Growing Outdoors at Brookside Elementary!
Registration is Closed – Exploratories Start This Week!
Winter Registration Deadline – November 24th!
Winter Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below
- Winter Trimester Exploratories will begin on Monday, November 29.
- 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 Winter Trimester (November 29 – February 17).
Click to Register For:
Kindergarten Exploratories: Winter Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)
ChemKidz Science! – 1:20pm – 2:20pm – Click here to view flier
Chemistry is amazing! Conduct physical and chemical experiments and learn what makes them work. Make your own desiccators and Elephant Toothpaste, grow copper sulfate crystals, and get ready for an instant snowstorm! All reactions are done outdoors and students wear protective goggles.
Cost: $235 + $35 Lab Fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: November 29; December 6, 13, 20; January 10, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No Class: December 27; January 3, 17)
Hip Hop Dance! – 1:20pm – 2:20pm – Click here to view flier
Are you ready to ROCK! Learn the basic techniques of dance and how to move to the beat. We promote a healthy lifestyle through fun, physical activity that encourages self expression through music and movement. This is a performance-based class, designed to help students gain confidence and self esteem. We teach age-appropriate dance routines to pop music and classics from the past! We put on a rockin’ performance in costumes on the last day for family and friends to enjoy!
Cost: $225 (10 Classes) Class Dates: November 30; December 7, 14, 21; January 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15 (No Class: December 28; January 4)
Yoga & Meditation with Miss Julie -1:20pm – 2:20pm – Click here to view flier
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: $205 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17 (No Class: December 23, 30; January 6)
1st – 3rd Grade Exploratories: Winter Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)
LEGOs Animal Adventure – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier
It’s a zoo in here! This is a unit sure to delight kids who love creatures. Each week we’ll discuss fascinating facts about the motorized LEGO animals we build, from the chameleon that changes colors to the seal model that waddles across the table. Students will love these moving models that celebrate the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Cost: $210 (9 Classes) Class Dates: November 29; December 6, 13, 20; January 10, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No Class: December 27; January 3, 17)
Hip Hop Dance – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier
Are you ready to ROCK! Learn the basic techniques of dance and how to move to the beat. We promote a healthy lifestyle through fun, physical activity that encourages self expression through music and movement. This is a performance-based class, designed to help students gain confidence and self esteem. We teach age-appropriate dance routines to pop music and classics from the past! We put on a rockin’ performance in costumes on the last day for family and friends to enjoy!
Cost: $220 (10 Classes) Class Dates: November 30; December 7, 14, 21; January 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15 (No Class: December 28; January 4)
~or~
Woodworking – Windmill Project – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier
Whoosh… whoosh… whoosh – can you hear that? That’s the sound of windmill sails spinning in the breeze! Windmills have been used for centuries to convert wind power to energy, grinding wheat and grain to make flour, pumping water out of the earth surface, and even sending electricity to our homes! In this after-school woodworking class, you’ll get to make your own windmill model out of wood, complete with spinning blades and hidden compartments inside. Trained instructors teach students how to safely cut, glue, sand, and more, and at the end of the session, you’ll add your own touches to make your windmill one of a kind!
Cost: $280 + $25 Supplies Fee (10 Classes) Class Dates: November 30; December 7, 14, 21; January 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15 (No Class: December 28; January 4)
Academic Chess! – 1:10pm – 2:10pm – Click here to view flier
*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: $220 (10 Classes) Class Dates: December 1, 8, 15, 22; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16 (No Class: December 29; January 5)
~or~
TGA Tennis – 1:10pm – 2:10pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade*
TGA makes it convenient and fun for your child to learn and play tennis right on their school campus! Our proprietary curriculums for elementary school and middle school were created by TGA’s education experts and the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Students will experience a mix of tennis instruction, rules & etiquette lessons, educational components, character development lessons and physical activity as they advance through the five-level program. Our screened and certified instructors have a passion for working with children and are trained to help your student-athlete develop a strong foundation of skills and knowledge as well as a passion for the sport.
Cost: $270 (10 Classes) Class Dates: December 1, 8, 15, 22; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16 (No Class: December 29; January 5)
Readers’/Writers’ Workspace – 2:10pm – 3:00pm – Click here to view flier
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. Computers will be available for students who have online homework to complete. *Students should come prepared with a book to read each week.
(On Wednesdays, add Readers’/Writers’ Workspace after Academic Chess or Tennis!)
Cost: $100 (50 minutes – 10 classes) Class Dates: December 1, 8, 15, 22; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16 (No Class: December 29; January 5)
Yoga & Meditation with Miss Julie – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier
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: $200 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17 (No Class: December 23, 30; January 6)
~or~
Glass Art Fusion – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier
Click here for a great news story about Fireglass Studio!
Growing Outdoors and Fireglass Studio are proud to offer a unique art enrichment program this fall! In this class, participants will discover the amazing world of fused-glass art and mixed-media. Each student will create beautiful projects such as candle holders, wall art, pendants, and much more. Come learn how to cut, shape, and form glass to make amazing artworks out of glass and other media too!
Cost: $220 + $35 Supplies Fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17 (No Class: December 23, 30; January 6)
4th – 5th Grade Exploratories: Winter Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)
Young Doctors: Pre-Med Academy! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
Come join our Jr. Medical School! Learn about CPR, first aid techniques, how to check blood pressure, pulse and respiration, and even how to apply a sling! Learn about organ structures and biology by participating in dissections of a cow eyeball and sheep heart, and experience hands-on activities using all sorts of medical instruments including stethoscopes, thermometers, dissection tools, and more!
*This exploratory is educational only, and students will not receive any medical certification(s)*
Cost: $235 + $35 Lab Fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: November 29; December 6, 13, 20; January 10, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No Class: December 27; January 3, 17)
LeXT Robo Academy – Battle Robotics – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
Join our state winning Battle Robotics program with EV3 Lego Robotics classes today! Students will learn robotics and engineering principles using motors and sensors. Students make autonomous LEGO robots with the goal of pushing their opponents off a round competitor’s ring! Robots are equipped with sensors and innovative attachments that help your bot outsmart and out-maneuver your opponent.
Cost: $240 (10 Classes) Class Dates: November 30; December 7, 14, 21; January 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15 (No Class: December 28; January 4)
~or~
Woodworking – Windmill Project – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
Whoosh… whoosh… whoosh – can you hear that? That’s the sound of windmill sails spinning in the breeze! Windmills have been used for centuries to convert wind power to energy, grinding wheat and grain to make flour, pumping water out of the earth surface, and even sending electricity to our homes! In this after-school woodworking class, you’ll get to make your own windmill model out of wood, complete with spinning blades and hidden compartments inside. Trained instructors teach students how to safely cut, glue, sand, and more, and at the end of the session, you’ll add your own touches to make your windmill one of a kind!
Cost: $280 + $25 Supplies Fee (10 Classes) Class Dates: November 30; December 7, 14, 21; January 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15 (No Class: December 28; January 4)
Academic Chess! – 1:10pm – 2:10pm – Click here to view flier
*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: $220 (10 Classes) Class Dates: December 1, 8, 15, 22; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16 (No Class: December 29; January 5)
~or~
TGA Tennis – 1:10pm – 2:10pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade*
TGA makes it convenient and fun for your child to learn and play tennis right on their school campus! Our proprietary curriculums for elementary school and middle school were created by TGA’s education experts and the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Students will experience a mix of tennis instruction, rules & etiquette lessons, educational components, character development lessons and physical activity as they advance through the five-level program. Our screened and certified instructors have a passion for working with children and are trained to help your student-athlete develop a strong foundation of skills and knowledge as well as a passion for the sport.
Cost: $270 (10 Classes) Class Dates: December 1, 8, 15, 22; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16 (No Class: December 29; January 5)
Readers’/Writers’ Workspace – 2:10pm – 3:00pm – Click here to view flier
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. Computers will be available for students who have online homework to complete. *Students should come prepared with a book to read each week.
(On Wednesdays, add Readers’/Writers’ Workspace after Academic Chess or Tennis!)
Cost: $100 (50 minutes – 10 classes) Class Dates: December 1, 8, 15, 22; January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16 (No Class: December 29; January 5)
Glass Art Fusion – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
Click here for a great news story about Fireglass Studio!
Growing Outdoors and Fireglass Studio are proud to offer a unique art enrichment program this fall! In this class, participants will discover the amazing world of fused-glass art and mixed-media. Each student will create beautiful projects such as candle holders, wall art, pendants, and much more. Come learn how to cut, shape, and form glass to make amazing artworks out of glass and other media too!
Cost: $220 + $35 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17 (No Class: December 23, 30; January 6)
Click to Register For:
What are the Covid-19 Procedures for Growing Outdoors?
All exploratories will take place outside, and only during inclement weather will we move indoors for that day of class. Indoors or outdoors, all students, instructors, and Growing Outdoors staff will wear masks while near each other and participating in our programs. Students may step away from the group for a “mask break” at any time, and are welcome to drink water whenever they like.
In order for Growing Outdoors to be back on campus, we have agreed to follow all rules and regulations regarding Covid that has been put in place by district, county, and public health officials. Under this guidance, any student who is under “quarantine” or “modified quarantine” is not permitted to participate in Growing Outdoors exploratories until they have been released from quarantine by their school.
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!