After School & Summer Programs
Adventure Play After School (APAS)
Adventure Play After School (APAS) at University Primary is all about self-directed play for children with interesting materials, adequate time to engage and permission to explore their interests for preschool-5th graders after school. Playworkers support children using a gentle approach, offering trust, unconditional positive regard and a caring presence. We uphold an inclusive, caring environment ripe for all play types and operate with a deep respect for children.
Self-directed play is so important for children as they grow, process the world around them, test new ideas and synthesize what they're learning elsewhere. Play is an innate, biological drive and a fundamental need as well a right of each child. We understand the importance of play for children and are thrilled to be able to offer dedicated and extended time for self-directed play and self-exploration here in an environment of care, safety and acceptance here at University Primary School.
Grades: Preschool-5th
Time: APAS hours are 3:00-5:30 pm on school days (except early dismissal) and families may pick up at a time convenient to them, but before 5:30 pm daily.
Fees for APAS are found on our tuition/fees page within this website.
Contact: Director of Adventure Play After School, Kelsey Langley, for questions about Adventure Play.
Sign up and billing for APAS is handled through the school office; contact Christine Wyant with questions.
Adventure Play Summer Camp
Adventure Play Summer Camp is an immersive, engaging, child- directed day camp at University Primary School. Here each child can have their own, individualized version of the "best camp ever!" where trained, adult playworkers support and respect children while prioritizing play.
Imagine a place full of interesting materials where children are in charge of their time, what they do and how they do it. Some children may want to build forts, roll tires down a hill or create elaborate costumes for theater. Other children want to run, splash in water, or create big games with lots of friends. Still others play in the mud or find a quiet place to read or open a business. Now imagine all of that happening at once under big shade trees and an open prairie!
This is Adventure Play!
Grounded in agreements of care and with a sole purpose of play, this magical camp holds space for authentic expression of self through play almost 100% outside as weather allows. Using loose parts, children transform the site daily using materials that change according to their use and imagination projected onto said material. The space is filled to the brim with play, excitement, and options for everyone.
Research shows that play is infinitely important for cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development, as well as a main form of communication for children. Knowing play is so impactful for children, trained playworkers invest lots of effort into creating welcoming environments, full of interesting materials that are ripe for all play types with children’s needs in mind. Playworkers serve as play researchers, co-regulators, mediators, building helpers, safety inspectors and caring, authentic, invested witnesses to children’s worlds as shown in their play.
Playworkers work to gently support children's play, create and hold inviting environments where kids feel freedom, permission & support to play with a foundation of felt safety. Playworkers hold a deep respect for children, belive the best in them, and prioritize their play. You won't find a daily adult-led activity at this camp--these camps are structured by the children and their play, which means each day and each week is fresh and new and customizable based on the childs' interests. Settings that piroritize time, space, and permission to play are exceedingly rare for children today, and Adventure Play at University Primary School is honored to hold space for children to be their truest selves through play.
Older Camp
(Ages 6-12, flexible)
Dates:
- Week 1: June 5-9
- Week 2: June 12-16
- Week 3: June 20-23**
- Week 4: June 26- 30
- Week 5: July 10-14
- Week 6: July 17-21
- Week 7: July 24-28
Pricing:
Full Day 8:30am - 5pm, $250
Half Day $175
AM: 8:30am -12:30pm or PM: 1pm-5pm
**Week 3 is pro-rated for Juneteenth holiday. ($200 full/ $140 half)
“Request Registration For Older Camp Here!” (available beginning at 8:00 AM 1/15/23)
*Please note, this camp is wildly popular and always fills to capacity in mere hours. Because of this, you are signing up to request enrollment and in early February we will confirm by email what weeks we are able to offer your child(ren). Thanks for your understanding!
Younger Camp
(Ages 4-6, flexible. Must be bathroom independent.)
Dates:
- Week 1: June 5-9
- Week 2: June 12-16
- Week 3: June 20-23**
- Week 4: June 26- 30
- Week 5: July 10-14
- Week 6: July 17-21
Pricing:
Half Day 8:30am - 12:30pm $175
**Week 3 is pro-rated for Juneteenth holiday. ($140)
“Request Registration For Younger Camp Here!” (available beginning at 8:00 AM 1/15/23)
*Please note, this camp is wildly popular and always fills to capacity in mere hours. Because of this, you are signing up to request enrollment and in early February we will confirm by email what weeks we are able to offer your child(ren). Thanks for your understanding!
For questions about summer camp sign up, contact Christine Wyant in our school office.
For questions about Adventure Play Camp overall, contact Kelsey Langley our summer camp director.
After School Clubs
Other after school clubs can be established by teachers, families, and/or community groups. If you have an idea for an afterschool club you would like to coordinate, please contact the School Director, Ali Lewis.