Registration for 2023 is open!
All classes will take place in-person at Houge Park
Each class meets for 6 weeks (1 hour per week)
Classes run from June 19th-August 10th
Each class costs $250 for all 6 weeks
No Classes July 3th-7th or July 24-28
Tuesdays
Public Speaking & Speech
6-9th Grade / 10-11am Tuesdays
How well can you command an audience and speak with confidence? Not only will we write our own speeches about important topics relevant to each student’s life and their society, but they will practice memorization and delivery while learning about strategies for effective public speaking. We will also practice memorizing famous speeches in order to learn the art of writing and speaking from great figures from the past and present. Students will write and deliver multiple speeches.
Critical Thinking: Debate
6-9th Grade / 11-12pm Tuesdays
In this critical thinking course, we will practice the following important activities: debate, argumentation, and skepticism. Through learning about major court cases that current tech companies are battling, we will come to an understanding about critical questions like “Should tech companies be able to “moderate” or determine what content gets published, or should individuals be able to choose?”; “Should tech companies be held accountable when something inappropriate or politically polarizing gets spread on their platform?” “In what ways do big tech companies violate our individual rights and privacy?”
Drama Class
3-5th Grade / 10-11am Tuesdays
So you want to be an actor? Well, maybe you don’t picture yourself on the big Broadway stage or on movie sets in Hollywood, but learning how to perform in front of others, make others laugh, or move others to feel strong emotions will help you master performance as an art. In this class, we do improv activities, practice performing scenes and skits, and have fun with role-playing. We will be using our imaginations to inhabit different personas, step outside of our shells, and entertain our classmates!
Creative Writing
3-5th Grade / 11-12pm Tuesdays
In this class, students will complete a variety of assignments to unleash their creative voice and explore their imagination. Students will write 1 short story (5 pages) with a book cover, page by page illustrations, and an “about the author” section. Students will learn how to make their writing more unique through fun and engaging exercises that develop figurative language, dialogue, plot structure, and characterization.
Wednesdays
Critical Thinking: Current Events
7-9th Grade / 10-11am Wednesdays
In this critical thinking course, each week students will research and read current events, participate in debate, and complete group projects to help them be more informed citizens of their world. Students will learn how to practice stronger methods of source analysis, synthesis, and interpretation. Some current events topics we will learn about include government, corruption, economics, environment, immigration, and public education.
Team Collaboration: Podcast Project
7-9th Grade / 11-12pm Wednesdays
In groups of 2-3, students will collaborate to brainstorm, write, and produce a 10 minute podcast episode about an interesting cultural topic. What goes into making a podcast? We learn how to conduct interviews, how to structure a storyline, how to create a grabbing hook, and how to leave listeners more informed and curious than before. Topics can include: current events and news, social issues, storytelling, pop culture trends, book and movie reviews, and much more.
Storytime: The Hobbit
3-5th Grade / 10-11am Wednesdays
Step up to hear the story of fantastical goblins, gold-loving dragons, and courageous dwarves. In this class, students will read along J.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece The Hobbit with their teacher. Each student should bring their own copy to help read when they are called on! We will have fun activities, vocabulary games, and discussions about the story’s characters and themes.
Team Building: Games & Projects
3-5th Grade / 11-12pm Wednesdays
Get ready for some group fun! In this class, our goal is to get kids to work together through fun problem solving games. Scavenger hunts, grand riddle puzzles, and creating an invention and delivering a pitch with a partner are just a few examples of the activities we will do in class each week.
Thursdays
INTERMEDIATE: Book Club
5-6th Grade / 10-11am Thursdays
Back by popular demand! We will meet at the local park to discuss, analyze, and write about our book of the summer. (Book is still to be determined!) In our book club, we will learn about the historical context of the book, complete analytical writing assignments, strengthen our vocabulary, and have fun projects pertaining to the text’s themes and characters.
ADVANCED: Book Club
7-9th Grade / 10-11am Thursdays
Back by popular demand! We will meet at the local park to discuss, analyze, and write about our book of the summer. (Book is still to be determined!) In our book club, we will learn about the historical context of the book, complete analytical writing assignments, strengthen our vocabulary, and have fun projects pertaining to the text’s themes and characters.
Writing for Self-Discovery
5-9th Grade / 11-12pm Thursdays
In this class, students will complete a variety of assignments to unleash their creative voice and explore their imagination. We will be writing personal essays, poetry, and responses to innovative prompts that lead to a discovery of identity, individual values, and personal life goals. Students will learn a variety of skills, such as writing with a unique style, the art of fiction, tailoring works to specific audiences, and weekly journaling as a good writer’s habit. Students will have a chance to share their work with classmates as well as get published in our weekly Student Writers Blog.
Quest California Tutoring 