Growing Outdoors at MATES
Spring Trimester – Happening Now!
Spring Trimester Registration Closed March 5th
Spring Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below
- Spring Trimester Exploratories will begin on Monday, March 10th.
- Exploratories will meet 8-9 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 two age groups: Kindergarten and First-Fifth Grades
- 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 a fee of $25 per child.
*Please note that these are the exploratories being offered for the Spring Trimester (March 10 – May 16).
Click to View Your Student's Registration for:
Kindergarten Exploratories: Spring Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)
Young Ninjas! – 1:40pm – 2:35pm – 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: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 10, 17, 24, 31; April 7, 14, 28; May 5, 12 (No class: April 21)
Adventures in Watercolor! – 1:30pm – 2:30pm
*This exploratory is open to Kindergarten-5th Grade students! There will be two exploratory groups: Kindergarten-1st Grade & 2nd Grade-5th Grade
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: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 11, 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15, 29; May 6, 13 (No class: April 22)
GO Science! – 1:40pm – 2:35pm – Click here to view flier
Biologists, Chemists, and Archeologists, oh my! Come join this exciting and hands-on exploratory with a new experiment each week. We will learn how the scientific process works by asking questions, making a hypothesis, and seeing the results right there in front of us! Each week is a new scientific mystery to solve… let’s work together to figure it out!
Cost: $205 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17; May 1, 8, 15 (No class: April 24)
Space to Create! – 1:40pm – 2:35pm – Click here to view flier
Create with Ms. Marisa! This fun-filled class offers art projects that are created using a wide variety of materials, both new and recycled. Children are guided by the instructor but are highly encouraged to explore their creativity with the supplies provided. This class encourages creative thinking, sharing ideas and working individually to complete projects. Each class will have a new project, but the kids also have the freedom to create whatever they feel inspired to create! This open-ended concept of creating art is an opportunity for children to discover, explore, feel independent, be curious and feel inspired by the joy of letting their imagination run wild!
Cost: $225 (8 Classes) Class Dates: March 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11; May 2, 9, 16 (No class: April 18, 25)
1st – 5th Grade Exploratories: Spring Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)
Young Ninjas! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – 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: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 10, 17, 24, 31; April 7, 14, 28; May 5, 12 (No class: April 21)
Adventures in Watercolor! – 1:30pm – 2:30pm
*This exploratory is open to Kindergarten-5th Grade students! There will be two exploratory groups: Kindergarten-1st Grade & 2nd Grade-5th Grade
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: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 11, 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15, 29; May 6, 13 (No class: April 22)
~or~
Kinflow! – 1:35pm – 2:35pm – Click here to watch a KinFlow video!
*This exploratory is open to 1st-5th Grade students!
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: $255 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 11, 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15, 29; May 6, 13 (No class: April 22)
Sports Club! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier
Coach Russell is back at MATES along with assistant coach Amanda! We will play a new sport or game out on the playground every Thursday. Sportsmanship and teamwork will be emphasized, and age-appropriate rule structures will be utilized to ensure the safety of all students. A game or sport will be introduced, and then we will do some skill development and learn about the general rules. Then, we will play several great rounds of games!
Cost: $205 (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16, 30; May 7, 14 (No class: April 23)
~ or ~
Woodworking: Train Project! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier
All aboard the Growing Outdoors Express!!! This fall, we’re building our own train to transport us to new places around the world. Trains are possibly the greatest mode of travel of all time, allowing us to discover different areas easily, transport supplies, and expand civilization! Our trained instructors will teach you how to saw, glue, sand, and more to be able to complete the project using the skills you learn. At the end of the session, you will add your own touches to your train, so it stands out wherever it goes!
Cost: $240 + $45 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: March 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16, 30; May 7, 14 (No class: April 23)
Academic Chess! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm
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 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17; May 1, 8, 15 (No class: April 24)
Space to Create! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier
Create with Ms. Marisa! This fun-filled class offers art projects that are created using a wide variety of materials, both new and recycled. Children are guided by the instructor but are highly encouraged to explore their creativity with the supplies provided. This class encourages creative thinking, sharing ideas and working individually to complete projects. Each class will have a new project, but the kids also have the freedom to create whatever they feel inspired to create! This open-ended concept of creating art is an opportunity for children to discover, explore, feel independent, be curious and feel inspired by the joy of letting their imagination run wild!
Cost: $225 (8 Classes) Class Dates: March 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11; May 2, 9, 16 (No class: April 18, 25)
Click to View Your Student's Registration for:
What happens if my child participates in the YMCA after-care program?
Why are the exploratories divided into trimesters?
What do I do if my child has to miss an exploratory day?
Why does registration close before the first day of each exploratory?
Why are the exploratories priced differently?
What does my exploratory tuition pay for?
- 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!