Tarp tent with bushcraft items at campsite
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Open to:
6, 7, 8
Cost:
$290

This course will introduce students to basic bushcraft, outdoor leadership, survival principles, and backpacking. Please review Special Considerations before selecting!

Making Dumplings
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Open to:
5, 6, 7, 8
Cost:
$450

Students will immerse themselves in authentic Chinese culture through a dynamic program featuring hands-on activities and enlightening field trips. This experience will offer a blend of traditional Chinese heritage and contemporary culture in a vibrant and interactive manner. Attendees will engage in a Kungfu Tea ceremony, cooking sessions, calligraphy workshops, Chinese brush painting, arts and crafts, as well as Kung Fu/Taiji sessions.

Showing off our projects
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Open to:
5, 6, 7, 8
Cost:
$400

If you like creative projects and like working with your hands then join us and learn to SEW BEAUTIFULLY! Learning to sew is a valuable skill that will serve you well, and it's fun to create projects for your family, friends and home.

Elizabethan Theater, Ashland
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$1225

Calling all who love theater, inside and out! The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is NOT just Shakespeare! This spring, students will see four plays at the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and one musical at the Oregon Cabaret Theater – all in the lovely town of Ashland, Oregon. We will attend workshops with actors from the company, a series of prologues for each play designed to inform and enhance the experience, a design workshop around sets, costuming, lighting, and sound, and a multi-media backstage tour.

Behind the Music
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$200

Behind the Music allows the curious music lover, the curious musician, or the just plain curious person to experience a bit of the behind-the-curtain magic of the music and entertainment industry.  Our project will explore the working lives of  professional musicians--how they get their music recorded; how they find and maintain an audience; how they get their careers managed and promoted; how live performances are created and managed; and how music creates business opportunities well beyond the musician's creative life.  

This Overlake-built house is now part of the New Hope Village on Aurora Ave.
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$300

Students on this project will build a Tiny Home in conjunction with the Low Income Housing Institute https://lihi.org/.  Following their design, we will receive the materials and construct the house which we will then donate to LIHI.  LIHI will then pick up the completed house and install it in one of their low income Tiny House communities.  This project is an opportunity not only to learn about building and carpentry, but also will provide some needed help to low income or homeless individuals or families.   

Ceramics Hand-Building , Fun with Clay!
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$200

Ceramic clay is a great medium for creating utilitarian objects, as well as, sculptural works of art. We will learn and explore various hand-building techniques. We will have studio time to create and possibly one day dedicated to visiting working ceramic art studios. We will be making a few pieces to sell at a fundraiser to support non-profit, ASNW (Art Start Northwest) which funds the arts in public schools. No previous experience is necessary. Come with your ideas or be inspired by others. Final pieces will be fired and available for pick-up sometime after spring break.

teacher and students
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Open to:
11, 12
Cost:
$2350

Change Makers Week is a dynamic and inspiring project dedicated to sparking positive potential of aspiring philanthropists. We will be traveling to Southern California to work with the non-profit organization, Active Discovery, in supporting financially vulnerable kids to flourish through active discovery of the things they love. This immersive experience is designed to empower participants with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to become change agents in their own right.

Two kayakers paddle through a kelp forest
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$1800

Experience the stunning beauty of Channel Islands National Park for a week of camping, sea kayaking, hiking and community building! Often called "the North American Galápagos," the Channel Islands are a precious, protected, remote, and lightly trafficked gem just 12 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara.

Silks and Hoops
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Open to:
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$450

Ever been to the circus and wondered how they learn to do their breathtaking acts? Ever wanted to to challenge yourself to be brave and try something you've never tried before?  Then Circus Week is for you!

This project week will challenge your courage and creativity as you learn how to do a range of circus arts: silks, lyra, hoop, juggling, acrobatics, trampoline, and possibly even flying trapeze!  We will be taught by the experts at SANCA: School of Acrobats and New Circus Arts in Seattle.   

A student prepares science kits for a class.
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Open to:
11, 12
Cost:
$15

This week provides an opportunity to work with elementary school children and their teachers at John Muir Elementary School, a diverse Title I public school in Kirkland and another partner school to be determined (most likely Redmond Elementary).

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Open to:
5, 6, 7, 8
Cost:
$260

Creative Paper provides an opportunity to use your ideas and learn how to use paper to make a project that will beautify your room, become a beautiful gift, or help you use your creativity to make something interesting to show or share.  Paper is very versatile, and paper can be anything from thin sheer paper, to rough carboard paper.  Projects can be endlessly creative, from a collage of interesting paper combinations, to a beautiful box you can use to put all your special treasures.  You can make a beautiful scrapbook full of memories and your own creations or some other paper sculpture o

A crocheted hat
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Open to:
7, 8, 9, 10
Cost:
$70

Students will learn basic crochet stitches, techniques, and pattern-reading in order to crochet hats. We will donate everything we create to Seattle Children's Hospital and/or a shelter for those experiencing homelessness. If possible, we will drop off our donations in person. Students can use the skills they develop to continue creating with yarn!

students jumping at the dunes
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$1300

Death Valley Rocks! explores the extreme landscapes of the hottest place in the world. Also known for being the driest and lowest place in the continental U.S., Death Valley National Park offers amazing, austere and beautiful scenery. This trip will test your limits through hiking and backpacking explorations into the canyons, up the peaks and across the vast salt flats that make up the park. Love the rainforests of Western Washington and want to experience the other extreme? This trip is for you! Want to get out of the winter rains and dry off in the desert? Death Valley is calling!

This awesome trip will guarantee you an increase in outdoor education and experience, improve your knowledge of our planet's environmental diversity, better your understanding of teamwork and group dynamics and push your limits both physically and mentally. Are you up to the challenge?

Strap on your hiking boots, rub in the sunscreen, cinch your pack straps and check the map, Death Valley Rocks!

Rafting the Deschutes
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Open to:
7, 8
Cost:
$1380

Spend a week in the wilderness of eastern Oregon on the Deschutes River! White-water rafting, and hiking, as you make your way down the river, students will work together to meet the challenges of this course designed especially for our students.

Hawai'i Planting Taro fields 2023
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$2075

Explore the Island of Oahu through native Hawaiian landscapes, ecology, service, and hiking. Students will reflect on the human impact on local ecological systems and will hear directly from native Hawaiians working in the fields of Oahu. Our activities will be experiential in nature and students will not only learn about the ecology, but will also participate in restoration projects and make an impact on the future sustainability of agriculture on Oahu.

Escape room
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$315

We will work on honing our cooperative puzzle solving skills with a series of escape room experiences, puzzles, and games. We will be visiting escape rooms around the East Side to hone our teamwork and problem solving abilities. Escape rooms are a fantastic way to learn to think laterally, work as a team, and experience some of the coolest, most immersive games ever designed! We will also try some escape-rooms-in-a-box (including one that brings us into downtown Redmond and incorporates local history) and other cooperative puzzles and games.

Hiking through Utah
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$1742

This adventure will explore two National Parks in Utah: Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Students will camp in the National Parks campgrounds and spend each day hiking throughout the parks. Students will learn about the desert environment and experience beautiful scenery.

Sound wave
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Open to:
5, 6, 7, 8
Cost:
$25

Have you ever noticed some of the sounds around you at home, outside, or in a forest? Birdcalls, car horns, construction sites can sound interesting and almost musical. Sometimes sounds that people find are used  to add an unusual percussive element to a piece of music.

In “Found Sound Club” we will each collect our own found sounds and share them with each other. As we collect our sounds, we can put our favorites together using Garage Band to make a “found sound collage”.

Habitat for Humanity
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Open to:
10, 11, 12
Cost:
$130

On this project, we will work with a local Habitat for Humanity chapter and their partner homeowners to build or improve housing. Having a decent, affordable, and safe place to call home is a fundamental aspect of our lives, and one we often take for granted. Habitat for Humanity is committed to eliminating substandard housing and to helping their partner homeowners achieve stability and independence. We will spend most of our week working on a home build with some time spent as a Habitat for Humanity store volunteer (as needed). 

student preparing lunch
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$250

Explore of the world of food through hands-on cooking in addition to possibly exploring various area markets.

red rocks
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$1180

Students will explore the landscapes, communities, nature, and local history that defines Sedona, Arizona through camping, hiking, trail running, and researching/visiting several archaeological sites.

Outdoor Education: Students will experience challenge through camping and be responsible for cooking their own meals and keeping the site clean. While exploring Sedona's beautiful red rock scenery on the trails, we will discuss the principles of Leave No Trace and recognize indigenous peoples as the traditional stewards of the land.

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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$100

In this project, you will explore the housing crisis facing the Seattle and King County metro area through a combination of learning, service, and activism. 

During this project, you will 

ipad with digital drawing
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Open to:
5, 6
Cost:
$180

Do you ever find yourself wondering how people create cool water bottle stickers? Or wonder what process went into creating an eye-catching advertisement? Intro to Graphic Design will introduce you to the art and structure of graphic design, so you can learn the techniques and apply them to print and screen-based projects. Explore dazzling color palettes, photo effects, and fonts that allow you to create striking tee-shirts, stickers, posters, stationary and more!

Kids on a hike
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Open to:
5, 6, 7, 8
Cost:
$450

This project week consists of day trips exploring local outdoor recreation opportunities! Each day the group will sample a new activity and new location. Trips may include hiking, indoor rock climbing, paddling, biking, and an outdoor low ropes course. We will teach the skills and safety aspects of each activity so no experience is required. 

Students performing onstage
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Open to:
5, 6, 7, 8
Cost:
$420

"Blow us All Away" as you sing, dance, and rock out with the very latest Broadway has to offer. From the enormously popular Hamilton, Six, or Hadestown to perennial favorites like Wicked, or Les Miserables. Taught by instructors from Village Theatre's Kidstage, students will learn contemporary Broadway songs, singing styles, and choreography while collaborating on a unique musical revue performed for friends and family.

Come ready to move, collaborate with your peers, and take artistic risks. Do not throw away your shot!

Skateboarding
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Open to:
5, 6, 7, 8
Cost:
$197

Though skateboarding is now an Olympic sport, it has not always been embraced by the public. In this project students will explore the history and culture of skateboarding and its tie to our community. Students will ponder the purpose of public spaces and will weigh in on whether skateboarding is a public nuisance or a valued pastime. Each day students will participate in a skateboarding clinic which will give them a hands-on opportunity to learn to skate, try out tricks and gain confidence. The week will culminate in a skills showcase. 

students collect samples in the river
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Open to:
5, 6
Cost:
$624

5th and 6th grade owls are invited to explore our pacific northwest environment through a lens of sustainability. During our 5-day, 4-night experience, we will explore the interconnectedness of life on the Olympic Peninsula. From tribal storytelling to studying the surrounding ecosystem, we will rally with one another and learn about how we might enable this history to flourish. In conjunction with NatureBridge outdoor education guides, learning and inquiry will extend beyond the classroom into a tangible effort to fortify the Elwha River basin.

ocean swimmers
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Open to:
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$2385

Overlake may not have a swim team, but we know we have some serious swimmers. This project is an opportunity to create a week-long “Overlake Swim Team”, work with Kelly and Krishna, two experienced high-school level coaches, and explore some of the many ways, beyond just pool workouts, that you can train in the water.

bleach printing on fabric
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Open to:
8, 9, 10, 11
Cost:
$150

Join us for an exhilarating and environmentally-conscious project week that merges the excitement of "Project Runway" with the art of sustainably upcycling thrifted items. Together, we will go on a  journey of creativity, innovation, and sustainability. Project Upcycle is the perfect blend of artistic expression and environmental stewardship. By the end of the week, you'll not only have an impressive portfolio of upcycled creations but also a profound understanding of how creativity can drive sustainability.

Pyrography -- The Art of Wood Burning
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Open to:
7, 8
Cost:
$175

Pyrography -- Also called Wood Burning. Use a soldering iron pen to burn designs on a piece of wood. You can free draw your design, use stencils, or copy a pattern.  Learn ideas and techniques on how to easily create beautiful art pieces and gifts. Pyrography is a relaxing activity, and when you finish a project you get a sense of accomplishment and rewarding beautiful end results. No experience necessary, we will go over safety tips and ideas as well as step-by-step techniques and provide plenty of resource books and guides to getting you started in pyrography.

Joshua Tree
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Open to:
7, 8
Cost:
$1680

We will spend the week camping out, hiking, and rock climbing in one of the most unique National Parks.  Students will learn about the park's history, flora, and fauna in the Mohave Desert, the extensive trail system in the park, rock climbing gear and techniques, and camping and cooking skills with a group.  Students will also learn and practice leadership skills through the different activities, evening discussions, and by being leader of the day.  No rock-climbing experience is necessary, but this trip's members will participate in the Quarter 3 Overlake Climbing Club leading up to Proje

Joshua Tree
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$1755

We will spend the week camping out, hiking, and rock climbing in a world-class climbing destination and National Park.  Students will learn about the park's history, flora and fauna in the Mohave Desert, the park's extensive trail system, rock climbing gear and techniques, and camping and cooking skills with a group.  Students will also be able to learn and practice leadership skills through different activities, evening discussions, and by being leader of the day.  No rock climbing experience is necessary!

Space Needle and Sounds Sculpture at Seattle Center
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$150

Curious about seeing visual art in the wild? Enjoy making art & trying new techniques? Want to try your hand with new art materials? Wish you had more time in the art studios? If YES, SEA Art, Make Art is the project week for you! No experience necessary, but a passion to experiment and experience art is a must!

Sportscenter
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Open to:
5, 6, 7, 8
Cost:
$75

Sportscenter is meant for students to dive deeper into their passion for sports.  In one week, students will learn what the life of a sports broadcaster looks like, the roles of a broadcasting team, what it takes to become a broadcaster and what a broadcaster does to prepare for a sporting event. Students will research a broadcasting mentor for an example of someone to look up to in the sports world. At the end of the week, each student will broadcast a sporting event of their choice. The week will be filled with watching, listening, researching, playing, and broadcasting sports!

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Open to:
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$25

The Heroic Power Fantasy - the idea of being the superhero, saving the innocent and destroying the evil that preys upon them. While this is the core of the fantasy role-playing aka Dungeons and Dragons experience, Teamwork and Tactics to tackle Dungeons of Dragons will be a full week campaign experience in which we take the power fantasy to the next level - how do you assemble and work with a team of others to take your heroics to the next level? We will look at how teams are assembled both in the game and in media to ensure all bases are covered - do you have your heavy hitter?

baking show
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$450

This project will be modeled on The Great British Baking Show. The first four days of the project will be theme-based, e.g. cakes, cookies, bread, savory goods. Each of these days will start with a technical challenge designed to introduce students to standard baking techniques, and then move on to a signature bake focused on the theme for the day. The project will end on day five with the group using the skills and techniques acquired to prepare baked goods to be used in a service project targeted to the communities surrounding Overlake.

Twilight Imperium
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Open to:
9, 10, 11, 12
Cost:
$75

Do you enjoy board games, but need a new challenge?  Do you enjoy epic science fiction experiences that incorporate big battles, diplomacy, political intrigue, technological development, trade deals and economic challenges?  Have you ever heard of this behemoth of a game?  Ever ponder playing it, but lack enough players or the time to bring it to the table? 

Project Week (2023-24)

Mar 25, 2024 - Mar 29, 2024

Contact

Nikki Day
Project Week
nday@overlake.org