Growing Outdoors: Online
Registration is Closed!
Fall Trimester Online Exploratory descriptions are listed below!
- Fall Trimester Online Exploratories will begin on Monday, September 13th.
- Online exploratories will meet 7-9 times, depending on the day of the week and the age-group.
- Exploratories take place Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week.
- Exploratories are divided into two age groups: 4th-5th Grade, and 6th-8th Grade.
- Registration must be completed and submitted online.
- If you have credit from the Spring 2020 school closure or something else, please email us at info@growingoutdoors.com! Our administrative team are available to help.
Registration Closed on Wednesday, 9/8 Saturday, 9/11!
Registration may close on a different date for in-person programming at your school.
*Please note that these are the exploratories being offered for the Fall Trimester (September 13 – November 11).
Click To View Your Account For:
4th – 5th Grade Exploratories (4:10pm-5:00pm)
(Select the tabs below to see all options)
Computer Programming – Digital Art! – 4:10pm – 5:00pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory requires access to a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer (Tablets will not work for the exploratory)
Come learn the fundamentals of Digital Art and Design by using image editing, and digital painting techniques to create Animation and Digital Media! Students will leave with an understanding of Digital Design tools for a wide variety of visual goals. This exploratory will meet through zoom, and requires a Chromebook, PC, or Mac computer for the editing programs we’ll use in class! (Additional instructions for logging in will be sent after registration.)
Cost: $225 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 1, 8
~or~
American Sign Language! – 4:10pm – 5:00pm – Click here to view flier
Learn a language without saying a word! Immerse yourself in the culture, history, and abilities of the Deaf community! American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language used by Deaf individuals that uses hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to communicate. Students will learn the alphabet, fingerspelling, facial expressions, vocabulary, history, grammar, and culture of ASL! Students will also be able to participate in storytelling and signing songs! Throughout the classes, there will be little dialogue and mostly communicating through sign. This is a fun introduction to a very special skill set with the goal of the student continuing on the path of learning ASL!
Cost: $165 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 1, 8
Anime, Cartoons, & Comic Creation! – 4:10pm – 5:00pm – Click here to view flier
Cartooning is a great way to learn how to sketch and draw. You will learn to create your own characters, as well as popular characters from Disney, Anime, and more! Learn about storyline, design, coloring, and lettering as you create your very own comic book!
Cost: $205 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 14, 21, 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9
~or~
Computer Programming – 2D Game Design with Scratch! – 4:10pm – 5:00pm- Click here to view flier
*This exploratory requires access to a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer (Tablets will not work for the exploratory)
This class will offer an introduction to video game design and programming by making simple arcade games using the Scratch programming platform. Students will learn to control characters through environments based on rules of their own creation. Creating their own characters and environments, students will also design their own levels. Typical games include customized 2D arcade and side-scrolling games.
Cost: $225 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 14, 21, 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9
Sky High Dance! – 4:10pm – 5:00pm – Click here to view flier
Sky High Dance is devoted to motivating and inspiring youth to live richer and fuller lives through dance. We use captivating stories, special dance games, and positive music to cultivate every dancer’s confidence. Our class is open to all students of ALL LEVELS! At the end of the session, we will record our Sky High Dance showcase to share with parents and friends. Students will perform what they’ve learned, and will take part in an awards ceremony to reward them for their hard-work and dedication.
Cost: $190 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 15, 22, 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10
~or~
Woodworking – Covered Wagons of the Wild West Project! – 4:10pm – 5:00pm- Click here to view flier
From colonial times to the days of the Oregon Trail, American settlers traveled in covered wagons as they searched for land, gold, and new futures! In this engaging class, you’ll join us online through zoom to learn how to safely use woodworking tools to cut, sand and glue it all together! You’ll measure your pieces, learn about structure, support, and engineering, and design your own covered wagon model from scratch. Use it to hold your allowance, game-controllers, and electronics, or bring it in to your classroom as you and your peers learn about western expansion, the gold rush, and more!
Cost: $280 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 22, 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17
Daring the Dungeon! – 4:10pm – 5:00pm– Click here to view flier
Become one of our intrepid storytellers and create a completely unique story of adventure and daring! You and your friends will use a role-playing game system to create your own characters and enter a story of wizards & warriors, astronauts & aliens, or a different fantasy realm of your creation. We can follow wherever our imaginations take us, even online! Virtually guided by our experienced instructor, Mr. Noah, students will learn how to imagine a character, how to work with other players to solve problems, and how to share the spotlight to collectively tell an amazing story that is enthralling for all participants. This is an exciting opportunity for kids to act out roles and do creative problem-solving in a fantasy world.
Cost: $135 (7 classes) Class Dates: September 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4 (No Class: September 16; November 11)
~or~
Creative Writing Levels 2 & 3 – 4:10pm – 5:00pm – Click here to view flier
There’s nothing more fun than telling stories! It’s how we connect with our friends and family, and the world around us! Writing in school can sometimes feel like a chore, but in these classes, it’s fun all the way! In this session, we’ll be advancing our writing skills in a variety of ways! Students will explore playwriting, mystery writing, fantasy writing, flash fiction, word-play games, and much more! Level 2 focuses on intermediate grammar, syntax, sentence structure and formatting, and Level 3 adds advanced storytelling techniques with airtight syntax and grammar!
Cost: $135 (7 classes) Class Dates: September 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4 (No Class: September 16; November 11)
6th – 8th Grade Exploratories (3:10pm-4:00pm)
(Select the tabs below to see all options)
Computer Programming – Digital Art! – 3:10pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory requires access to a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer (Tablets will not work for the exploratory)
Come learn the fundamentals of Digital Art and Design by using image editing, and digital painting techniques to create Animation and Digital Media! Students will leave with an understanding of Digital Design tools for a wide variety of visual goals. This exploratory will meet through zoom, and requires a Chromebook, PC, or Mac computer for the editing programs we’ll use in class! (Additional instructions for logging in will be sent after registration.)
Cost: $225 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 1, 8
~or~
American Sign Language! – 3:10pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
Learn a language without saying a word! Immerse yourself in the culture, history, and abilities of the Deaf community! American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language used by Deaf individuals that uses hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to communicate. Students will learn the alphabet, fingerspelling, facial expressions, vocabulary, history, grammar, and culture of ASL! Students will also be able to participate in storytelling and signing songs! Throughout the classes, there will be little dialogue and mostly communicating through sign. This is a fun introduction to a very special skill set with the goal of the student continuing on the path of learning ASL!
Cost: $165 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 1, 8
Anime, Cartoons, & Comic Creation! – 3:10pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
Cartooning is a great way to learn how to sketch and draw. You will learn to create your own characters, as well as popular characters from Disney, Anime, and more! Learn about storyline, design, coloring, and lettering as you create your very own comic book!
Cost: $205 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 14, 21, 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9
~or~
Computer Programming – 2D Game Design with Scratch! – 3:10pm – 4:00pm- Click here to view flier
*This exploratory requires access to a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer (Tablets will not work for the exploratory)
This class will offer an introduction to video game design and programming by making simple arcade games using the Scratch programming platform. Students will learn to control characters through environments based on rules of their own creation. Creating their own characters and environments, students will also design their own levels. Typical games include customized 2D arcade and side-scrolling games.
Cost: $225 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 14, 21, 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9
Sky High Dance! – 3:10pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
Sky High Dance is devoted to motivating and inspiring youth to live richer and fuller lives through dance. We use captivating stories, special dance games, and positive music to cultivate every dancer’s confidence. Our class is open to all students of ALL LEVELS! At the end of the session, we will record our Sky High Dance showcase to share with parents and friends. Students will perform what they’ve learned, and will take part in an awards ceremony to reward them for their hard-work and dedication.
Cost: $190 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 15, 22, 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10
~or~
Woodworking – Covered Wagons of the Wild West Project! – 3:10pm – 4:00pm- Click here to view flier
From colonial times to the days of the Oregon Trail, American settlers traveled in covered wagons as they searched for land, gold, and new futures! In this engaging class, you’ll join us online through zoom to learn how to safely use woodworking tools to cut, sand and glue it all together! You’ll measure your pieces, learn about structure, support, and engineering, and design your own covered wagon model from scratch. Use it to hold your allowance, game-controllers, and electronics, or bring it in to your classroom as you and your peers learn about western expansion, the gold rush, and more!
Cost: $280 (9 classes) Class Dates: September 22, 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17
Daring the Dungeon! – 3:10pm – 4:00pm- Click here to view flier
Become one of our intrepid storytellers and create a completely unique story of adventure and daring! You and your friends will use a role-playing game system to create your own characters and enter a story of wizards & warriors, astronauts & aliens, or a different fantasy realm of your creation. We can follow wherever our imaginations take us, even online! Virtually guided by our experienced instructor, Mr. Noah, students will learn how to imagine a character, how to work with other players to solve problems, and how to share the spotlight to collectively tell an amazing story that is enthralling for all participants. This is an exciting opportunity for kids to act out roles and do creative problem-solving in a fantasy world.
Cost: $135 (7 classes) Class Dates: September 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4 (No Class: September 16; November 11)
~or~
Creative Writing – Levels 2 & 3 – 3:10pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
There’s nothing more fun than telling stories! It’s how we connect with our friends and family, and the world around us! Writing in school can sometimes feel like a chore, but in these classes, it’s fun all the way! In this session, we’ll be advancing our writing skills in a variety of ways! Students will explore playwriting, mystery writing, fantasy writing, flash fiction, word-play games, and much more! Level 2 focuses on intermediate grammar, syntax, sentence structure and formatting, and Level 3 adds advanced storytelling techniques with airtight syntax and grammar!
Cost: $135 (7 classes) Class Dates: September 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4 (No Class: September 16; November 11)
Click To View Your Account For:
What is Growing Outdoors?
We are a local after-school enrichment program that partners with elementary schools in the Agoura/Oak Park/Thousand Oaks area to provide a variety of quality after-school enrichment programs that focus on the physical, intellectual, and emotional skills of students from Kindergarten through grade five. We do our best to offer a wide variety of class programs, which we call “exploratories,” because we know that each child is different, and it is our goal to find and offer programs that engage your student and make them want to explore more!
Though our exploratories have always taken place on campus and in person during the school year, with schools closed for the time being, we are excited to offer virtual programming after-school this fall! We have been hard at work since the end of last school year building curriculum and finding exploratories that translate well to virtual learning, and we hope you find something in our exploratory offerings that sparks your child’s interest!
Will my child be with their school classmates in their virtual programs?
Our virtual programs are open to all children who have entered Discovery Kindergarten (also known as Transitional Kindergarten) to Fifth grade for the 2020-2021 school year. This includes students from all of our partner schools, and also families from outside that sphere who may be joining us for the very first time! We value these opportunities to make new friends and work with new people, and we are excited to support your child’s growth as they strengthen old friendships and build new ones!
Can my Covid-19 School Closure Household Credit from spring 2020 be applied to the virtual programs?
Yes! If your household received credit for any cancelled Growing Outdoors Spring Trimester 2020 exploratory meetings that we were not able to move online, you may choose to apply your credit to our virtual programs, or hold on to it for future school-year programming with Growing Outdoors. Just follow the instructions once you reach the payment option section of your registration, and we will do the rest to ensure that your credit is applied!
Click here to read our March 31st letter to families regarding household credits
Why does the online program use Zoom as the virtual platform?
By using Zoom, Growing Outdoors can set up links that we only make available to registered families at the email address that you have provided to us. Zoom also allows us to control who can enter the exploratory meetings, ensuring that our meetings are safe and only attended by those who have registered to join us.
What do I do if my child has to miss an exploratory day?
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.
Why does registration close before the first day of each exploratory?
Growing Outdoors wants to provide the best possible after-school enrichment program to your family. Therefore, we need time to prepare our instructors prior to the first day of each exploratory.
Why are the exploratories priced differently?
The price of all of our exploratories is based on number of class meetings, staffing needs, and specialized instructor costs. By basing it on these factors, you can rest assured that you are getting what you pay for!