Growing Outdoors at Sumac Elementary

Spring Trimester Exploratories – Happening Now!

Spring Trimester Registration Is Closed!

Spring Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below

  • Spring Trimester Exploratories begin on Monday, February 26th.
  • Exploratories will meet 7-9 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 four age groups: TK, 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 Spring Trimester (February 26 – May 10).

Click to View Your Students Registration For:

Spring Trimester After-School Exploratories

TK Exploratories: Spring Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)

Young Ninjas! – 1:35pm – 2:30pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: February 26; March 4, 18, 25; April 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6 (No Class: March 11; April 1)

Viridian Art: Spring Critters – Bugs, Butterflies, and Cute Baby Animals!  – 1:35pm – 2:30pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $320 (10 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7 (No Class: April 2)

Professor Egghead: Egghead Inventors! – 1:35pm – 2:30pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
This session, students become real-life inventors on Professors Egghead’s team as they experiment with awesome inventions like helicopters, rockets, and catapults and learn the science behind what makes them work! Then they’ll create their very own inventions to take home at the end of each class. At the end of the session, students will receive their degree proving they’re ready to go out and invent something amazing on their own!
Cost: $300 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 29; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7; April 4)

Hip Hop Dance! – 1:35pm – 2:30pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Are you ready to ROCK! Learn the basic techniques of dance and how to move to the beat. We promote a healthy lifestyle through fun, physical activity that encourages self-expression through music and movement. This is a performance-based class, designed to help students gain confidence and self-esteem. We teach age-appropriate dance routines to pop music and classics from the past! 
Cost: $240 (8 Classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8, 29; April 5)

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

Snapology: Kinderbots! – 2:15pm – 3:10pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Build simple models using LEGO® tech bricks and learn the fundamentals of Robotic design. Discover the ways that gears and pulleys create movement while building helicopters and robotic dogs!
Cost: $300 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 26; March 4, 18, 25; April 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6 (No Class: March 11; April 1)

Adventures in Watercolor! – 1:10pm – 2:10pm
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: $290 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 13, 20, 27; April 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: March 6; April 3)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:10.

GO Nature! – 2:15pm – 3:10pm
Explore, Learn, Create with GO Nature! Join us as we explore the wonderful world around us while learning about our plants, animals, ecosystems, conservation, and so much more. Each week will focus on a different activity with students creating a fun craft to take home. Don’t miss your opportunity to be stewards of your environment and unleash the Naturalists inside you!
Cost: $200 (8 Classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8, 29; April 5)

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

Young Ninjas! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: February 26; March 4, 18, 25; April 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6 (No Class: March 11; April 1)

Viridian Art: Spring Critters – Bugs, Butterflies, and Cute Baby Animals!  – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $320 (10 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7 (No Class: April 2)


~ or ~

Kinflow!  – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to watch a KinFlow video!
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: $310 (10 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7 (No Class: April 2)

Adventures in Watercolor! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm
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: $290 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 13, 20, 27; April 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: March 6; April 3)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:15.

~or~

 

Academic Chess! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm
*This exploratory is open to 1st-5th grade students
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: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 13, 20, 27; April 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: March 6; April 3)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:15.

Glass Art Fusion! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm
NEW PROJECTS!!! 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: $305 + $25 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 29; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7; April 4)


~ or ~

Professor Egghead: Egghead Inventors! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
This session, students become real-life inventors on Professors Egghead’s team as they experiment with awesome inventions like helicopters, rockets, and catapults and learn the science behind what makes them work! Then they’ll create their very own inventions to take home at the end of each class. At the end of the session, students will receive their degree proving they’re ready to go out and invent something amazing on their own!
Cost: $300 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 29; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7; April 4)

Hip Hop Dance! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Are you ready to ROCK! Learn the basic techniques of dance and how to move to the beat. We promote a healthy lifestyle through fun, physical activity that encourages self-expression through music and movement. This is a performance-based class, designed to help students gain confidence and self-esteem. We teach age-appropriate dance routines to pop music and classics from the past!
Cost: $240 (8 Classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8, 29; April 5)


~ or ~

Woodworking – Helicopter Project! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Whop whop whop! Do you hear the helicopter? How about making your very own in Woodworking?! Join the Spring Woodworking exploratory as you create this amazing wooden helicopter! This unique exploratory 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. At the end of the session, you will add your own touches to make your helicopter unique! 
Cost: $250 + $45 materials fee (8 Classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8, 29; April 5)

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

Snapology: Real World Robotics! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Build robotic models inspired by real life like alarm devices, earthquake detectors, robotic arms, and much more using LEGO® tech bricks. Get to know about gear ratio, sensors, simple machines, and programming! 
Cost: $300 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 26; March 4, 18, 25; April 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6 (No Class: March 11; April 1)

Kinflow! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm – 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: $310 (10 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7 (No Class: April 2)

Adventures in Watercolor! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm
*This exploratory is open to 1st-5th grade students
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: $290 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 13, 20, 27; April 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: March 6; April 3)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:15.


~ or ~

 

Academic Chess! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm 
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: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 13, 20, 27; April 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: March 6; April 3)

*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:15.

Space Explorers and Young Engineers! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
This session, students become real-life inventors on Professors Egghead’s team as they experiment with awesome inventions like helicopters, rockets, and catapults and learn the science behind what makes them work! Then they’ll create their very own inventions to take home at the end of each class. At the end of the session, students will receive their degree proving they’re ready to go out and invent something amazing on their own!
Cost: $200 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 29; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7; April 4)

Woodworking – Helicopter Project! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Whop whop whop! Do you hear the helicopter? How about making your very own in Woodworking?! Join the Spring Woodworking exploratory as you create this amazing wooden helicopter! This unique exploratory 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. At the end of the session, you will add your own touches to make your helicopter unique! 
Cost: $250 + $45 materials fee (8 Classes) Class Dates: March 1, 15, 22; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 (No Class: March 8, 29; April 5)

Click to View Your Students Registration For:

Spring Trimester After-School Exploratories
Frequently Asked Questions
Why a new After-School Enrichment Program?
We’ve been brought on by Sumac 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!
Will there be students from Mariposa in the classes as well?
Yes! Since Mariposa and Sumac share a campus, there will be students from both schools in our program. 
What happens if my child participates in the Cool Club extended care program?
At the end of each exploratory, Growing Outdoors staff will walk those children enrolled in Cool Club extended care program from their exploratory to the appropriate location.
What are the additional LVUSD fees in my registration?
LVUSD charges Growing Outdoors facility use fees as well as a custodial cleaning fees to provide our programming to Sumac 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!

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!
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. 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 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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Growing Outdoors is an independent company and not affiliated with LVUSD