2025 Summer SOAR is out of this world!
WHO: Prairie Branch and Matthews students entering Kindergarten through 5th grade
DATE: June 2nd - June 27th (NO SCHOOL on June 19th)
TIME: 8:15 am - 2:55 pm daily (Doors open at 8:00- we will begin dismissal around 2:30 p.m.)
LOCATION: Prairie Branch Elementary
DIRECTOR: Brett Schaberg - bschaberg@gvr5.net
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Tiffanie Heller - theller@gvr5.net
Dear Families,
It is time to enroll your child for Summer SOAR, Grain Valley's summer school program! Again this year, we have a wide variety of class offerings. These enrichment opportunities are offered by teachers in our district and are designed to maximize student engagement, creativity, and collaboration. Students will have the option of bringing their own lunch or eating a school lunch. Questions about Summer SOAR should be directed to Brett Schaberg, Prairie Branch Summer School Director, at bschaberg@gvr5.net or Tiffanie Heller, Assistant Summer School Director, at theller@gvr5.net.
Please take the time to look through the descriptions for each class that corresponds with the grade your child will be in next school year.
If you plan on enrolling, please submit the google form by Friday, May 2nd. The enrollment form will close at the end of the day on May 2nd. After this date, students may be placed on a wait list.
***This form may close early based on student response and building capacity***
**COURSE DESCRIPTIONS BELOW**
Camp
Kindergarten- A camping we will go! Join us as we discover and bring the outdoors into the classroom. Camp Kindergarten will help prepare incoming kindergarteners for school by building friendships, learning routines, and getting a jump start on academics.
Underwater Adventure Camp
(1st Grade) - This camp will feature reading, writing, science, and math activities around an ocean theme! How can you dissolve a shell? How do sharks float? What can we do to help save the sea turtles? Saltwater density, ocean habitat zones, water bottle ocean zones, and Project Save the Ocean where students will create a device to help keep our oceans clean; these are just a few adventures that students will take in our Underwater Adventure Camp!
Space Camp
(1st Grade) - There’s no place like space to spend your summer. Blast off on a mission to explore, design, collaborate and engage in space-themed activities. Students will travel virtually through space, design and launch a rocket, and train like an astronaut.
**Please note: in previous years, students in 2nd and 3rd grade have been placed together. This summer we are changing to 2nd grade only and 3rd grade only. There will be a 2nd grade Legos and a 3rd grade Legos class offered. This is the only class that will be offered to both grade levels.
If I Ran the Zoo
(2nd Grade)- Zootopia Animal Park needs your help! They want to hire you to design a dream zoo habitat for your choice of animal. As a researcher, you will need to explore their habitat, observe the animal, and learn all you can so that you can design the perfect habitat for your animal. Students will learn what it takes to care for the animals and to design native habitats that meet the needs of the animals. Students will be able to gather, analyze and apply information about zoo animals and think critically about designing the best possible habitat.
Legos, Legos, Legos!
(2nd Grade) Do you love to use your imagination and build things? We will use Legos to create and problem solve different STEM activities. If you like Legos, you will love this class!
Let's Go Camping
(2nd Grade) How can you plan a camping experience that your friends will enjoy? Come to summer school and plan a camping experience for your friends and family to enjoy! Bring your bug spray and explore the outdoors! We will research different bugs and plants, plan campfire meals for your campers, plot the perfect campsite, learn camper safety, and more! Can you budget for the essential camping supplies? Can you create a campsite location that makes everyone a “happy camper”? Do you have the perfect s’more recipe? Put your skills to the test and design a trip for the whole family to enjoy!
Aquatic Adventure
(3rd Grade) How can we build a water park to increase tourism in our community? The city council needs help designing a water park to increase tourism. Design, plan, and organize the water park of your dreams! Students will be in charge of designing awesome rides, food, advertising, and budgeting for the park.
**NEW** Farm Fresh Adventures (3rd Grade) The "Farm Fresh Adventures" course is a fun and interactive way for students to learn all about modern agriculture while exploring the exciting world of STEAM. In this hands-on program, students will dive into fascinating topics like growing crops, taking care of animals, and discovering essential practices like soil and water conservation. They'll enjoy engaging in activities that help them understand nutrition and learn about the many career options in agriculture. By connecting what they learn in class to real-life farming, students will see how important agriculture is to our everyday lives and the planet. This course is all about sparking curiosity and giving students practical skills they can use in the future!
Legos, Legos, Legos! (3rd Grade) Do you love to use your imagination and build things? We will use Legos to create and problem solve different STEM activities. If you like Legos, you will love this class!
Build Your Own Business (4th/5th Grade) How can you dream up and create a business that people will want to shop at? We're looking for young entrepreneurs! Students will research and learn about the basics of economics and apply them to their business endeavors to help them successfully develop and sell products during summer school market day. They will be encouraged to build their own business by creating a company name and surveying consumer economic needs and wants to assist them in deciding what products to sell. Additionally, they will create the desired products and sell them on market day. Students will have the opportunity to make revisions for a second market day at the end of summer school. Get excited to see your business idea come to life!
Survivor (4th/5th Grade) Survival skills in the wilderness require will and skill! In order to survive, you must find food and water, build a shelter, and navigate your way. Do you have what it takes to survive, thrive, and make it back to civilization? Test your skills during this four- week challenge.
Food Truck (4th/5th Grade) How can I design a food truck that customers in the area will want to visit and buy food from? Students will design and create a food truck and all that it entails from the menu to advertisements and buying groceries needed for the recipes. Students will be encouraged to create and design their own food truck through problem-solving, research, collaboration, and creativity. Students will also get the chance to see and interview real-life food truck owners as well as create one item from their menu!
Adopt a Pet (4th/5th Grade) Why should you support adopting a pet from an animal shelter? Pet promoters wanted! Students will research and persuade the public about why you should adopt a pet from an animal shelter. Animal advocates will learn about and participate in ways they can support their local animal shelters including hosting a dog wash and donation drive. Participants final adopt a pet project will be to design their own animal shelter.
**NEW*** Theater Camp (4th/5th Grade) Students should get ready to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of theater! Throughout the summer, participants will explore the fundamentals of plays by planning, writing and performing their own original plays. Through engaging activities, collaborative projects, and hands-on experiences, students will develop their creativity, enhance their storytelling skills, and gain confidence on stage. Whether you're a budding actor or a passionate playwright, this camp is the perfect opportunity to express yourself and bring your imagination to life! in previous years, students in 2nd and 3rd grade have been placed together.
