YMCA program from their exploratory to the appropriate location.

Why are the exploratories divided into trimesters?

We feel that students will get the most out of each exploratory when they have consistent time to be with the same students and the same instructors to build a rapport. By making each trimester eight to ten weeks in length, students will have three opportunities during the school year to try different exploratories. Each trimester will offer different class options for the various age groups!

What do I do if my child has to miss an exploratory day?

Please call us as early as possible (before 10:00am is preferable!) at (818) 889-8383. The Growing Outdoors adminstrative staff will be creating daily attendance sheets for each exploratory, so it would be helpful to have that information as early as possible.

Why does registration close before the first day of each exploratory?

Growing Outdoors wants to provide the best possible after school enrichment program. Therefore, we need time to train and prepare our staff, in addition to reviewing each child’s health form, prior to the first day of each exploratory.

Why are the exploratories priced differently?

The price of all of our exploratories is based on number of class meetings, supply costs, staffing needs, and specialized instructor costs. By basing it on these factors, you can rest assured that you are getting what you pay for!

What does my exploratory tuition pay for?

There are many factors that affect Growing Outdoors exploratory prices! These might include:

We have a Site Coordinator on campus from before the first program begins until the last child is picked up!
There is a Growing Outdoors Exploratory Leader in each class! Our trained staff person is there to focus on the students’ well-being, while the Vendor or Program Specialist will handle the instruction of the activity.
We are dedicated to offering the highest quality after-school programs to our families! Each exploratory has a Vendor or Program Specialist who provides specialized and exciting instruction. To make this possible, each has a fee of their own which makes up the bulk of our exploratory pricing.
Each school district requires use rental fees for all indoor and outdoor exploratory locations. These fees go directly back to your school district!

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