Students

Grades: Kindergarten-Sixth Grade
Teacher: Arkadiy Frenkel 
Day: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

**This program will start the week of September 23

Chess is a fun game that helps kids learn life skills: how to concentrate, recognize patterns, solve problems, think creatively, cultivate teamwork (among their pieces), execute short-term tactics, develop long-term strategies, manage time, and (most importantly!) exercise impulse control. When kids lose pieces and games because they moved their pieces impulsively, they learn to resist succumbing to the quick fix of instant gratification. When kids win pieces and games because they moved their pieces patiently, they learn to savor the enduring joy of delayed gratification.

Based on their skill level and age, players are divided into two groups that alternate between 30 minutes of lessons and 30 minutes of friendly games. Beginners are welcome!

Arkadiy Frenkel is a U.S. Chess National Master and full-time chess coach. He also has directed the Chess Camp for McDonogh Summer Camps for the last eight summers. All chess supplies are provided.

REGISTER HERE

Grades: Kindergarten-Second Grade
Teacher: SPARK Business Academy
Day: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

Do you like to shop until you drop? Join SPARK Little Shoppers to get your fill at the marketplace! Students partake in experiential bartering and purchasing to internalize key concepts about money choices, budgeting, and needs versus wants. Students analyze marketing power, put their cashier computing skills to the test, and create their own unique shops to showcase to their peers.

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Grades: Third-Fifth Grade
Teacher: Vineyard Apps
Day: Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

Have you ever wanted to play the nationally-known game Dungeons and Dragons? Stretch your imagination by telling stories with your friends and build useful creative skills? What about play the game they do in Stranger Things? Well this is your chance! In this class, we'll be exploring collaborative storytelling through Dungeons and Dragons. Along the way, we'll develop social and emotional skills that will serve us well outside of this role-playing game.

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Grades: Seventh and Eighth Grade
Teacher: Daryl Burch
Day: Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

Award-winning debate coach Daryl Burch, along with members of McDonogh's Upper School varsity debate team, will train and coach Middle School students in the skills of competitive debate. Participation in the program teaches public speaking, critical thinking, and research skills that are highly valuable in every facet of the school curriculum. Students will debate a current event controversy and prepare for a mini tournament to which all parents are invited.

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Grades: Kindergarten-Second Grade
Teacher: VAC Enrichment
Day: Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

Discover the world of baking in our beginner's baking class designed for children! Led by our experienced instructors, young bakers will explore the art of baking while fostering creativity and teamwork. Through a carefully crafted series of beginner-friendly activities, children will master the fundamentals of baking. They will enhance their skills throughout the course by participating in exciting projects like Cookie Decorating, Fudge Making, crafting Caramel Popcorn, and creating mouthwatering Caramel Apples. Students will also learn essential baking skills and safety techniques along the way. Join us for a hands-on experience where the joy of baking intertwines with the excitement of learning!

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Grades: Third-Fifth Grade
Teacher: SPARK Business Academy
Day: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

Students select a food truck theme, design menus, estimate expenses, determine prices, and develop financial projections. They will also develop a business plan with a marketing strategy, capital-raising needs, and more. This unique program offers a tasty way to develop business savvy!

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Grades: Fifth and Sixth Grade
Teacher: Daryl Burch
Day: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

The number one fear most people have is speaking in public. This class will motivate and encourage students to speak in public. Students will work on understanding speech, invoking emotion and pathos in delivering a speech, conveying appropriate tone and sentiment in the speech content, and enunciating the speech. The goals are to help students become better orators and to create interest among Middle School students for the Upper School debate program.

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Grades: Kindergarten-Eighth Grade
Teacher: Greg Kleimann
Day: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

Students will climb the high ropes tower and participate in team-building activities. Some activities include the army wall, wobbly log, spider's web, and many more. Whether you are brand new to rock climbing and ropes courses, have had some experience, or are a veteran looking to continue your progression, our rock wall and ropes courses are great options for a co-curricular activity this year! We will go through climbing and rope course safety and technique and critical thinking skills to increase success on the wall. Your confidence will grow as you foster a love for a sport you can enjoy for a lifetime!

REGISTER HERE