Growing Outdoors at Sumac Elementary

Fall Trimester Registration – Now Open!

Fall Trimester Registration Closes September 4th!

Fall Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below

Fall Trimester Exploratories begin on Monday, September 9th.
Exploratories will meet 8-10 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 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 Fall Trimester (September 9 – November 15).

Click to Register Your Student For:

Fall Trimester After-School Exploratories

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

Viridian Art – Under The Night Sky! – 1:35pm – 2:30pm – 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: $290 (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4 (No Class: November 11)

Playground Plus! – 1:35pm – 2:30pm – 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: $230 (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12

Young Ninjas! – 1:35pm – 2:30pm
The monkey swoops through the trees as if easily swimming through the air. The effortless sense of flow the monkey shows displays his sense of loyalty to the jungle, and the environment in which he lives. To earn your blue headband, you must learn to be loyal to your environment, for it is your environment that gives you the power to succeed.
Young Ninjas is a high-energy program introducing children to fundamental martial arts elements, like blocks, kicks, strikes, 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-contact setting. KI-YAH!
Cost: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 12, 19, 26; October 10, 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14 (No Class: October 3)

Hip Hop Dance! – 1:35pm – 2:30pm
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: $225 (8 Classes) Class Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15 (No Class: October 4; November 1)

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

Viridian Art – Under The Night Sky! – 2:15pm – 3:10pm – 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: $290 (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4 (No Class: November 11)

Sketchbook Adventures! – 1:15pm – 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: $310 (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13

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

Playground Plus! – 2:15pm – 3:10pm – 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: $185 (8 Classes) Class Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15 (No Class: October 4; November 1)

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

Viridian Art – Under The Night Sky! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – 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: $290 (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4 (No Class: November 11)

~ or ~

Woodworking – Treasure Chest Project! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm
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: $270 + $45 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4 (No Class: November 11)

Glass Art Fusion! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – 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: $330 + $25 materials fee (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12

Academic Chess! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – 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: $290 (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13

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

~or~

Sketchbook Adventures! – 1:15pm – 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: $310 (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13

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

Young Ninjas! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm
The monkey swoops through the trees as if easily swimming through the air. The effortless sense of flow the monkey shows displays his sense of loyalty to the jungle, and the environment in which he lives. To earn your blue headband, you must learn to be loyal to your environment, for it is your environment that gives you the power to succeed.
Young Ninjas is a high-energy program introducing children to fundamental martial arts elements, like blocks, kicks, strikes, 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-contact setting. KI-YAH!
Cost: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 12, 19, 26; October 10, 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14 (No Class: October 3)

~ or ~

Playground Power! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – 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: $255 (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 12, 19, 26; October 10, 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14 (No Class: October 3)

Kinflow! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – 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: $240 (8 Classes) Class Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15 (No Class: October 4; November 1)

~ or ~

Hip Hop Dance! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm
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: $225 (8 Classes) Class Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15 (No Class: October 4; November 1)

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

Woodworking – Treasure Chest Project! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm
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: $270 + $45 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4 (No Class: November 11)

Games & Cards! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm – 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: $230 (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12

Academic Chess! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier!
*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: $290 (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13

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

~ or ~

Sketchbook Adventures! – 1:15pm – 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: $310 (10 Classes) Class Dates: September 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13

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

Playground Power! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm – 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: $255 (9 Classes) Class Dates: September 12, 19, 26; October 10, 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14 (No Class: October 3)

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: $240 (8 Classes) Class Dates: September 13, 20, 27; October 11, 18, 25; November 8, 15 (No Class: October 4; November 1)

Click to Register Your Student For:

Fall 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