Bike Club with WMBC

Mondays

Grades: 4 & 5

This is a bike club aimed at getting kids out on the trails having fun on their bikes with other riders at their experience level. We believe more time on bikes naturally leads to skill improvement. Instruction will be limited to the basics - braking, shifting, "ready" position, "level pedals", etc. Please make sure you have confirmed eye contact with your ride leader when dropping off and picking up. (rather than signing in /out) We have scholarships available. Please contact youth@wmbcmtb.org

Register: https://www.wmbcmtb.org/elementary-school-bike-club 

Kids Comic Book Illustration

Tuesdays

Grades: 2-5

Cost: $135

Comic Storytelling Studio introduces students to the art of sequential storytelling through comics. Students begin by developing original characters and exploring facial expressions, body language, and movement. They learn how to design compelling protagonists and supporting characters. Next, students explore story structure — including beginning, middle, and end, conflict and resolution, and dialogue writing. They’ll learn how to break stories into panels and use visual pacing to guide readers. Throughout the course, students create short comic strips and work toward a final multi-page comic project.

This class builds:

• Drawing confidence

• Narrative thinking

• Literacy skills

• Visual communication

• Creative problem-solving

In this 8-week comic book illustration class, young artists will learn how to turn their big ideas into their very own handmade comic book inspired by their favorites.

Throughout the session, students will explore how comics combine art and storytelling. They’ll brainstorm and develop original characters, learn how to storyboard scenes, and build imaginative plots from beginning to end. We’ll look at examples from popular comics to see how artists use movement, emotion, perspective, and panel design to tell powerful visual stories.

Each week builds new skills in drawing, sequencing, dialogue, and visual pacing. By the end of the session, every student will bring home a completed handmade comic book showcasing the storytelling and illustration techniques practiced in class.

Students leave not only with a finished project, but with stronger drawing skills, creative confidence, and a deeper appreciation for visual storytelling.

No prior drawing experience is required. 

Mythmakers With Majestic Adventures

Tuesdays

Grades: 1-5

Majestic Adventures is offering a new After-School LARP program designed to work in the once-per-week nature of after-school programs. Though not an Adventure Quest program, it is active, exciting, and creative experience that draws on storytelling, imagination, acting, teamwork, foam-sword dueling, improvisation, and co-creation. Questers will find lots to be excited about! It allows a slightly higher ratio of kids to adults (1:10 vs 1:6), and so kids can enjoy questing on a team with more of their friends together.

Mythmakers is a series of daily, self-contained adventures all centered in the same fantasy setting (for example a neighborhood in a city). The self-contained nature of the adventures offers flexibility for tailoring adventures to fit the participants’ interests, and those who aren’t interested in the adventure-of-the-day always have the option to play a fun variety of sword games instead. Each mini-adventure contributes to the ultimate goals of the season, such as building a stronger community and/or defeating a powerful antagonist. This means that participants build on one another’s achievements and by the end of the program, celebrate all that they’ve accomplished together. These programs use a simple LARP game system, with rules and powers that promote player choice and teamwork.

Sign up link: https://questnorthwest.com/kids-camps/school-year-programs/after-school-programs/#roosevelt

Woodworking

Tuesdays

Grades: 1-5

Cost: $10

Students ages 6-12 will develop woodworking skills with basic hand tools, while constructing wooden projects ranging from boats to trucks,

dolls to boxes and more,   Students begin by making a simple project (a paddle boat) while learning tool usage and safety procedures.

After completing their first project, students choose from a wide variety of projects according to their individual interests. Designing their own projects is encouraged.

Robotics and Coding

Wednesdays

Grades: 1-5

Cost: $155

Students discover the joy of creation!  Kids learn to build and design basic robots using very familiar tools, turning imagination into reality. Through hands-on projects and interactive lessons, students will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills. They will learn to build and program robots, explore the world of electronics, and understand the fundamentals of computer science. Our program fosters a collaborative and supportive learning environment where students can work together, share ideas, and celebrate their achievements. 

Exploring Fiber Arts, Weaving and Textile Design

Wednesdays

Grades: K-3

Cost: $130

In this 8-week Exploring Fiber Arts class, students will dive into the tactile and colorful world of textiles. Through hands-on projects, children discover how fibers can be woven, dyed, and transformed into expressive and functional works of art.

During the first half of the session, students learn the fundamentals of weaving. They experiment with yarn, paper, recycled materials, and simple loom techniques to understand pattern, texture, and structure. Projects include paper weaving, recycled “plarn” weaving, and creating a small woven “mug rug” to take home.

In the second half of the session, students explore fabric dyeing techniques. They design cotton bandanas using drawing and painting methods, experiment with natural vegetable dyes (such as turmeric, onion skins, and beets), and learn a resist-dye technique inspired by traditional Japanese shibori methods.

Throughout the course, students build fine motor skills, patience, pattern recognition, and creative problem-solving while also learning how fiber arts are practiced in cultures around the world.

By the end of the 8 weeks, each student brings home multiple completed textile projects and a deeper appreciation for the art of weaving and dyeing.

No prior experience required.

Lego

Wednesdays

Grades: K-5

Cost: $130

Strategic Kids utilizes several HANDS-ON curriculum from LEGO®. Each session teaches different concepts and uses different LEGO® kits. Depending on which session is being offered, students come away from the program with an understanding of basic engineering and architectural concepts and principles, basic science and mathematical principles and/or a variety of other topics in the language arts, social studies and even public speaking, problem solving and storytelling! Classes in person or online are interactive with opportunities to share and present what is being learned.

While the program utilizes LEGO® products to teach students these concepts, we integrate other projects and techniques to enhance the concepts.

Bike Club with WMBC

Thursdays

Grades: 1-3

This is a bike club aimed at getting kids out on the trails having fun on their bikes with other riders at their experience level. We believe more time on bikes naturally leads to skill improvement. Instruction will be limited to the basics - braking, shifting, "ready" position, "level pedals", etc. Please make sure you have confirmed eye contact with your ride leader when dropping off and picking up. (rather than signing in /out) We have scholarships available. Please contact youth@wmbcmtb.org

Register: https://www.wmbcmtb.org/elementary-school-bike-club 

Drama & Dance

Thursdays

Grades: PreK-1

Cost: $135

This class will focus on teamwork, leadership, and self-confidence as we work together to build a performance. We will work on speaking, acting, and moving. No prior experience is needed, but older or more experienced students may be invited to help lead and inspire newer students. Our classes will be a mix of rehearsal and learning theater/movement through games and exercises. The session will end with a final performance that friends and family will be welcome to attend. All costume pieces and supplies will be provided.

Art Exploration

Thursdays

Grades: K-2

Cost: $110

Explore all kinds of art! Students will learn different visual arts techniques through fun projects each week. Water color, sculpture, painting, drawing, and more!  Students will be encouraged to experiment and express their ideas through different artistic mediums. Class activities will also incorporate Social Emotional Learning (SEL), using art to help understand emotions, learn healthy ways to express them, and build self-awareness and empathy for others.

Woodworking

Thursdays

Grades: 1-5

Cost: $10

Students ages 6-12 will develop woodworking skills with basic hand tools, while constructing wooden projects ranging from boats to trucks,

dolls to boxes and more,   Students begin by making a simple project (a paddle boat) while learning tool usage and safety procedures.

After completing their first project, students choose from a wide variety of projects according to their individual interests. Designing their own projects is encouraged.

Girls on the Run

Thursdays

Grades: 3-5

The first thing you should know is that GOTR is NOT simply a running program - in fact, participants are not required to run at all, just MOVE at their own pace! The curriculum is developed by educators and designed to build strong youth in body, mind and spirit through active lessons and physical movement.  Whether kids are walking, running, hopping or skipping, they are doing it with a purpose - learning about self-talk, how to stand up for themselves and others, communicate their frustrations in a healthy way - all in a safe environment led by trained coaches who are also awesome role models.  And for the Grand Finale of the 8-week season, ALL of the teams from Whatcom and Skagit Counties come together to complete a 5K and celebrate, building confidence through accomplishment.

It is important to us at the YMCA that ALL GIRLS have the chance to participate regardless of their family's financial background, we offer the program on a Sliding Scale Fee Structure so that no girl is turned away due to inability to pay - no questions asked. Here is a short VIDEO that gives a little insight about the program

Register: www.ymca.org/girls-run  

Chess

Fridays

Grades: K-5

Cost: $108

Through FUN stories and EXCITING lessons, students will come away from the program with an understanding of how chess pieces move, checkmate tactics, and a variety of chess strategies.  Lessons are tailored to the individual skill level of each student.  Classes in person or online are interactive with opportunities to share and demonstrate what they are learning.  Each session of class concludes with a tournament and opportunities to win prizes.