Growing Outdoors at Brookside Elementary
Spring Trimester Exploratories – Happening Now!
Spring Trimester Registration Is Closed!
Spring Trimester Exploratory descriptions are listed below
- Spring Trimester Exploratories will 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, and Thursday 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 Spring Trimester (February 26 – May 9).
Click to View Your Students Registration for:
Kindergarten Exploratories: Spring Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)
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 for the limits of their imagination. Students will leave this program with these projects in hand, as well as a much stronger confidence in their ability to draw, compose, and express their ideas.
Cost: $255 (8 Classes) Class Dates: February 26; March 11, 18; April 1, 8, 15, 29; May 6 (No Class: March 4, 25; April 22)
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: $275 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 12, 19; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7 (No Class: March 5, 26)
Space to Create! – 1:20pm – 2:15pm – Click here to view flier
Create with Ms. Marisa! This fun-filled class offers art projects that are created using a wide variety of materials, both new and recycled. Children are guided by the instructor but are highly encouraged to explore their creativity with the supplies provided. This class encourages creative thinking, sharing ideas and working individually to complete projects. Each class will have a new project, but the kids also have the freedom to create whatever they feel inspired to create! This open-ended concept of creating art is an opportunity for children to discover, explore, feel independent, be curious and feel inspired by the joy of letting their imagination run wild!
Cost: $285 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 29; March 14, 21; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7, 28)
1st – 3rd Grade Exploratories: Spring Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)
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 for the limits of their imagination. Students will leave this program with these projects in hand, as well as a much stronger confidence in their ability to draw, compose, and express their ideas.
Cost: $250 (8 Classes) Class Dates: February 26; March 11, 18; April 1, 8, 15, 29; May 6 (No Class: March 4, 25; April 22)
~ or ~
GO Chess! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier
Our exploratory classes help a child become more creative, discover patterns, calculation, critical thinking and strategy through the game of chess!
Cost: $240 (8 Classes) Class Dates: February 26; March 11, 18; April 1, 8, 15, 29; May 6 (No Class: March 4, 25; April 22)
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: $270 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 12, 19; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7 (No Class: March 5, 26)
~ or ~
Games & Cards! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – 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: $235 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 12, 19; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7 (No Class: March 5, 26)
Wellness Wednesdays! – 1:05pm – 2:05pm – Click here to view flier
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-3rd Grade
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: $255 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 13, 20; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: March 6, 27)
*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:05.
~or~
Glass Art Fusion! – 1:10pm – 2:10pm – Click here for a neat video about Fireglass Studio!
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
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: $300 + $25 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 13, 20; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: March 6, 27)
*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:10.
Readers’/Writers’ Workspace – 2:05pm – 3:00pm
Also known as “Homework Club”, Readers’/Writers’ Workspace provides a structured and quiet area for students to go to after their exploratory and tackle their schoolwork before heading home. With a small staff to student ratio, we’re there to help keep students on task and focused so they can use their time wisely! If students need assistance in any particular area of study, be it writing, math, spelling, social studies, or general organizational skills, we can assist and coach! Parents are encouraged to communicate any specific areas of focus to our site coordinator so that we can help each student be most successful. *Students should come prepared with a book to read each week.
(On Wednesdays, add Readers’/Writers’ Workspace after Wellness Wednesdays or Glass Art Fusion!)
Cost: $100 (55 minutes – 9 classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 13, 20; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: March 6, 27)
Woodworking – Helicopter Project! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier
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: $265 + $45 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 29; March 14, 21; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7, 28)
~ or ~
Space to Create! – 2:40pm – 3:40pm – Click here to view flier
Create with Ms. Marisa! This fun-filled class offers art projects that are created using a wide variety of materials, both new and recycled. Children are guided by the instructor but are highly encouraged to explore their creativity with the supplies provided. This class encourages creative thinking, sharing ideas and working individually to complete projects. Each class will have a new project, but the kids also have the freedom to create whatever they feel inspired to create! This open-ended concept of creating art is an opportunity for children to discover, explore, feel independent, be curious and feel inspired by the joy of letting their imagination run wild!
Cost: $285 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 29; March 14, 21; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7, 28)
4th – 5th Grade Exploratories: Spring Trimester
(Select the tabs below to see all options)
GO Chess! – 3:00 pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
Our exploratory classes help a child become more creative, discover patterns, calculation, critical thinking and strategy through the game of chess!
Cost: $240 (8 Classes) Class Dates: February 26; March 11, 18; April 1, 8, 15, 29; May 6 (No Class: March 4, 25; April 22)
Games & Cards! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – 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: $235 (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 27; March 12, 19; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7 (No Class: March 5, 26)
Glass Art Fusion! – 1:10pm – 2:10pm – Click here for a neat video about Fireglass Studio!
*This exploratory is open to students in 1st-5th Grade
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: $300 + $25 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 13, 20; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: March 6, 27)
*For students enrolled in this exploratory, Growing Outdoors provides a supervised lunch period before the exploratory begins at 1:10.
Readers’/Writers’ Workspace – 2:05pm – 3:00pm
Also known as “Homework Club”, Readers’/Writers’ Workspace provides a structured and quiet area for students to go to after their exploratory and tackle their schoolwork before heading home. With a small staff to student ratio, we’re there to help keep students on task and focused so they can use their time wisely! If students need assistance in any particular area of study, be it writing, math, spelling, social studies, or general organizational skills, we can assist and coach! Parents are encouraged to communicate any specific areas of focus to our site coordinator so that we can help each student be most successful. *Students should come prepared with a book to read each week.
(On Wednesdays, add Readers’/Writers’ Workspace after Glass Art Fusion!)
Cost: $100 (55 minutes – 9 classes) Class Dates: February 28; March 13, 20; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8 (No Class: March 6, 27)
Woodworking – Helicopter Project! – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Click here to view flier
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: $265 + $45 materials fee (9 Classes) Class Dates: February 29; March 14, 21; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9 (No Class: March 7, 28)
Click to View Your Students Registration For:
What happened to the credit I received when schools closed in March 2020?
Why aren’t Transitional Kindergarten (TK) exploratories offered?
What happens on Wednesdays after school gets out before the exploratories begin?
What happens if my child participates in Club Oak Park?
What do I do if my child has to miss an exploratory day?
Why does registration close before the first day of each exploratory?
Why are the exploratories divided into trimesters?
Why are the exploratories priced differently?
What does my exploratory tuition pay for?
- 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!