July 2026: VTO's 7th Annual Summer Program
Updated: Jul 25
Calling all VTO Families!
We are excited to announce that our 7th Annual Summer Program will run from Monday, July 27th, to Sunday, August 16th.
This year, we are proud to offer 20+ amazing class series and workshops! This year also brings more variety than ever, with content ranging from crochet to cryptography. We hope that all students will find an area that piques their interest.
Students and families are invited to review the class summaries provided below. All classes are free of cost and will be hosted via Zoom.
1. Brush and Bloom: Calligraphy First Strokes
Class Overview: Students will be introduced to modern calligraphy, learning how to balance movement and attention to detail to create their own works of art.
Recommended Grade Level: 1-3
Class Schedule: 2-4 PM PDT on 7/27 and 7/29
2. Future Beethoven (Flute)
Class Overview: Students will be introduced to basic music theory before learning the fundamentals of flute playing. Positioning, first notes, and potential vibrato and double tongue techniques will be taught. Students will benefit from having a flute in their possession.
Recommended Grade Level: 1-5
Class Schedule: 1-2 PM PDT on 8/4 (Tuesday) and 8/6 (Thursday).
3. Intro to Environmental Science
Class Overview: Students will explore topics related to ecology, such as ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as the effects of pollutants, other environmental consequences, and actionable steps.
Recommended Grade Level: 3-5
Class Schedule: 2-4 PM PDT on 8/4
4. Discover Robotics!: Intro to FIRST Lego League
Class Overview: Students will be introduced to First Lego League/FLL (Challenge), covering both hardware and software elements of basic robotics included in the FLL initiative. Students will also work to create a mock innovation project, an important part of the formal competition.
Recommended Grade Level: 3-6
Class Schedule: 2-4 PM PDT on 8/7 (Friday)
5. Crack the Code!
Class Overview: Students will be introduced to a variety of elementary and advanced ciphers, as well as techniques for solving them.
Recommended Grade Level: 3-8
Class Schedule: 10 AM-12 PM PDT on 7/31
6. Train Your Brain, It's Game Time: Rising Stars
Class Overview: This exploratory math class will fully adapt to students' needs and address any math topics that challenge students.
Recommended Grade Level: 4-5
Class Schedule: 9-10 AM PDT on 7/30 and 7/31
7. The Magic Within Paper
Class Overview: This introductory origami class will cover both basic and intermediate folds and creations. While double-sided (duo) origami paper is preferred, standard printer paper is also suitable.
Recommended Grade Level: 4-5
Class Schedule: 3-5 PM PDT on 8/11, 8/12, 8/13, 8/14, 8/15, and 8/16
8. Brush and Bloom: Calligraphy in Full Bloom
Class Overview: This intermediate calligraphy class will guide students through more intricate and precision-based calligraphy. It is recommended to purchase a black Tombow Brush Pen.
Recommended Grade Level: 4-6
Class Schedule: 2-4 PM PDT on 8/1 and 8/2
9. Melody Masters: Music Theory and Composition
Class Overview: Students will be introduced to basic music theory and composition creation. Students should create an account on Noteflight (noteflight.com) and have access to the Chrome Music Lab website before this class starts. Prior experience is recommended, but not required.
Recommended Grade Level: 4-6
Class Schedule: 10-11 AM PDT on 8/3, 8/4, and 8/5
10. Crochet Masters
Class Overview: This class will introduce students to crochet- navigating the yarn and hook, starting a project, using basic patterns, changing yarn color, and wrapping up a project.
Recommended Grade Level: 4-10
Class Schedule: 2-4 PM PDT on 8/6
11. Observing The World Around You
Class Overview: This introductory writing class, grounded in recording observation, will guide students through crafting vivid descriptions and including advanced sensory detail in their written work.
Recommended Grade Level: 5-6
Class Schedule: 9-10 AM PDT on 8/6 and 8/7
12. Data Detectives: Intro to Statistics
Class Overview: This class introduces basic statistical concepts such as averages, graphs, probability, and interpreting data through interactive games and real-world examples, such as sports and social media.
Recommended Grade Level: 5-7
Class Schedule: 4-5 PM PDT on 7/27, 7/29, and 8/1. Schedule changes to 3-4 PM PDT on 8/3, 8/5, and 8/8. There are 6 sessions in total
13. Learn to be the Most Persuasive in the Room: Intro to Debate
Class Overview: Students will be introduced to the Canadian National Debate Format, learning strategies to improve confidence in public speaking, and quickly outline arguments. Students will have time to work and prepare during the workshop and receive feedback on their performances.
Recommended Grade Level: 5-7
Class Schedule: 5-6 PM PDT on 7/27, 7/29, 7/31, 8/3, 8/5, 8/7, 8/10, 8/12, and 8/14
14. Break Your Piggy Bank - Let's Invest!
Class Overview: This financial literacy class will cover topics such as budgeting, credit, debit, stocks, bonds, reserve banking, ETFs, index funds, and more. The workshop will maintain a focus on personal finance and the power of compound interest. Students will apply their knowledge to a stock market simulation at the end of the class.
Recommended Grade Level: 5-8
Class Schedule: 2-3 PM PDT on 7/30 and 7/31
15. Mandarin for Everyday Adventures!
Class Overview: Students will learn basic Mandarin- practice greetings, polite expressions, numbers, and colors, among other areas. By the end of the course, students will be able to have simple everyday conversations.
Recommended Grade Level: 5-8
Class Schedule: 5-6 PM PDT on 8/8
16. The Magic of Mehendi: Intro to the Ancient Art of Henna
Class Overview: Students will learn about the history and art behind the ancient tradition of Mehendi, then design and apply their own patterns.
Recommended Grade Level: 6-8
Class Schedule: 1-2 PM PDT on 7/29, 7/31, 8/3, 8/5, and 8/7
17. Think Like a Detective: Solve XYZ Puzzles!
Class Overview: Students will work together to learn and solve various algebra-based problems in the form of puzzles, games, and real-life challenges.
Recommended Grade Level: 6-8
Class Schedule: 3-5 PM PDT on 7/31
18. Alive! The Secret World Inside Every Living Thing: Intro to Biology
Class Overview: This class is an introduction to biology designed to spark curiosity about the living world. We'll explore the big questions kids naturally wonder about: What makes something alive? Why do plants need sunlight? How does your body turn food into energy? Over our sessions, students will learn foundational concepts including cells (the building blocks of life), plants and photosynthesis, the human body and its systems, animals and their habitats, and ecosystems and food chains. The class is hands-on and exploration-based, using simple at-home experiments, drawings, and observation activities rather than lectures. The goal is to help students see science as something they can discover for themselves, and to leave the class excited to keep asking "why?" and "how?" about the world around them.
Recommended Grade Level: 6-8
Class Schedule: 4-5 PM PDT on 8/2, 8/3, 8/4, 8/5, 8/6, 8/7, 8/8, and 8/9
19. Spy Skills: Ciphers and Strategy
Class Overview: This class will cover concepts from cryptography and game theory. Students will learn to encrypt and decrypt ciphers and understand select puzzles. Students will need access to Google Classroom during this course.
Recommended Grade Level: 6-8
Class Schedule: 11 AM-12 PM PDT on 8/3, 8/4, 8/5, 8/6, and 8/7
20. Train Your Brain, It's Game Time: All-Stars
Class Overview: Geared towards older students, this class will focus on math topics that challenge students and develop new learning tools to make them approachable.
Recommended Grade Level: 6-8
Class Schedule: 10-11 AM PDT on 8/6 and 8/7
21. The Psychology of Memory
Class Overview: This class will cover the biological and psychological basis of memory. Students will also learn several long-term and short-term retention and memorization techniques.
Recommended Grade Level: 7-9
Class Schedule: 5-6 PM PDT on 8/4 and 8/6
22. Intro to High School Math
Class Overview: This workshop will cover key math concepts to prepare rising high school freshmen for more advanced classes.
Recommended Grade Level: 8
Class Schedule: 1-2 PM PDT on 7/27, 7/28, and 7/30
23. Rising Leaders: Learn to Lead the World
Class Overview: This class will teach the fundamentals of effective leadership through interactive activities and discussions.
Recommended Grade Level: 5-8
Class Schedule: 2-3 PM PDT on 7/28, 1-2 PM PDT on 8/1, 8/8, and 8/9
24. Brain Power: Learn How Your Mind Works (and How to Make it Stronger!)
Class Overview: This class will cover the functions of parts of the brain, exploring thinking, memory, emotions, and decision making.
Recommended Grade Level: 2-5
Class Schedule: 5-6 PM PDT 8/11, 8/13
To sign up, please complete our registration form by Sunday, July 26th. We look forward to an exciting summer program!
Until next time!
VTO Leadership Team
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