Core Programs
Morning Programs
Our 5-week Core Programs provide students with inquiry-based instruction and hands-on learning in the classroom, laboratory, field, studio, and theatre.
Morning classes run from 8:00–11:45 am.
*Registering more than one child? Submit a separate registration for each student.*
Hawaiiʻi Nature Studies: Observers
Grades 1, 2
Through activities from CRDG’s Hawai‘i Nature Study program, Hawai‘i’s outdoor environment becomes the students’ classroom and laboratory. Students will explore the world of plants, insects, small animals, and Hawai‘i’s reef and shore. Investigations into different organisms will follow their life cycles, test their responses to various stimuli, observe their different behaviors, learn what places them in different groups, and determine what foods or nutrients they require. The learning experience is enriched through the integration of art, group projects, and games. If permissible this year, field trips will explore tide pools, gardens, streams, and laboratories.
Full STEAM Ahead
Grades 1, 2
In this interactive class students will expand their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students will design, plan, and execute fun and engaging hands-on projects such as learning about states of matter through our slime experiment, exploring real world solutions to natural disasters, building a solar oven to make delicious s’mores, and more!
Summer Games: Let’s Play Sports
Grades 1, 2, 3
By incorporating active play and good sportsmanship, Summer Games fosters a healthy learning environment for young athletes. Participants will learn the fundamentals of different sports such as soccer, basketball, flag games, scooter games, and tennis (actual sports covered may vary). Students will also participate in games, activities, and challenges to improve their coordination and ability, develop their confidence, and practice teamwork. This course prioritizes safety and requires appropriate dress (shorts, t-shirts, and sport shoes, such as athletic or jogging shoes). Sunscreen recommended.
Artist Studio: Creator Space
Grades 1, 2, 3, 4
Creator space is a mixed media studio art class where we will explore and learn about different art elements and techniques with an emphasis on using recycled materials. Each week, we will create original art pieces built around a theme or concept. At the end of their five weeks, our young artists will have a basic understanding of the different elements of design (line, shape, color, size/scale, texture, composition, and hierarchy) and how to apply them.
Hawaiiʻi Nature Studies: Explorers
Grades 3, 4, 5
Through activities from CRDG’s Hawai‘i Nature Study program, Hawai‘i’s outdoor environment becomes the students’ classroom and laboratory. Students will explore the world of plants, insects, small animals, and Hawai‘i’s reef and shore. Investigations into different organisms will follow their life cycles, test their responses to various stimuli, observe their different behaviors, learn what places them in different groups, and determine what foods or nutrients they require. The learning experience is enriched through the integration of art, group projects, and games. If permissible this year, field trips will explore tide pools, gardens, streams, and laboratories.
Students do not need to have taken previous courses to enroll.
*NEW* Musical Performance: Shooting Stars
Grades 3, 4, 5
In this beginner Musical Performance course, students will learn the art of musicality and the ability to perform for a live audience. This fun and upbeat course will help the students to develop confidence both on and off the stage by engaging them in exercises that promote self-expression through musical performance and to develop their musical styles and aptitudes through singing and rhythm games. They will have weekly opportunities to perform for their peers and engage in mock auditions which will help to develop the ability to perform in either a solo or group setting. They will be introduced to many different musical styles and cultures and will work in collaboration with the director to put together a diverse showcase. This course is a student/director collaboration effort. By allowing the students to choose music that they enjoy and relate to, we are fostering a positive environment wherein they can develop a love and passion for self-expression through music. The conclusion of their efforts will culminate in a Musical Showcase, where the students will be able to share their talents and efforts with friends and family.
*NEW* Culinary Kids: A Fun and Flavorful Cooking Adventure
Grades 3, 4, 5, 6
In this class, students will be taught the fundamentals of cooking, including techniques and safety practices in the kitchen and cooking environment. They will be introduced to the background behind some of the dishes we make and their cultural relevance. As we build our culinary repertoire, students will create a class cookbook that includes the different recipes made in class.
IMPORTANT: Please notify the office of any food sensitivities or dietary restrictions as sampling food will be a part of this class.
This class will have a maximum enrollment of 40 students with 2 teachers.
Little Journalists
Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Experience what it’s like to be a working journalist in this collaborative, hands-on course. Students will develop critical research skills by conducting interviews, gathering information, and examining a wide range of sources. Over the course of the program, they will become young journalists—writing articles and captions, capturing interesting and informative photographs, creating layouts, and, most importantly, meeting deadlines. Using all of their newly acquired skills, students will produce a weekly digital newsletter for distribution to every Summer Programs family and teacher.
Hawaiiʻi Nature Studies: Researchers
Grades 6, 7, 8, 9
Through activities from CRDG’s Hawai‘i Nature Study program, Hawai‘i’s outdoor environment becomes the students’ classroom and laboratory. Students will explore the world of plants, insects, small animals, and Hawai‘i’s reef and shore. Investigations into different organisms will follow their life cycles, test their responses to various stimuli, observe their different behaviors, learn what places them in different groups, and determine what foods or nutrients they require. The learning experience is enriched through the integration of art, group projects and games. If permissible this year, field trips will explore tide pools, gardens, streams, and laboratories.
Students do not need to have taken previous courses to enroll.
*NEW* Minecraft®: Adventures in Creating and Coding
Grades 6, 7, 8, 9
Minecraft® is one of the most popular open-world video games, providing limitless opportunity to build, discover, and problem-solve. In this interactive course, students will participate in a virtual learning adventure within the Minecraft® environment. Working in collaborative groups, students will harness their creativity and problem solving skills to tackle a series of design and coding challenges such as hour of code challenges, group-world making, and build challenges that will allow them to express their creativity & practice their computer science skills through guided Minecraft Education lessons.
Announcements
It has been a fantastic 7 weeks, and we have enjoyed spending the summer with your children!
Please check back at the start of 2025 for information on next year's COE Summer Programs. Have a great school year, and we look forward to seeing you next summer!
**updated 07/26/24**
Registration opens in early 2025