Growing Outdoors at Sumac 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 begin on Monday, December 2nd.
  • 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.
  • There is an additional $25 “Facility Use Fee” per exploratory. This helps Growing Outdoors pay for the “rent” that LVUSD 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 a 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:

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

Mindful Mondays! – 1:35pm – 2:30pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $175 (7 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20, 27)

Exploring Music!  – 1:35pm – 2:30pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Each day is a new musical journey! Miss Hannah will lead students through vocal exploration games, group singing, rhythm exercises, and more. No musical experience is required to enjoy music making, learn to listen actively, build interpersonal skills, and have fun along the way.
Hannah Lewis is a professional vocalist as well as the director of Valley Music Workshop, a musical collective set in one of the San Fernando Valley’s most historic homes offering music lessons, recording services, and live events year-round.
Cost: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

Viridian Art – Fluffy Winter Friends! – 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: $285 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

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: $290 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 6, 13, 20; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No class: December 27; January 3)

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

Adventures in Watercolor! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: 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 1:15.

LEGO Engineering! – 2:15pm – 3:10pm
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 6, 13, 20; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No class: December 27; January 3)

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

Woodworking: Tic-Tac-Toe Box! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $200 + $45 materials fee (7 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20, 27)

~ or ~

Mindful Mondays! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $175 (7 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20, 27)

Exploring Music!  – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
Each day is a new musical journey! Miss Hannah will lead students through vocal exploration games, group singing, rhythm exercises, and more. No musical experience is required to enjoy music making, learn to listen actively, build interpersonal skills, and have fun along the way.
Hannah Lewis is a professional vocalist as well as the director of Valley Music Workshop, a musical collective set in one of the San Fernando Valley’s most historic homes offering music lessons, recording services, and live events year-round.
Cost: $265 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

Adventures in Watercolor! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: 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 1:15.

~or~

 Academic Chess! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $260 (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 1:15.

Viridian Art – Fluffy Winter Friends! – 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: $285 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

~ or ~

Sports and More! – 2:55pm – 3:55pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $245 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

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: $290 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 6, 13, 20; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No class: December 27; January 3)

~ or ~

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: $275 + $25 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 6, 13, 20; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No class: December 27; January 3)

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

Woodworking: Tic-Tac-Toe Box! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $200 + $45 materials fee (7 Classes) Class Dates: December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13; February 3, 10 (No class: December 23, 30; January 20, 27)

Games & Cards! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $205 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 3, 10, 17; January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 11 (No class: December 24, 31)

Adventures in Watercolor! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
*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: 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 1:15.

~ or ~

Academic Chess! – 1:15pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flierAdobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $260 (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 1:15.

Sports and More! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm – Click here to view flier!Adobe_PDF_file_icon_32x32
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: $245 (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 5, 12, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13 (No Class: December 26; January 2)

Advanced Glass Art Fusion! – 3:20pm – 4:20pm – Click here for a neat video about Fireglass Studio!
Ready to take your glass fusion skills to the next level? This class is designed for kids who have completed the beginner glass fusing course or are in 4th-5th grade. We’ll explore exciting new techniques, including creating cool effects with reactive glass, working with fiber paper to do kiln carving, and designing a weaving basket. The kids also experiment with silver foil and other advanced materials to craft unique projects. This hands-on class offers the perfect mix of creativity and skill-building for young glass artists!
Cost: $275 + $25 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: December 6, 13, 20; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14 (No class: December 27; January 3)

Click to View Your Student's Registration For:

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 “rent” to provide our programming to Sumac families. These fees are set by the district.

Growing Outdoors has separated this expense from our tuition 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