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.

LVUSD charges Growing Outdoors facility use fees as well as a custodial cleaning fees to provide our programming to White Oak families. These fees are set by the school board and are the same fees a community organization (like AYSO, etc.) would be charged to rent a space on campus.

While we’ve built these fees into our exploratory costs in the past, we have made them separate to help you better understand what your payment is going towards!

We’ve been brought on by White Oak to bring a cohesiveness and centrality to the after-school exploratories. We hope to provide great service, purposeful programming, and a safe environment where your child can thrive.

A few features of the Growing Outdoors program:

• We have a Site Coordinator on campus from before the first program begins until the last child is picked up! The Site Coordinator will be reachable by phone while program is running, have a health form for each child, a first aid kit, student lists, and release/emergency information.
• 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. Our staff person can help with any individual or emotional problems that may arise, so the instructor can focus on the activity as a whole. They will also handle attendance and dismissal (don’t forget to bring your picture ID!) so you can be sure that your child is well cared for.
• The Site Coordinator and each Exploratory Leader will have a walkie talkie so additional assistance is only a walkie talkie call away!
• Registration and payment for all after-school exploratories happens online, making it easier for you!

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

Great Question. Because TK release times are earlier than Kindergarten and are not consistent with the rest of our programming times on Monday, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, we have limited space and staff on campus to supervise and support a TK program on those days. On Wednesdays, school release time is the same for everyone! TK students are eligible for K-2nd grade exploratories offered on Wednesdays (unless otherwise noted in the exploratory description).

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!

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. 

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.

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! 

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).

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!