Homeschool Program Electives

Join Us for the Homeschool Family Overnight Camp at Camp Elk!

Gather your family or co-op for an unforgettable adventure in the great outdoors at YMCA Camp ELK! From May 16th to May 18th, immerse yourselves in nature, community, and hands-on fun during this exciting 3-day, 2-night camp experience. Whether you’re a homeschooling family or part of a larger co-op, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

What’s Included:

• Activities: Dive into a world of exploration and creativity with science experiments, arts and crafts, archery, rock climbing, and specialty programs tailored for all ages and abilities.
• Evening Fun: Share stories and laughter around the campfire while roasting marshmallows for delicious s’mores.
• Accommodations: Cozy cabins to suit your family or co-op group.
• Meals: Five hearty meals prepared with care to fuel your adventure.

Details:

• Who Can Attend: Homeschool families and co-op groups.
• Cost: Includes all activities, lodging, and meals.  Individual homeschool families can register, or co-ops can book a full cabin for their group.

Early Bird Registration Now until March 31st. $200 per person or $2400 per cabin (12 beds)

Regular Registration April 1st- May 9th  $250 per person or $3000 per cabin (12 beds)

Children under 3 are free if they co-sleep with a parent. 

• Location: YMCA Camp ELK, nestled in the scenic beauty of Wrightwood, CA. Explore the incredible amenities at www.campelk.org.

This is more than just a camp—it’s an opportunity to connect with other homeschool families, build lasting memories, and be part of an amazing community. Whether you’re climbing the rock wall, trying your hand at archery, or simply enjoying the fresh mountain air, you’ll leave with a sense of accomplishment, joy, and newfound friendships.

Reserve Your Spot Today! Space is limited, so don’t wait to secure your cabin. Call us at (714) 681-4815 or email [email protected] to register.

We can’t wait to see you at YMCA Camp ELK for a weekend of family fun, adventure, and connection!

These events will vary each month and will provide fun and engaging activities that encourage participation. Our experienced staff build on social emotional skill and implement themed activities in  various areas such as, but not limited to: engineering, cooking, art and games!

Homeschool Socials at the YMCA provide opportunities for children to socialize with other children and make friends in a safe and supervised environment!  Homeschool Socials are a 2 hour drop off, one day event (parents do not attend). 

Meet ups are essential to family connections and relationships within the homeschool community. Some meet ups are free and others are events and trips that we can come together as a community to build bonds and strengthen our connections within our circles. Homeschool Meet Ups are a 2 hour event, where the whole family is invited! 

Parent Advisory Committee: PAC meets once a quarter! This platform is a great way to connect with other parents like you! Help guide the Homeschool Electives and Support Programs to fit the needs of the community, and share academic advice and support with each other. RSVP as lunch AND childcare is provided!

Park Days and Field Trips: Family outings! We are building a community! Group Rates and Socialization for children AND families!

Email [email protected] with questions regarding any classes below. 

 YMCA Homeschool Camp Week: Nature & Creativity:
10AM–12PM  (Optional Lunch Bunch-Extended Care)

This one-week drop-off homeschool camp is the perfect way to dive into summer! Campers will explore the great outdoors through hands-on nature-based experiences that spark creativity, curiosity, and connection.
We’re offering two enriching tracks based on age:

Nature & Art Exploration (Ages 5–7):
Young explorers will use natural materials to create beautiful art projects while learning about the world around them through guided play and discovery.

Nature & Photography (Ages 7+):
Older campers will dive into beginner photography skills, capturing the beauty of nature through their lens. Daily walks, composition lessons, and creative photo challenges will inspire artistic expression.

Service Learning (Ages 5-12):
In this unique week-long camp, students will explore what it means to be active, compassionate members of their community. Through hands-on projects, team challenges, and reflection activities, campers will build leadership, empathy, and teamwork skills—while giving back in meaningful ways. A powerful blend of character building and fun!

Camp Fee: $120 per child
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Optional Lunch Bunch (Extended Care):
From 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM, campers can stay for a relaxed social hour with crafts, games, and enrichment activities.
Add-on Fee: $50 for the week

Spaces are limited—secure your child’s spot today!

Meet the Teacher: Open House & Mock Class Day

Mission Viejo Family YMCA July 31st | 10:00am- 12:00pm
Maple Center (Fullerton) August 14 | 10:00am- 12:00pm

Curious about our Homeschool Electives? Come meet the teachers, explore our classrooms, and get a feel for our program with sample mini-lessons and hands-on activities. Families can ask questions, meet other homeschoolers, and see if our drop-off classes are the right fit. A great way to start the year with confidence and community!

Summer Park Day Series – Drop-In Fun for Homeschool Families!

Join us for our free summer Park Day Series, where families come together for themed activities, playtime, and community connection! These are not drop-off events—parents must remain onsite.

MAPLE CENTER: 701 S Lemon Park
All park days are 10:00 AM–12:00 PM.

• June 11 – Art in the Park: Explore your creativity with nature-based art and collaborative outdoor projects.

• July 2 – Science in the Park: Fun, hands-on science experiments using everyday items!

• July 16 – Water Relay in the Park: Cool off with exciting water games and relay challenges. Dress to get wet!

• July 30 – Art in the Park (Part 2): More creative fun with a fresh set of artistic activities

Bring water, sunscreen, and your creative energy!

Summer Field Trips – Explore with Us!

Join our homeschool community for unforgettable adventures! Families must register in advance. These events are open to all homeschool families, even if you’re not enrolled in YMCA classes.

• June 18 – River Street Ranch & Train Ride: Visit a working ranch and meet farm animals, then take an optional train ride to the location or meet us there.

• July 9 – Tanaka Farms Tour: Learn about sustainable farming, sample fresh produce, and enjoy the beautiful fields of Irvine.

• July 23 – Horses & Friends (Fullerton): A hands-on educational visit where kids learn about horse care and connect with friendly animals. Feeding the horses- then a lunch Social!

• Doheny Beach Days: 6/20, 7/16, 8/22: Let’s soak up the sun!! Register for Group updates. Families may plan for group lunch, drinks, where to meet- sign up so we can contact you with more info!

BONUS: Movies in the Park Series – Coming Soon!
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and join us for family movie nights under the stars! Dates and films will be announced soon.

Mission Viejo Electives: 13-Week Session

Join us for an exciting 13-week FALL session at Mission Viejo, where students can immerse themselves in a dynamic and engaging learning experience. Our electives are designed for students who thrive in a flexible, interest-based, and student-led environment.

Spring 2025 Schedule Options

Families can choose from various scheduling options to fit their needs:

– Half Day AM: Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:45 PM

– Half Day PM: 10:45 AM – 1:45 PM (Friday 10:15 AM- 1:45 PM)

– Full Day: 9:00 AM – 1:45 PM

– Individual Class

Class Schedule

Mondays:

• Science: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
• SNACK 10:30 AM- 10:45
• Magazines & Publishing (ELA): 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
• SEL Lunch Social: 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
• Twisted Stitches: 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM

Fridays:

• Digital Literacy: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
• SNACK 10:00 AM- 10:15
• Kulinary Kids (Cooking): 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
• SEL Lunch Social: 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
• Elective Sampler: 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM

Refer to the Homeschool Electives & Support Programs Session Calendar for Closure and Holiday Dates. 

Special Features and Enrollment Benefits:

Interest-Based and Student-Led: Our curriculum is evolving and tailored to student interests, ensuring engaging and relevant learning experiences.

Life Skills for Everyday Use: Skills are taught in ways that excite young adults, preparing them to apply what they learn to real-life situations.

Discounted Prices: Our elective classes are offered at reduced rates to make quality education accessible.

Flexible Enrollment: While month-to-month options may be limited based on interest and seat availability, our structured 13-week sessions provide consistency and depth in learning.

Small Class Sizes: To maintain an engaging and interactive environment, we require a minimum of three students per class. If this minimum is not met, the session may be at risk of cancellation.

Culminating Event: Each 13-week session concludes with a special event for the entire family, showcasing the students’ achievements.

Family Field Trip: Enroll in any 13-week session and take part in our Family Field Trip on May 7th! One student and one parent can attend for free, with additional tickets available for purchase. Save the date!

How to Register:

• In-Person Registration Required for CHARTER FUNDS: Please visit the YMCA in person to register for this class. If you are utilizing Charter Funds, registration must be completed with an approved purchase order in hand prior to the first day of class.
  
• Registration Opening Date: December 10, 2024

Priority Registration goes to students who sign up for the full 13-week session. Month to Month Registration open on December 17th for any remaining seats. 

• Where to Register: Registrations are taken at the YMCA Mission Viejo front desk during regular business hours or ONLINE for out-of-pocket purchases.
• No Refunds: Once your child attends a session, the program fee is non-refundable.
• No Prorating: We do not prorate fees for missed classes or accommodate refunds for last-minute schedule changes. Fees are based off of the calendar year, not the number of meetings per month. 

For any further inquiries or assistance, feel free to contact our support staff at 714.508.7610 or [email protected].

Join us this fall to embark on a journey of discovery, creativity, and hands-on learning. Secure your spot today and be part of a vibrant community of young learners in Mission Viejo!

Mission Viejo Homeschool Electives for Teens

Welcome to our Homeschool Electives at Mission Viejo! Designed for students ages 12-16 (grades 5-10), these self guilded teen classes offer a flexible, supportive environment for teens to explore their interests and develop new skills.

We understand that maturity and skill levels vary, so we offer age waivers to ensure every student finds the right fit.

Spring 2025 Schedule

Our 13-week sessions provide a comprehensive and enriching experience, with classes meeting the following days and times:

Magazine & Publishing: Mondays, 2:30-3:45 PM
Business for Beginners & Entrepreneurship: Tuesdays, 2:30-3:45 PM
Creative Hearts (Cricut Crafting and Digital Art): Thursdays, 2:30-3:45 PM
Twisted Stitches (Sewing, Crocheting, Embroidering, and more!): Fridays, 2:30-3:45 PM

Refer to the Homeschool Electives & Support Programs Session Calendar for Closure and Holiday Dates. 

Special Features:

Interest-Based and Student-Led: Our classes are designed to be driven by students’ interests, ensuring that learning is engaging and relevant to their passions.

Life Skills for Everyday Use: Skills are taught in ways that excite young adults, preparing them to apply what they learn to real-life situations.

Discounted Prices: Our teen classes are offered at reduced rates for the full session to make quality education accessible.

Flexible Enrollment: While month-to-month options may be limited based on interest and seat availability, our structured 13-week sessions provide consistency and depth in learning.

Small Class Sizes: To maintain an engaging and interactive environment, we require a minimum of three students per class. If this minimum is not met, the session may be at risk of cancellation.

How to Register:

• In-Person Registration Required for CHARTER FUNDS: Please visit the YMCA in person to register for this class. If you are utilizing Charter Funds, registration must be completed with an approved purchase order in hand prior to the first day of class.
  
• Registration Opening Date: December 10th, 2024

Priority Registration goes to students who sign up for the full 13-week session. Month to Month Registration open on December 17th for any remaining seats. 

• Where to Register: Registrations are taken at the YMCA Mission Viejo front desk during regular business hours or ONLINE for out-of-pocket purchase.

No Refunds: Once your child attends a session, the program fee is non-refundable.

No Prorating: We do not prorate fees for missed classes or accommodate refunds for last-minute schedule changes. Fees are based off of the calendar year, not the number of meetings per month. 

For any further inquiries or assistance, feel free to contact our support staff at 714.508.7610 or [email protected].

Join us this fall to embark on a journey of creativity, practical skills, and artistic expression. Secure your spot today and be part of a vibrant community of young learners in Mission Viejo!