Growing Outdoors at Red Oak Elementary

Winter Trimester Registration Has CLOSED
Exploratories Begin the Week of 12/2

Winter Trimester Registration Closed November 28th

Winter Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below

Winter Trimester Exploratories will begin on Monday, December 2nd.
Monday after-school options NOW AVAILABLE!
Exploratories will meet – 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 2 – February 14).

Click to View Your Student's Registration For:

Winter Trimester After-School Exploratories

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

Playground Plus! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier
Playground Plus is the ultimate playground experience for kindergarten students. Each week, our games will focus on a different skill like strategy, creativity, teamwork, or sportsmanship, just to name a few. So come join us after school to play some games, make new friends, and have lots of fun!
Cost: $215 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 27; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20)

Fantastic Gymnastics! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier
GroovinKids brings the studio experience right to your child’s school! Our gymnastics program offers a safe and fun environment for your child to learn rolls, bridges, cartwheels, handstands, and more. Our attentive and highly trained coaches know how to challenge and support our students and keep them excited for the next class. Each lesson includes a fun warm up, skill work and circuits, and a gymnastics game and stickers to finish. We hope to see you soon!
Cost: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

GO Science! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – 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: $215 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

Viridian Art – Fluffy Winter Friends! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier
Join our talented viridian art instructors on campus, after school! We will create several amazing pieces of finished art, including drawing, watercolors, acrylics, mini sculptures, and more.
Cost: $255 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 6, 13; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No class: December 20, 27, January 3)

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

Glass Art Fusion! – 2:35pm – 3:35pm – 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: $240 + $25 materials fee (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 27; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20)

~ or ~

Sports and More! – 2:35pm – 3:35pm – Click here to view flier!
Our class will take your child away from the screens and into the sun. Participants will exercise and have fun while learning fundamental skills of each game, social skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Cost: $225 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 27; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20)

Fantastic Gymnastics! – 2:35pm – 3:35pm – Click here to view flier
GroovinKids brings the studio experience right to your child’s school! Our gymnastics program offers a safe and fun environment for your child to learn rolls, bridges, cartwheels, handstands, and more. Our attentive and highly trained coaches know how to challenge and support our students and keep them excited for the next class. Each lesson includes a fun warm up, skill work and circuits, and a gymnastics game and stickers to finish. We hope to see you soon!
Cost: $260 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

~ or ~

LEGO Engineering! – 2:35pm – 3:35pm
Mini figures unite! It’s time to join the wonderful world of Mini figures, LEGO® bricks, and engineering. Our LEGO® STEM class is the perfect place for young minds to explore, create, and discover the endless possibilities of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Cost: $260 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

Woodworking: Tic-Tac-Toe Box! – 1:00pm – 2:00pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
Tic Tac Toe! Three in a row! Join the Winter Woodworking exploratory as you create this amazing wooden tic tac toe box! The lid is removable so you can keep your precious gems safe and hidden! This unique exploratory offers a hands-on experience that practices important life skills like perseverance, focus, and patience. Our trained instructors will guide you to cut, glue, sand, and more to be able to complete the project using the woodworking skills you learn. At the end of the session, you will add your own touches to make your box unique and special!
Cost: $270 + $45 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 (No class: December 25; January 1)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 12:55.

~or~

Young Ninjas! – 12:55pm – 1:55pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
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: $280 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 (No class: December 25; January 1)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 12:55.

Games & Cards! – 2:35pm – 3:35pm – Click here to view flier
Put your game-playing skills to the test in our Games and Cards Exploratory! Students will have opportunities to play new and familiar games, from classics like Clue and Monopoly to exciting new games to stretch our imaginations. Games are a terrific way for students to develop skills in communication, strategy, teamwork, and much more! We hope you’ll join us for the fun!
Cost: $210 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

~ or ~

Kinflow! – 2:35pm – 3:35pm – 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: $255 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

Viridian Art – Fluffy Winter Friends! – 2:35pm – 3:35pm – Click here to view flier
Join our talented viridian art instructors on campus, after school! We will create several amazing pieces of finished art, including drawing, watercolors, acrylics, mini sculptures, and more.
Cost: $250 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 6, 13; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No class: December 20, 27, January 3)

~or~

Academic Chess! – 2:35pm – 3:35pm – 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: $215 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 6, 13; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No class: December 20, 27, January 3)

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

Glass Art Fusion! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here for a neat video about Fireglass Studio!
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
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: $240 + $25 materials fee (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 27; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20)

~ or ~

Sports and More! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier!
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
Our class will take your child away from the screens and into the sun. Participants will exercise and have fun while learning fundamental skills of each game, social skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Cost: $225 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 27; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20)

Creative Writing! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Do you dream of being a newspaper reporter one day, or an author or a poet? Are you brimming with ideas for stories – or wish you were? Writing isn’t just for school – it’s also for releasing your imagination and capturing your ultimate dreams. Come join our creative writing workshop and write and share wonderful, magical stories with your friends. Each week has a different focus, including fantasy writing, journalism, science fiction, spooky stories, mysteries, animal adventures and more. Workshops are led by Sabrina Decker, OHES reading interventionist, professional writer, former journalist and puppet-collector. Yes, the puppets will be there for you to use. We will also have notebooks, group reads, a take-home newspaper and a slam poetry reading for our parents.
Cost: $200 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

Woodworking: Tic-Tac-Toe Box! – 1:00pm – 2:00pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
Tic Tac Toe! Three in a row! Join the Winter Woodworking exploratory as you create this amazing wooden tic tac toe box! The lid is removable so you can keep your precious gems safe and hidden! This unique exploratory offers a hands-on experience that practices important life skills like perseverance, focus, and patience. Our trained instructors will guide you to cut, glue, sand, and more to be able to complete the project using the woodworking skills you learn. At the end of the session, you will add your own touches to make your box unique and special!
Cost: $270 + $45 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 4, 11, 18; January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 (No class: December 25; January 1)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 12:55.

Kinflow! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – 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: $255 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

Academic Chess! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – 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: $215 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 6, 13; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No class: December 20, 27, January 3)

~ or ~

Viridian Art – Fluffy Winter Friends! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
Join our talented viridian art instructors on campus, after school! We will create several amazing pieces of finished art, including drawing, watercolors, acrylics, mini sculptures, and more.
Cost: $250 (8 Classes) Class Dates: December 6, 13; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No class: December 20, 27, January 3)

Click to View Your Student's Registration 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 Wednesdays after school gets out before the exploratories begin?

Great question! After school gets out on Wednesdays and before our exploratories begin, there is a 25 minute window of time where Growing Outdoors provides lunch supervision on the quad. At 12:55 (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 "facility use" fee in my registration?

OPUSD charges Growing Outdoors “rent” to provide our programming to Red Oak 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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