Growing Outdoors at Oak Hills Elementary

Winter Trimester Registration ENDS in:

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Winter Trimester Registration Closes November 27th

Winter Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below

Winter Trimester Exploratories will begin on Monday, December 1st.
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 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 1 – February 13).

Click to Register Your Student for:

Winter Trimester After-School Exploratories

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

Young Ninjas! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier
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: $230 (7 Classes) Class Dates: December 1, 8, 15; January 5, 12, 26; February 2 (No Class: December 22, 29; January 19; February 9)

GO Art! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – 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: $200 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3 (No Class: December 23, 30; February 10)

Sketchbook Adventures! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier!
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: $265 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5 (No Class: December 25; January 1; February 12)

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

Young Ninjas! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier
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: $260 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 1, 8, 15; January 5, 12, 26; February 2, 9 (No Class: December 22, 29; January 19)

~ or ~

Sew Fun! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – C lick here to view flier
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 skills 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: $260 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 1, 8, 15; January 5, 12, 26; February 2, 9 (No Class: December 22, 29; January 19)

Glass Art Fusion! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm
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 + $30 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10 (No Class: December 23, 30)

GO Engineering! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm
Get ready to build, design and discover in this hands-on engineering class! Each week, young engineers will tackle exciting challenges using real-world problem-solving skills. From building bridges and designing rollercoasters, students will learn how things work – and how to make them better!
Cost: $230 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No Class: December 24, 31)

Sketchbook Adventures! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier!
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: $290 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 (No Class: December 25; January 1)

~ or ~

Kinflow! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to watch a KinFlow video!
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: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 (No Class: December 25; January 1)

Woodworking – Log Cabin! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory is open to 1st-5th grade students
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: $270 + $50 materials fee (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 19, 26; January 2)

~or~

GO Chess! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
Our exploratory classes help a child become more creative, discover patterns, calculation, critical thinking, and strategy through the game of chess! All skill levels are 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 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 19, 26; January 2)

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

Sew Fun! – 3:05pm – 4:05pm – Click here to view flier
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 skills 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: $260 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 1, 8, 15; January 5, 12, 26; February 2, 9 (No Class: December 22, 29; January 19)

Glass Art Fusion! – 3:05pm – 4:05pm
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 + $30 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10 (No Class: December 23, 30)

GO Engineering! – 3:05pm – 4:05pm
Get ready to build, design and discover in this hands-on engineering class! Each week, young engineers will tackle exciting challenges using real-world problem-solving skills. From building bridges and designing rollercoasters, students will learn how things work – and how to make them better!
Cost: $230 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No Class: December 24, 31)

Kinflow! – 3:05pm – 4:05pm – Click here to watch a KinFlow video!
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: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 (No Class: December 25; January 1)

Woodworking – Log Cabin! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
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: $270 + $50 materials fee (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 19, 26; January 2)

~ or ~

GO Chess! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm
*This exploratory is open to 1st-5th grade students
Our exploratory classes help a child become more creative, discover patterns, calculation, critical thinking, and strategy through the game of chess! All skill levels are 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 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 19, 26; January 2)

Click to Register Your Student for:

Winter Trimester After-School Exploratories

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 Fridays after school gets out before the exploratories begin?

Great question! After school gets out on Fridays 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 (or 12:40 for Kindergarten students) 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.
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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