Summit North
(Wednesdays in Olympia/Lacey)
Program Descriptions
Choose a program below for full class details
Chelsea Grunenfelder
Basecamp and Traverse Director
Phone:
E-Mail: grunenfelder.director@gmail.com
Summit North Campus Olympia/Lacey, WA
Address:
Date of Birth:
Basecamp Program
Director: Chelsea Grunenfelder
(Summit North 8:30 am -12:10 pm)
Basecamp students are grades K-3rd and rotate through four class sessions each week: Claritas memory work, science labs, historically-themed art projects, and PE. Presentation skills will be introduced in our art and PE classes and be integrated throughout the program, allowing each student multiple opportunities throughout the year to give presentations.
To benefit from the academic overview that Basecamp provides, parents will need to reinforce and augment reading, writing, spelling and math with additional resources at home.
Basecamp Program Subjects
Claritas Memory Work
Students will acquire grammar memory pegs (or facts to memorize) in nine subject areas, including history, math, science, Latin, English grammar, Scripture, geography, hymns and timeline. Cycle 1 of Claritas Memory Work gives students a rich foundation across the classical disciplines while anchoring their learning in Scripture and song. Throughout the year, students explore Ancient History from early civilizations to the Fall of Rome, practice essential math skills such as skip counting, operations, and geometry formulas, and study Biology through taxonomy, plants, animals, and the human body. Latin memory work builds familiarity with verb factors, noun declensions, and esse in all tenses, while English Grammar covers the parts of speech, sentence structure, and deeper study of nouns. Students also memorize key Scripture passages, learn world and ancient geography, and enjoy classic hymns that shape their understanding and worship. The goal is to cultivate a broad, joyful mastery of foundational knowledge that students will draw on for years to come.
Hands-On Science Labs
In lab class, we will investigate life science with hands-on experiences, demonstrations and activities. Some topics covered include characteristics and classification of living things, parts of plant and animal cells, all about plants, all about animals, the human body and more! See the Cycle 1guide for our full year of science topics.
Historical Art Projects and Presentations
Students will learn the basics of drawing, painting, and creative artwork with historically-themed art instruction. We will focus on art projects that reflect Ancient History or an artist from that time. There will be hands-on projects like pottery painting and clay sculptures. We hope to build our children's confidence in creativity and inspire perspective as they learn history at home. While families read about each topic at home using the history curriculum of their choice, we will reinforce the time period through art projects in class.
Once each quarter, students will have the opportunity to give a 2-3 minute presentation on a suggested topic, however if there is something else they are passionate about and would like to present on we encourage them to do so. A calendar of our historical art projects, science labs and presentation dates will be provided.
PE
In Physical Education, students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade will take part in a wide variety of fun, active learning experiences that help them build confidence and healthy habits. They will practice fundamental motor skills such as running, jumping, skipping, throwing, and catching, while also exploring cooperative games that encourage teamwork, communication, and good sportsmanship. Students will learn simple fitness routines, participate in movement activities set to music, and try age‑appropriate challenges that develop balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. Throughout the year, the focus is on staying active, having fun, and learning how to make safe, healthy choices during play.
Basecamp Required Resources
Basecamp Required Resources
Memory Work
CrossSeven.org subscription and
Claritas Cycle 1 Map Booklet
https://claritaspublishing.com/products/cycle-1-map
Or
Claritas Cycle 1 Memory Work Guide
https://claritaspublishing.com/products/claritas-cycle-1-memory-work-guide
Claritas Publishing
Supplemental Cycle 1 materials are available online
https://claritaspublishing.com/collections/all-products/cycle1
Basecamp Suggested Resources for At Home
History
The Story of the World, Vol. 1: Ancient Times (revised edition) By Susan Wise Bauer
OR
Audio CD
https://welltrainedmind.com/p/story-of-the-world-vol-1-ancient-times-revised-edition-audiobook/
Additional Resources
Consider these options for 8-year-olds planning to enter the Traverse program the following year:
-
An introduction to the IEW Structure and Style Writing Method is highly recommended as preparation for Traverse
-
Claritas History Memory Work Cycle 1 by Outward Light | TPT
-
Other supplemental materials from Claritas Publishing:
-
Handwriting Sheets, flash cards, audio options, timeline cards
-
-
Memorization of the English grammar portion of Cycle 1
-
Cross Seven subscription is recommended with the use of quizzes
-
Math and Science curricula that follow the focus of Cycle 1
