Growing Outdoors at Brookside Elementary

Spring Trimester Exploratories – Happening Now!

Spring Registration Deadline – February 22nd!

Spring Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below

  • Spring Trimester Exploratories will begin on Monday, February 27th.
  • Exploratories will meet 9-10 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.
  • Registration must be completed and submitted online.
  • If you have credit left over from the school closures in March 2020, it will applied automatically when you check out.

*Please note that these are the exploratories being offered for the Spring Trimester (February 27 – May 12).

Click to View Your Registration for:

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

Viridian Art: Salty & Sweet Food and Treats! – 1:20pm – 2:20pm –  Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Join our talented viridian art instructors on campus, after school! We will create several amazing pieces of finished art, including drawing, watercolors, acrylics, mini sculptures, and more.
*This exploratory is food themed, however no real food will be used or consumed!
Cost: $315 (10 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: April 3)

Yoga & Meditation!  – 1:20pm – 2:20pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Each week children will learn age-appropriate traditional yoga poses that build strength, coordination, balance, and flexibility, in addition to breathing practices that develop inner calm, mind-body awareness, concentration, confidence, compassion and patience – all tools that will last a lifetime! Children who practice yoga regularly are more relaxed, centered and steady.
Cost: $245 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7; April 4)


~ or ~

Adventures in Watercolor! – 1:20pm – 2:20pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Here’s where you learn how to draw and paint! In this class, students learn the basics of painting pictures – from shadows, shapes, and colors to portraits, landscapes, and comics. Kids will end this program with new skills, greater confidence, and visual and creative thinking skills that will last a lifetime. All levels of experience are welcome! The class is taught by local painter Miles Lewis who will guide beginning students through fun fresh projects and happily help more advanced artists to develop the skills for their own picture ideas. All materials are included. Students will have paintings to take home every week.
Cost:$255 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7; April 4)

Beginning Builders! – 1:20pm – 2:20pm
Calling all beginning builders! Growing Outdoors’ fantastic Woodworking Staff will be leading this exciting introduction to building skills and woodshop. For the first half of the trimester, students will learn important building and safety skills that they can take with them forever! Then, for the second half of the session, students will build their very own tool box that they’ll be able keep! There’s nothing like the feeling of pride after working hard to complete an exciting project! Sign up today!
Cost: $295 + $45 Materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 2, 16, 23, 30; April 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11 (No Class: March 9; April 6)
1st – 3rd Grade Exploratories: Spring Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)

Viridian Art: Salty & Sweet Food and Treats!  – 2:40pm – 3:40pm –  Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Join our talented viridian art instructors on campus, after school! We will create several amazing pieces of finished art, including drawing, watercolors, acrylics, mini sculptures, and more.
*This exploratory is food themed, however no real food will be used or consumed!
Cost: $310 (10 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: April 3)

Yoga & Meditation!  – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Each week children will learn age-appropriate traditional yoga poses that build strength, coordination, balance, and flexibility, in addition to breathing practices that develop inner calm, mind-body awareness, concentration, confidence, compassion and patience – all tools that will last a lifetime! Children who practice yoga regularly are more relaxed, centered and steady.
Cost: $240 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7; April 4)


~ or ~

Adventures in Watercolor! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Here’s where you learn how to draw and paint! In this class, students learn the basics of painting pictures – from shadows, shapes, and colors to portraits, landscapes, and comics. Kids will end this program with new skills, greater confidence, and visual and creative thinking skills that will last a lifetime. All levels of experience are welcome! The class is taught by local painter Miles Lewis who will guide beginning students through fun fresh projects and happily help more advanced artists to develop the skills for their own picture ideas. All materials are included. Students will have paintings to take home every week.
Cost: $250 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7; April 4)

KinFlow!  – 1:05pm – 2:05pm – Click here to watch a KinFlow video!
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade

KinFlow is a new and engaging mindful team sport. Based on the principles of collective flow states, KinFlow is a breath of fresh air in the world of youth sports. For more info on the field disc sport, please visit www.kinflow.com
Cost: $275 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22, 29; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8; April 5) 

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

~or~

Academic Chess!  – 1:05pm – 2:05pm – Click here to view flier Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
We are devoted to promoting the merits of chess among children by using stories, dances, and catchy songs to make the game of chess exciting and easy to understand. Children participating in our program: Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills; Have better concentration and mental discipline; Gain confidence and have lots of FUN!!! All students in the chess club receive an exclusive Academic Chess workbook, prizes for good sportsmanship and participate in the “BIG TOURNAMENT” on the last day where all kids take home a prize! New and returning students are welcome!
Cost: $235 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22, 29; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8; April 5) 

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

 


Readers’/Writers’ Workspace – 2:05pm – 3:00pm
Also known as “Homework Club”, Readers’/Writers’ Workspace provides a structured and quiet area for students to go to after their exploratory and tackle their schoolwork before heading home. With a small staff to student ratio, we’re there to help keep students on task and focused so they can use their time wisely! If students need assistance in any particular area of study, be it writing, math, spelling, social studies, or general organizational skills, we can assist and coach! Parents are encouraged to communicate any specific areas of focus to our site coordinator so that we can help each student be most successful. *Students should come prepared with a book to read each week.
(On Wednesdays, add Readers’/Writers’ Workspace after Kinflow or Academic Chess!)
Cost: $110 (55 minutes – 9 classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22, 29; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8; April 5)

Woodworking – Lemonade Stand Project! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here for a photo of the project!
“Lemonade! Lemonade! Get your fresh Lemonade! Only 50 cents!” Did you know that the earliest known lemonade stands were first introduced in Brooklyn as early as 1873. But lemonade existed long before then. The origins of Lemonade can be traced all the way back to 500 A.D. where the Egyptians would mix lemon juice with sugar to make a drink called qatarmizat. In our own state of California, we produce 90% of the United States lemon crop. Gone are the days where you can get fresh lemonade for only 50 cents! But you can still construct your very own lemonade stand and keep your profits safe inside. Our trained instructors will teach you how to cut, glue, sand, and more. At the end of the session, you will add your own touches to make your lemonade stand out among the rest!
Cost: $290 + $45 Materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 2, 16, 23, 30; April 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11 (No Class: March 9; April 6) 


~ or ~


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: $295 + $20 Materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 2, 16, 23, 30; April 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11 (No Class: March 9; April 6)

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

Scrabble Club!  – 3:00pm – 4:00pm –Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Welcome to the wondrous witty wordy world of SCRABBLE! Scrabble is a game of clever words and cunning strategy. Join us as we grow our vocabulary, enhance our strategic skill, and explore the Scrabble board and all its opportunities for mind-stretching one triple word score tile at a time.
Cost: $180 (10 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: April 3)

Adventures in Watercolor! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Here’s where you learn how to draw and paint! In this class, students learn the basics of painting pictures – from shadows, shapes, and colors to portraits, landscapes, and comics. Kids will end this program with new skills, greater confidence, and visual and creative thinking skills that will last a lifetime. All levels of experience are welcome! The class is taught by local painter Miles Lewis who will guide beginning students through fun fresh projects and happily help more advanced artists to develop the skills for their own picture ideas. All materials are included. Students will have paintings to take home every week.
Cost: $250 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7; April 4)

Kinflow!  – 1:05pm – 2:05pm – Click here to watch a KinFlow video!
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade

KinFlow is a new and engaging mindful team sport. Based on the principles of collective flow states, KinFlow is a breath of fresh air in the world of youth sports. For more info on the field disc sport, please visit www.kinflow.com
Cost: $275 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22, 29; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8; April 5) 

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

~or~

Academic Chess!  – 1:05pm – 2:05pm – Click here to view flier Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
We are devoted to promoting the merits of chess among children by using stories, dances, and catchy songs to make the game of chess exciting and easy to understand. Children participating in our program: Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills; Have better concentration and mental discipline; Gain confidence and have lots of FUN!!! All students in the chess club receive an exclusive Academic Chess workbook, prizes for good sportsmanship and participate in the “BIG TOURNAMENT” on the last day where all kids take home a prize! New and returning students are welcome!
Cost: $235 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22, 29; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8; April 5) 

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

 


Readers’/Writers’ Workspace – 2:05pm – 3:00pm
Also known as “Homework Club”, Readers’/Writers’ Workspace provides a structured and quiet area for students to go to after their exploratory and tackle their schoolwork before heading home. With a small staff to student ratio, we’re there to help keep students on task and focused so they can use their time wisely! If students need assistance in any particular area of study, be it writing, math, spelling, social studies, or general organizational skills, we can assist and coach! Parents are encouraged to communicate any specific areas of focus to our site coordinator so that we can help each student be most successful. *Students should come prepared with a book to read each week.
(On Wednesdays, add Readers’/Writers’ Workspace after Kinflow or Academic Chess!)
Cost: $110 (55 minutes – 9 classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22, 29; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8; April 5)

Woodworking – Lemonade Stand Project!  – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here for a photo of the project!
“Lemonade! Lemonade! Get your fresh Lemonade! Only 50 cents!” Did you know that the earliest known lemonade stands were first introduced in Brooklyn as early as 1873. But lemonade existed long before then. The origins of Lemonade can be traced all the way back to 500 A.D. where the Egyptians would mix lemon juice with sugar to make a drink called qatarmizat. In our own state of California, we produce 90% of the United States lemon crop. Gone are the days where you can get fresh lemonade for only 50 cents! But you can still construct your very own lemonade stand and keep your profits safe inside. Our trained instructors will teach you how to cut, glue, sand, and more. At the end of the session, you will add your own touches to make your lemonade stand out among the rest!
Cost: $290 + $45 Materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 2, 16, 23, 30; April 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11 (No Class: March 9; April 6) 


~ or ~


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: $295 + $20 Materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 2, 16, 23, 30; April 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11 (No Class: March 9; April 6)

Click to View Your Registration For:

Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Covid-19 Procedures for Growing Outdoors?
Growing Outdoors will follow all rules and regulations regarding Covid-19 that have been put in place by district, county, and public health officials. Under this guidance, any student who is under “quarantine” is not permitted to participate in Growing Outdoors exploratories until they have been released from quarantine by their school.

Following updated guidance from the CDC and the California Department of Public Health, masks became optional during Spring 2022 Growing Outdoors programs. As we enter the 2022-2023 school year, we will continue to monitor guidance and requirements, and adjust accordingly, as needed.

What happened to the credit I received when schools closed in March 2020?
All credits have been applied to their corresponding accounts on our online registration site. When you register your student, you will see the credit applied on the payment page. If you think this information is incorrect, or if you have any questions about credit, please contact Alec at 818-889-8383 ext, 704 or alec@growingoutdoors.com.
Why aren’t Discovery Kindergarten (DK) exploratories offered?
Great Question. Because DK 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 DK 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 1:10 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 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. 
  • Each school district requires use rental fees for all indoor and outdoor exploratory locations. These fees go directly back to your school district! 
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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