Growing Outdoors at Oak Hills Elementary

Fall Trimester is Happening Now!

Fall Trimester Registration Closed on August 28th

Fall Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below

Fall Trimester Exploratories will begin on Tuesday, September 3rd.
Exploratories will meet 5-10 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.
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 exploratory.

*Please note that these are the exploratories being offered for the Fall Trimester (September 3 – November 15).

Click to View Your Student's Registration For:

Fall Trimester After-School Exploratories

Kindergarten Exploratories: Fall 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: $155 (5 Classes) Class Dates: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 14 (No Class: September 2; October 7, 21, 28; November 4, 11)

Thoughtful Tuesdays! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier!
Yoga encourages movement, creativity and playfulness. Through music, books and age-appropriate games yoga poses will be taught to help develop focus, concentration, self-regulation and confidence. Yoga improves children’s physical and mental well-being.

“Just like a flower needs sunlight to bloom, our minds need mindfulness to shine brightly” -Thich Nhat Hanh
Cost: $225 (8 Classes) Class Dates: September 3, 10, 17, 24; October 1, 15, 22; November 12 (No Class: October 8, 29; November 5)

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: $250 (8 Classes) Class Dates: September 5, 12, 19, 26; October 17, 24; November 7, 14 (No Class: October 3, 10, 31)

1st – 3rd Grade Exploratories: Fall 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: $175 (6 Classes) Class Dates: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14 (No Class: September 2; October 21, 28; November 4, 11)

~ or ~

GO Science! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm
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: $160 (6 Classes) Class Dates: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14 (No Class: September 2; October 21, 28; November 4, 11)

Academic Chess! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier
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: September 3, 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22; November 12 (No Class: October 29; November 5)

~ or ~

Thoughtful Tuesdays! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier!
Yoga encourages movement, creativity and playfulness. Through music, books and age-appropriate games yoga poses will be taught to help develop focus, concentration, self-regulation and confidence. Yoga improves children’s physical and mental well-being.

“Just like a flower needs sunlight to bloom, our minds need mindfulness to shine brightly” -Thich Nhat Hanh
Cost: $245 (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 3, 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22; November 12 (No Class: October 29; November 5)

Glass Art Fusion! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here for a neat video about Fireglass Studio!
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: $280 +$25 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23; November 13 (No Class: October 30; November 6)

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: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 5, 12, 19, 26; October 10, 17, 24; November 7, 14 (No Class: October 3, 31)

TGA Volleyball! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory is open to 1st-5th grade students
TGA’s action-packed volleyball program is perfect for beginners and more experienced players alike to build their skills and have a blast learning about the game in a safe and supportive environment. We provide all equipment and bring professionally trained coaches to instruct each lesson! So come discover valuable life lessons, learn volleyball rules and etiquette, and explore academic concepts including STEM through volleyball!
Cost: $310 (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 6, 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15 (No Class: November 1)

~or~

Woodworking – Treasure Chest Project! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
Ahoy, young buccaneers! Set sail on a woodworking adventure and create your very own pirate treasure chest! This exciting, pirate-themed project offers a hands-on experience that teaches important skills! Our trained instructors will teach you how to cut, glue, sand, and more to be able to complete the project using the skills you learn. By the end of the program, each young pirate will have a treasure chest ready to hold their most valuable loot. So don’t walk the plank! Make a treasure chest out of it instead! Join us for a swashbuckling adventure where every student becomes a master pirate carpenter leaving with a treasure chest full of newfound skills and memories! Arrr!
Cost: $290 + $45 materials fee (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 6, 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15 (No Class: November 1)

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

GO Science! – 3:05pm – 4:05pm
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: $160 (6 Classes) Class Dates: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14 (No Class: September 2; October 21, 28; November 4, 11)

Academic Chess! – 3:05pm – 4:05pm – Click here to view flier
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: September 3, 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22; November 12 (No Class: October 29; November 5)

Glass Art Fusion! – 3:05pm – 4:05pm – Click here for a neat video about Fireglass Studio!
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: $280 + $25 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23; November 13 (No Class: October 30; November 6)

Sketchbook Adventures! – 3:05pm – 4:05pm – 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: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 5, 12, 19, 26; October 10, 17, 24; November 7, 14 (No Class: October 3, 31)

Woodworking – Treasure Chest Project! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
Ahoy, young buccaneers! Set sail on a woodworking adventure and create your very own pirate treasure chest! This exciting, pirate-themed project offers a hands-on experience that teaches important skills! Our trained instructors will teach you how to cut, glue, sand, and more to be able to complete the project using the skills you learn. By the end of the program, each young pirate will have a treasure chest ready to hold their most valuable loot. So don’t walk the plank! Make a treasure chest out of it instead! Join us for a swashbuckling adventure where every student becomes a master pirate carpenter leaving with a treasure chest full of newfound skills and memories! Arrr!
Cost: $290 + $45 materials fee (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 6, 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15 (No Class: November 1)

~ or ~

TGA Volleyball! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory is open to 1st-5th grade students
TGA’s action-packed volleyball program is perfect for beginners and more experienced players alike to build their skills and have a blast learning about the game in a safe and supportive environment. We provide all equipment and bring professionally trained coaches to instruct each lesson! So come discover valuable life lessons, learn volleyball rules and etiquette, and explore academic concepts including STEM through volleyball!
Cost: $310 (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 6, 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15 (No Class: November 1)

Click to View Your Student's Registration For:

Fall 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 is your refund policy?

While registration is open, families can call or email to withdraw their students and receive a full refund. After registration has closed, withdrawals will receive a refund of 50% of the remaining unused tuition.

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 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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