CO-OP - Middle School Enrichment Mini-Series - Class A & B- Fall Registration - 2025-2026

Registration Opens May 13, 2025

Co-op enrollment is a fantastic way to actively participate in the co-op class and receive a 17% discount off the cost of both season sessions (fall A & B).

Enrolling at this discounted rate requires a commitment from the family to provide an adult caregiver as a volunteer teacher’s aide for one of the six class sessions in the season. If your family is unable to commit to fulfilling the volunteer teaching assignment, please sign up for the individual fall mini-series instead.

Further notes regarding important information about co-op involvement below:                                                             

• Each co-op registration entails a three-hour (1:00 PM to 4:00 PM), one-class commitment as a volunteer teaching aide by an adult caregiver of the enrolled child. You may enroll more than one child in the co-op, but please note that you will be expected to volunteer for one class, per season, per child.

• Please do not enroll more than one child in the co-op if you cannot fulfill the attendant additional class volunteer obligation; you may, however, enroll additional children in the non-co-op option and still be eligible for the sibling discount.

• The Middle School Enrichment classes involve extensive outdoor time; as a volunteer you will need to be comfortable with standing and hiking (up to two miles), with a backpack, in all types of weather and temperatures, for extended periods of time.                                                                           

• Co-op volunteers will be fully occupied in their teacher assisting duties. Due to the nature of these duties, we cannot allow non-registered siblings/other children to be present during your designated volunteer co-op class time.                                                                          

• Date selection and notification for your volunteer class assignment will be completed after the registration opening date of May 13^th. Please look for a follow up email to select your preferred co-op class date in which to volunteer.  We will do our best to honor requests; but Irvine retains the right to schedule volunteer commitments as they are needed for safety and best class practices.         

• If, after reading these expectations, you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Stephanie Holzman at HolzmanS@ExploreNature.org before registering.                                                                                                 

Fall Class A - Water Wise: Drop by Drop: This exciting series will blend science, watershed and environmental awareness, and advocacy! We’ll conduct hands-on activities like building a mini watershed replica and tracing local water sources- starting at Irvine’s own headwater stream right on property as it flows to join the Jones Falls River. Exploring our personal and community water-use footprint(s) will empower us to think about real-world water conservation issues.

Fall Class B - Chesapeake Wildlife Guardians: Become passionate steward of turtles, frogs, ravens, and owls in the Chesapeake Bay region. Through observation and care of our animal ambassadors, on-trail habitat exploration, and advocacy training, students will gain skills to protect and preserve these incredible species. A guest expert speaker will inspire students and empower them to turn knowledge into creative team-based action.

Ages: 11 to 14 years old (Must be 11 years old by the first day of class in fall 2025 and may turn 14 during the duration of the class.)

Times: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Fall Classes A and B: 6 total weeks - Tuesdays - September 30 to October 14 and November 4 to November 18

Contingency Day (to be used if Irvine cancels class): October 21 and December 2

        Price: $182.60 ( includes a 17% co-op discount) - Additional 10% discount for Pacesetter ($100.00 cost) & Teacher ($40.00 cost) membership levels

All Earth Friends Homeschool families are eligible for the Teacher membership--see information below.