Growing Outdoors at Brookside Elementary

Winter Trimester Registration Has CLOSED
Exploratories Begin the Week of 12/2

Winter Trimester Registration – Closed November 28th

Winter Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below

  • Winter Trimester Exploratories will begin on Monday, December 2nd.
  • Exploratories will meet 8-9 times, depending on the day of the week and the grade level.
  • Exploratories take place Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week.
  • Exploratories are divided into three age groups: Kindergarten, First-Third Grade, and Fourth-Fifth Grade.
  • There is an additional $25 “Facility Use Fee” per exploratory. This helps Growing Outdoors pay for the “rent” that OPUSD charges to run our program on campus.
  • 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 an additional fee of $25 per exploratory.

*Please note that these are the exploratories being offered for the Winter Trimester (December 2 – February 13).

Click to View Your Student's Registration for:

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

Exploring Music! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Each day is a new musical journey! Miss Hannah will lead students through vocal exploration games, group singing, rhythm exercises, and more. No musical experience is required to enjoy music making, learn to listen actively, build interpersonal skills, and have fun along the way.
Hannah Lewis is a professional vocalist as well as the director of Valley Music Workshop, a musical collective set in one of the San Fernando Valley’s most historic homes offering music lessons, recording services, and live events year-round.
Cost: $240 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 27; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20)

GO Chess!  – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Our exploratory classes help a child become more creative, discover patterns, calculation, critical thinking and strategy through the game of chess! All skill levels welcome! Come explore the majesty of learning this nearly 1,500 year old game! Go home and show off your skills to your family… you might just be able to beat them soon!
Cost: $275 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31) 

Young Ninjas! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Discover your inner ninja! Young Ninjas is a high-energy program introducing children to fundamental martial arts elements, like blocks, kicks, strikes, situational awareness, basic self-defense, and the all-important KI-YAH! Through skill training, fun games, creative challenges, and Pad work on foam targets, children develop self-confidence and learn to enjoy being physically active in a non-competitive setting. C’mon, how cool!
Cost: $275 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

1st – 3rd Grade Exploratories: Winter Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)

Exploring Music!  – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Each day is a new musical journey! Miss Hannah will lead students through vocal exploration games, group singing, rhythm exercises, and more. No musical experience is required to enjoy music making, learn to listen actively, build interpersonal skills, and have fun along the way.
Hannah Lewis is a professional vocalist as well as the director of Valley Music Workshop, a musical collective set in one of the San Fernando Valley’s most historic homes offering music lessons, recording services, and live events year-round.
Cost: $235 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 27; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20)


~ or ~

 

LEGO Engineering!  – 2:40pm – 3:40pm
Mini figures unite! It’s time to join the wonderful world of Mini figures, LEGO® bricks, and engineering. Our LEGO® STEM class is the perfect place for young minds to explore, create, and discover the endless possibilities of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Cost: $225 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 27; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20)

Glass Art Fusion!  – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here for a neat video about Fireglass Studio!
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: $275 + $25 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

~ or ~

GO Chess!  – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Our exploratory classes help a child become more creative, discover patterns, calculation, critical thinking and strategy through the game of chess! All skill levels welcome! Come explore the majesty of learning this nearly 1,500 year old game! Go home and show off your skills to your family… you might just be able to beat them soon!
Cost: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

Fantastic Gymnastics!  – 1:05pm – 2:05pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade

GroovinKids brings the studio experience right to your child’s school! Our gymnastics program offers a safe and fun environment for your child to learn rolls, bridges, cartwheels, handstands, and more. Our attentive and highly trained coaches know how to challenge and support our students and keep them excited for the next class. Each lesson includes a fun warm up, skill work and circuits, and a gymnastics game and stickers to finish. We hope to see you soon!
Cost: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 (No class: December 25; January 1)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:05.

~or~

Sew Fun!  – 1:10pm – 2:10pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
Ripped a hole in your favorite backpack? A button popped off your coat? Not to worry! Growing Outdoors is here to guide students in developing the incredibly helpful life skill of sewing! Not only can sewing help solve the issue of rips and tears from everyday life, it can also inspire creativity, boost problem-solving and fine-motor skill coordination, and – our favorite part – IT’S FUN! Together we will explore hand-sewing, sewing machines (provided), and everything in-between. We hope to sew together soon!
Cost: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 (No class: December 25; January 1)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:10.

Woodworking: Tic-Tac-Toe Box! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Tic Tac Toe! Three in a row! Join the Winter Woodworking exploratory as you create this amazing wooden tic tac toe box! The lid is removable so you can keep your precious gems safe and hidden! This unique exploratory offers a hands-on experience that practices important life skills like perseverance, focus, and patience. Our trained instructors will guide you to cut, glue, sand, and more to be able to complete the project using the woodworking skills you learn. At the end of the session, you will add your own touches to make your box unique and special!
Cost: $260 + $45 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

~ or ~

 Young Ninjas! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Discover your inner ninja! Young Ninjas is a high-energy program introducing children to fundamental martial arts elements, like blocks, kicks, strikes, situational awareness, basic self-defense, and the all-important KI-YAH! Through skill training, fun games, creative challenges, and Pad work on foam targets, children develop self-confidence and learn to enjoy being physically active in a non-competitive setting. C’mon, how cool!
Cost: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

4th – 5th Grade Exploratories: Winter Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)

LEGO Engineering! – 3:00 pm – 4:00pm
Mini figures unite! It’s time to join the wonderful world of Mini figures, LEGO® bricks, and engineering. Our LEGO® STEM class is the perfect place for young minds to explore, create, and discover the endless possibilities of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Cost: $225 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 27; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20)

Glass Art Fusion! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here for a neat video about Fireglass Studio!
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: $275 + $25 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

~ or ~

GO Chess! 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Our exploratory classes help a child become more creative, discover patterns, calculation, critical thinking and strategy through the game of chess!
Cost: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

Fantastic Gymnastics!  – 1:05pm – 2:05pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
GroovinKids brings the studio experience right to your child’s school! Our gymnastics program offers a safe and fun environment for your child to learn rolls, bridges, cartwheels, handstands, and more. Our attentive and highly trained coaches know how to challenge and support our students and keep them excited for the next class. Each lesson includes a fun warm up, skill work and circuits, and a gymnastics game and stickers to finish. We hope to see you soon!
Cost: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 (No class: December 25; January 1)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:05.

~ or ~

 Sew Fun!  – 1:10pm – 2:10pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
Ripped a hole in your favorite backpack? A button popped off your coat? Not to worry! Growing Outdoors is here to guide students in developing the incredibly helpful life skill of sewing! Not only can sewing help solve the issue of rips and tears from everyday life, it can also inspire creativity, boost problem-solving and fine-motor skill coordination, and – our favorite part – IT’S FUN! Together we will explore hand-sewing, sewing machines (provided), and everything in-between. We hope to sew together soon!
Cost: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 (No class: December 25; January 1)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:10.

Woodworking: Tic-tac-toe Box!  – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Tic Tac Toe! Three in a row! Join the Winter Woodworking exploratory as you create this amazing wooden tic tac toe box! The lid is removable so you can keep your precious gems safe and hidden! This unique exploratory offers a hands-on experience that practices important life skills like perseverance, focus, and patience. Our trained instructors will guide you to cut, glue, sand, and more to be able to complete the project using the woodworking skills you learn. At the end of the session, you will add your own touches to make your box unique and special!
Cost: $260 + $45 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

Click to View Your Student's Registration for:

Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren’t Transitional Kindergarten (TK) exploratories offered?
Great Question. Because TK class release times are earlier than Kindergarten and are not consistent with the rest of our programming times, we have limited space and staff on campus to supervise and support a TK program at this time. We hope to meet your child next year as they enter Kindergarten!
What happens on Wednesdays after school gets out before the exploratories begin?
Great question! After school gets out on Wednesdays and before our exploratories begin, there is a 25 minute window of time where Growing Outdoors provides lunch supervision on the quad. At 1:05 our staff gathers all of the students enrolled in our programs and gets the afternoon fun started!
What happens if my child participates in Club Oak Park?
At the end of each exploratory, Growing Outdoors staff will walk those children enrolled in Club Oak Park from their exploratory to the appropriate location and transfer their care to the Club Oak Park staff.
What is the additional "Facility Use" fee in my registration?

OPUSD charges Growing Outdoors “rent” to provide our programming to Brookside families. These fees are set by the OPUSD school board.

Growing Outdoors has separated this expense from our tuition to help you better understand what your payment is going towards!

What do I do if my child has to miss an exploratory day?
Please call us as early as possible (before 11 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. If a child that is expected does not show up for their exploratory, we will first check with the school to confirm that they were in attendance that day, and then we will call the parents to confirm their child’s safety.
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 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!
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. 
Is it possible for an exploratory to be cancelled?
Occasionally, Growing Outdoors has to cancel an exploratory because low enrollment numbers make it logistically and financially nonviable. Should this happen to any exploratory for which you have signed up your child, we will contact you to discuss all alternative options (including the option of a full refund for the cancelled exploratory).
Could an individual class meeting be cancelled?
On very rare occasions, an exploratory does not happen quite as we planned! If there is ever an exploratory meeting that needs to be rescheduled, we will notify you in advance, and will still offer optional care for your child during their normal exploratory hour in the form of fun games and activities led by Growing Outdoors staff. Should an instructor be late or unable to make it to an exploratory meeting due to unforeseen circumstances, we will work with the school and vendor to reschedule the “missed” class. Never fear! Growing Outdoors staff will always be there to collect and care for your child and to make sure that they have a great time!

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