After School Enrichment

Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. This program focuses on individual skill, fitness, and sportsmanship, providing an opportunity for children to be challenged through fun games and team interaction. Children will also be introduced to competition in a developmentally appropriate manner.

Fun is the name of the game but Magnus Chess Academy also sneaks in a bit of critical thinking, sportsmanship, and patience into chess club! Each week students of all levels do a fun but challenging lesson with one of our great coaches from our world-class curriculum followed by practice games against other students in the class. Join the 100,000 (and counting!) kids who've learned chess with the official academy of 5x world champion Magnus Carlsen. This in-person club includes online extras like practice tournaments, Chesskid Gold membership ($49 value) and a bonus lesson with Magnus or Judit Polgar, the best female chess player ever!

This program introduces our patented Gi Grip, a unique grip strengthening training tool used for fitness and martial art forms like jiu-jitsu and judo. The Gi Grip transforms the classic tug of war game into an exciting grappling contest that emphasizes grip strength with the simple rule of "Don't let go!" Through this fun and competitive activity, children will:

• Improve grip strength, core strength, balance, and cardio fitness
• Learn numerous maneuvers like takedowns, submissions, and sweeps
• Learn sportsmanship and respect
• Enhance focus, problem-solving abilities, and perseverance
• Our program focuses on important values like kindness, respect, discipline, and being a good sport. Kids will learn moves that can help them in other sports and activities. The sessions are easy to follow and lots of fun, helping kids get fit, become more flexible, and feel confident.

Our program now includes Hapkido, a cool Korean martial art that teaches you how to defend yourself using smooth moves, turning motions, and smart control.

Hapkido uses smart moves and body positioning instead of just strength. It incorporates elements from top martial art styles such as judo, jiu-jitsu, kung fu, and taekwondo, equally emphasizing fitness and competitive techniques.

Our martial arts classes help kids focus and solve problems better, which is great for school. Join us for a fun experience that helps you stay fit, learn important life skills, and improve in school!

Earn, save, spend, donate!

Through math games and hands-on activities kids learn about these and other key financial concepts like money, budgeting and saving.

Students will also learn the basic concepts of philanthropy and donating to charity. And, everyone will make their very own piggy bank to take home!

Learn how you can start investing at a young age in this fully interactive program!

Build your own $100,000 stock portfolio and trade stocks like Apple, Nike or Amazon with a cool investing simulation tool.

This innovative experience empowers students with the tools and mindset to face future investment decisions with confidence and buy low, sell high! A solid foundation for successful future investors!

Calling all curious adventurers! The Nature Explorers Club is the perfect after-school destination for young explorers who love to be outside, discover new things, and get their hands a little dirty. Join us as we venture into the woods, explore the nearby stream, and discover all the hidden treasures nature has to offer!

Each week, we’ll embark on fun outdoor adventures like building forts, wading through streams to catch minnows, and learning about the creatures and plants that make the woods their home. Whether we’re crafting natural shelters, following animal tracks, or dipping our nets into the stream to see what we can find, the possibilities for adventure are endless.

Inspired by a student suggestion, Do Something Club is a relaxed, hands-on club where students engage in a variety of activities such as baking, building, puzzles, crafts, games, and outdoor walks. Each session focuses on doing and exploring together in a low-pressure, supportive environment. Activities emphasize creativity, cooperation, and problem-solving rather than competition or performance. This club is ideal for students who enjoy variety, hands-on learning, and being active with peers. Each week is different, and students will have the opportunity to suggest some things they would like to do!

Hands & Hearts Club invites our youngest students to explore kindness, gratitude, and care through hands-on projects. Each week, children create simple items that help others - classmates, school staff, animals, or their community - while learning that even small actions can make a big difference. Sessions will include reflection and mindfulness activities in addition to hands on opportunities for creating.

Games, fun, sports, physical activity… and some cool ‘Mathletics’ mixed in! Participants will engage in an indoor weekly contest or tournament ranging from games like cornhole, cup stacking, Metric Olympics, straw darts, ping-pong ball-ing challenges, frisbee throwing, and more. We will also have opportunities to discuss and explore the statistics, probability, and measurement concepts surrounding our results. We will be competitive with our games but focus mostly on fun and good sportsmanship. Feel free to email me with any questions!

- Adam Herb, Middle School Math Teacher and Dean of Students, former 4th and 5th grade teacher (aherb@gilman.edu)

Have you ever wondered how movies like Gumby, The Nightmare Before Christmas, or Wallace & Gromit come to life? In this awesome after-school club, we’ll dive into the world of stop-motion animation—using LEGOs! You’ll build your own characters, dream up exciting stories, design cool sets, and bring it all to life in your very own mini movie.

Get ready to think, build, create, and film like a real movie director! This club is all about imagination, teamwork, and tons of fun.

Join us for an after-school painting club led by guest instructor Joshua Turner, Class of 2026. Joshua is a passionate artist who is excited to share his love of painting with others. Students will learn directly from him as they create their own original artwork. No prior painting experience is necessary—just curiosity and a willingness to try!

Step into the past and become a history detective! In this after-school enrichment program for second through fourth graders, students will investigate real-life mysteries from history—missing artifacts, puzzling events, and questions that still make historians scratch their heads. Using maps, primary sources, hands-on activities, and lively discussions, young learners will practice asking smart questions, weighing evidence, and building theories just like real historians. Perfect for curious kids who love stories, problem-solving, and a good mystery, this program brings history to life while strengthening critical thinking and collaboration skills.

Our after-school athletic program is designed for children aged 6 to 8, providing a fun and supportive environment to develop essential life skills. This one-hour program focuses on two key areas: swimming and basic motor skills.

Swimming: Participants will build confidence in the water as they learn fundamental swimming techniques, safety awareness, and the joy of aquatic activities.

Motor Skills: Through engaging activities and games, children will improve their coordination, balance, agility, and overall physical literacy.

Led by experienced instructors, this program aims to foster a love for movement and water, laying the foundation for a lifetime of active living.

Capture magic through a lens in a photography club, led by Mr. C – Gilman's own LS teacher and experienced global photographer. Designed for 1st to 4th graders, this enriching experience will include lots of photo walks around our beautiful campus, the basics of composition, real film projects, and photo appreciation. The price of the class includes the required $65 camera which your child gets to keep! Unleash creativity, become an explorer, and watch imaginations develop frame by frame–join us and snap away!

A music, movement, and games class that is entirely focused on joyful, collaborative, music-making fun! Kids will enjoy uniquely designed activities, non-overlapping with their classroom music curriculum, that develop joy and our natural love of music.

Dive into the ultimate playground for imagination and innovation in "Creative Constructors"! This dynamic class invites young creators to explore and master a variety of building techniques using an exciting assortment of toys and materials. From classic LEGO bricks to magnetic tiles and foam shapes, kids will engage in hands-on activities that foster problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking. Each session features new challenges and themes that inspire them to construct, experiment, and bring their wildest ideas to life. Get ready to build, create, and let your imagination soar in this hands-on adventure!

Strategy and Games is a fun, engaging way for young learners to build confidence through play! Students will be introduced to new and exciting games that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, while also learning how to develop simple strategies and try different approaches. Each session balances guided instruction with opportunities to practice skills and includes free-choice game time so children can explore their interests, make choices, and play with friends in a supportive environment. It’s the perfect mix of learning, creativity, and fun to end the school day on a high note.

Welcome to our After-School Book Club! Each week, young readers gather after school to dive into the magical world of stories through reading, writing, and creativity.

Our club is designed to foster a love for books in a joyful, supportive environment. We begin each session with a read-aloud of a carefully chosen book—ranging from classic picture books to exciting new titles—followed by a lively group discussion that builds comprehension and critical thinking skills.

After reading, students participate in a variety of engaging activities:

Writing: Children are encouraged to respond to the story through writing prompts, character diaries, or short creative stories of their own.

Comprehension Games: Fun and interactive games help reinforce vocabulary, sequencing, and main idea recognition.

Art Projects: Every week includes a hands-on craft or art project inspired by the book. From making story maps to creating character puppets or diorama scenes, these activities help bring the stories to life.

The Book Club not only enhances literacy skills but also builds confidence, collaboration, and imagination. Whether they're painting a story setting or acting out a favorite scene, our young book lovers are always learning and having fun!

Get ready for after-school fun with our Flag Football Enrichment Program for 2nd–4th graders! This high-energy, age-appropriate program introduces kids to the fundamentals of flag football through games, drills, and friendly scrimmages that build confidence, coordination, and teamwork. With an emphasis on sportsmanship, safety, and having a blast, students of all experience levels are welcome—no prior football experience needed. It’s the perfect way for kids to stay active, make new friends, and burn off energy while learning valuable skills in a supportive, positive environment. 🏈✨

Registration fees are non-refundable. Cancellations on or after the date two weeks prior to the program start date will not be refunded or prorated. The enrolled number of days expires each week; they do not roll into the following week. Unused days will not be refunded or prorated.

Students who are not picked up promptly at their enrichment club's end time will be dropped into the After School Program (ASP) at the flat drop-in rate.

Students who attend ASP must abide by the rules and regulations outlined in the Gilman Student & Parent Handbook for student conduct and behavior. Students must also continue to strive to be honorable and to exhibit the Gilman Five. If a student exhibits a pattern of not displaying appropriate conduct and behavior, the School reserves the right to dismiss the student from the program.