BASE Lower School
B.A.S.E. (Brunswick After-School Experience) is Brunswick's in-house after-school program, which consists of Encore enrichment activities plus an additional Extended Day option. In addition to offering enriching after-school clubs, the primary goal of B.A.S.E. is to provide safe childcare for children of working parents or families in need of care beyond the traditional school day.
- The Fall Term of B.A.S.E. begins Monday, September 15. The final day of the Fall Term is Thursday, December 18.
- Encore enrichment activities meet once/week (Monday-Thursday) and are structured enrichment activities run by Brunswick teachers or outside experts. Classes are offered jointly to boys in grades one and two or grades three and four.
- Extended Day is offered at the conclusion of Encore enrichment activities Monday-Thursday, and following regular dismissal on Friday. Extended Day is an unstructured (but supervised) program for families that need additional time for pickup following an Encore activity. There is no lunch served during Friday Extended Day and boys must pack their own nut-free lunch. You may pick your son up at any time before your registered dismissal time.
- Dismissal for all Lower School B.A.S.E. activities is at the Lower School building.
- Registration will open Wednesday, August 13 at 12 p.m. and close on Tuesday, August 19 at 12 p.m. This is an open window for registration - there is no need to log on immediately when registration begins. Your time of registration will not be considered. We will do our best to accommodate all registrations based on enrollment numbers. In the rare case in which registrations for an activity exceed capacity, we will conduct a lottery to determine placement. You will receive an email when placements for the Fall Term are confirmed.
How to Apply
Note: B.A.S.E. is for current Brunswick families only.
Registration will open Wednesday, August 13 at 12 p.m. and close on Tuesday, August 19 at 12 p.m. This is an open window for registration - there is no need to log on immediately when registration begins. Your time of registration will not be considered. We will do our best to accommodate all registrations based on enrollment numbers. In the rare case in which registrations for an activity exceed capacity, we will conduct a lottery to determine placement. You will receive an email when placements for the Fall Term are confirmed. Once rosters are finalized when the registration window has closed, we will reopen registration for any activities that still have spots available.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact BASE Program Director Joseph Zannino.
Mondays
Shop (Gr 1/2) ( $350 )Dismissal Time: 4:15p Instructor: Tim Coupe Grade: 1, 2
Description: Get ready to hammer, saw, and create at Shop, a hands-on adventure led by Mr. Coupe and Ms. Clarke! Your young craftsman will love learning to use hand tools, whittling, tinkering, and building awesome projects that spark creativity and pride. From cool creations to new skills, this club is all about having fun while making something totally unique with friends. Sign up for a sawdust-filled blast of building fun! Price includes a $25 materials fee.
Let Grow Play (Gr 1/2) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:15p Instructor: Denise Shepard Grade: 1, 2
Description: Unlock your child's curiosity and self-confidence through unstructured, creative play! Using curriculum and ideas from the non-profit organization, Let Grow, the boys will practice self-reliance and resourcefulness with opportunities to bond, build self-control, be creative, and feel joy through free play and optional at-home projects. Let Grow's mission is to "give kids back the developmentally crucial 'vitamin' our culture accidently removed from childhood—independence." After joining this club, you might hear "I'M BORED!" a little less often.
Homework Help (Gr 3/4 Monday) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:30p Instructor: Beth Barsanti Grade: 3, 4
Description: Get ready to conquer weekly tasks with our Homework Help Club, the perfect after-school boost for our third and fourth grade boys! In this fun and supportive club, your son will organize his binder, review assignments, gear up for tests and quizzes, and tackle homework with ease, all while staying on track in a small group setting. With friendly guidance and a chance to work alongside buddies, he’ll build confidence and great study habits. Sign up for a stress-free way to keep your young scholar shining bright!
Fall Football Fun (Gr 3/4) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:30p Instructor: Betsy Overstrum Grade: 3, 4
Description: Hut, hut, hike! Fall is here, and it’s time for our third and fourth grade boys to join the Fall Football Fun Club, where every Monday is a touchdown of excitement! He’ll dive into the week’s football highlights, geek out over stats and favorite players, and then hit the field to practice his own moves in the crisp fall air. With games, drills, and a whole lot of team spirit, this club is the perfect way for your little MVP to score big on fun and friendship! Sign up for a football-filled adventure this season!
Lower School Extended Day Monday 5:00p ( $195 )
Dismissal Time: 5p Instructor: Joey Zannino Grade: 1-4
Description: Extended Day is a supervised, unstructured program at the conclusion of Encore activities that is an opportunity for the boys to participate in free play, homework help, arts & crafts, puzzles and games, and much more. Your son must be registered for Encore enrichment on this day and may register to stay for Extended Day at the conclusion of the activity. You may pick your son up anytime before 5p.
Tuesdays
Lego Robotics (Gr 1/2) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:15p Instructor: Audrey Onsdorff Grade: 1, 2
Description: Gear up for an awesome adventure with our Lego Robotics Club, led by our Middle School Media Specialist! Each session dives into the exciting world of engineering and coding, where your son will tackle real-world challenges by designing and building cool creations with LEGO® bricks and the LEGO® WeDo 2.0 set. He’ll learn to code, spark his creativity, and become a mini-engineer while having a blast with friends. Sign up to watch your boy construct epic solutions and power up his problem-solving skills!
Kempo Karate (Gr 1/2) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:15p Instructor: Joey Zannino Grade: 1, 2
Description: Kempo Karate is an excellent activity to start at an early age, and moreover the martial arts help to develop self-confidence, focus, discipline, respect and benevolence for others. In a fun and controlled environment students will build motor skills by learning a series of punches, kicks and blocks. Throughout the course important character building lessons are incorporated. Our classes emphasize fine motor skills, balance, strength, conditioning and mastery of oneself. Participants will have no physical contact during the session. Students should wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. All new students will receive a white Karate belt at start of program. Throughout the course of the program, all eligible students will be invited to earn their next colored belt at a belt rank testing.
Lego Robotics (Gr 3/4) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:30p Instructor: Tim Coupe Grade: 3. 4
Description: Get ready for a wild ride with our Robotics Club, where fun and imagination take center stage! Unlike your typical robotics club, this adventure lets our inventors use motors, sensors, and a programmable brain to build models that can do just about anything—from zany creations to clever contraptions. With creativity cranked to the max, he’ll have a blast learning and experimenting alongside friends. Sign up for an action-packed club where building and fun know no limits!
Lower School Extended Day Tuesday 5:00p ( $195 )
Dismissal Time: 5p Instructor: Joey Zannino Grade: 1-4
Description: Extended Day is a supervised, unstructured program at the conclusion of Encore activities that is an opportunity for the boys to participate in free play, homework help, arts & crafts, puzzles and games, and much more. Your son must be registered for Encore enrichment on this day and may register to stay for Extended Day at the conclusion of the activity. You may pick your son up anytime before 5p.
Wednesdays
Lower School Chess Team ( $220 )
Dismissal Time: 7:40-8:10a Instructor: NSCF Grade: 1-4
Description: We are very excited to announce the return of our Chess Team for Lower School boys! Meeting on Wednesday mornings from 7:40-8:10a, Bruins will dive into fun chess lessons with expert instructors from the National Scholastic Chess Foundation and members of our very own Middle and Upper School Chess teams to sharpen their skills and get comfortable in tournament-like settings. All members of the Chess team are asked to sign up for two local chess tournaments throughout the school year. In addition, all members of the Chess team are encouraged, but not required, to join the Thursday afternoon BASE Chess activity for extra practice, perfect for beginners and budding grandmasters alike!
Soccer Shots (Gr 1/2) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:15p Instructor: Soccer Shots Grade: 1, 2
Description: Kick off the fun with Soccer Shots! the ultimate soccer organization bringing their expertise to Brunswick this fall. Your little striker will learn soccer fundamentals through exciting skills, fun games, and scrimmages, all while building character with weekly lessons on teamwork and confidence. Aligned with Connecticut’s Early Education Standards, the age-appropriate curriculum meets your child where they are, ensuring a blast on Soccer Island. Sign up for a goal-tastic experience where learning and fun score big!
Story Crafters (Gr 1/2) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:15p Instructor: Alexandra Ryder Grade: 1, 2
Description: Dive into a world of stories with our Story Crafters activity, an exciting after-school adventure! Each week, young readers will listen to a captivating read-aloud from all sorts of genres, then unleash his imagination by building 3-D maps, LEGO® sculptures, and other hands-on creations inspired by the book. This club brings stories off the page, sparking creativity and letting him see tales from a whole new angle while having fun with friends. Sign up to watch your son’s imagination soar as he crafts epic adventures!
Kempo Karate (Gr 3/4) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:30p Instructor: Greenwich Kempo Grade: 3, 4
Description: Kempo Karate is an excellent activity to start at an early age, and moreover the martial arts help to develop self-confidence, focus, discipline, respect and benevolence for others. In a fun and controlled environment students will build motor skills by learning a series of punches, kicks and blocks. Throughout the course important character building lessons are incorporated. Our classes focus on emphasize fine motor skills, balance, strength, conditioning and mastery of oneself. Participants will have no physical contact during the session. Students should wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. All new students will receive a white Karate belt at start of program. Throughout the course of the program, all eligible students will be invited to earn their next colored belt at a belt rank testing..
Wednesday Play w/ Mr. Coupe (3/4) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:30p Instructor: Tim Coupe Grade: 3, 4
Description: Unleash the adventure with Wednesday Play with Mr. Coupe, This club lets the boys' imagination lead the way as they explore the King Street campus, from racing on running trails and conquering playgrounds to adventuring on the Middle School campus or getting creative indoors. Each session kicks off with a fun question—“What would you like to do today?”—sparking endless possibilities for play and friendship. Sign up for a wild, kid-driven journey where every afternoon is a new adventure!
Lower School Extended Day Wednesday 5:00p ( $195 )
Dismissal Time: 5p Instructor: Joey Zannino Grade: 1-4
Description: Extended Day is a supervised, unstructured program at the conclusion of Encore activities that is an opportunity for the boys to participate in free play, homework help, arts & crafts, puzzles and games, and much more. Your son must be registered for Encore enrichment on this day and may register to stay for Extended Day at the conclusion of the activity. You may pick your son up anytime before 5p.
Thursdays
Stop Motion Animation (Gr 1/2) ( $300 )
Dismissal Time: 4:15p Instructor: Audrey Onsdorff Grade: 1, 2
Description: Lights, camera, action! Join our Stop Motion Animation activity, led by our Middle School Media Specialist, for an epic after-school adventure where your boy becomes a filmmaking star! The boys will work together in small groups to dream up a story, sketch a cool storyboard, write a script, and use fun software to film a stop-motion masterpiece with awesome characters and scenes. With simple editing tricks, they’ll add the perfect finishing touches. Sign up for this creative, hands-on journey into the world of animation!
Fencing ( $340 )
Dismissal Time: 4:15p Instructor: Scarsdale Fencing Academy Grade: 1, 2
Description: Fencing is a sport that involves athleticism, discipline, and strategic thinking. Coaches from the Scarsdale Fencing Academy will provide instruction for all ability levels, including boys who have never fenced before. Fencing promotes grit, discipline, and fine-motor coordination, and is ideal for building confidence and strategic thinking in young students. The program aims to introduce 1st and 2nd-grade students to the sport of fencing in a structured, safe, and engaging environment. Through professional instruction and guided practice, participants will improve their physical fitness, mental focus, and sportsmanship while exploring potential long-term opportunities in the sport. Please note this course runs for 60-minutes. The price includes a $40 equipment rental fee for required jacket, mask, saber, gloves, and chest protector.
Lower School Chess ( $300 )
Dismissal Time: 4:15p Instructor: NSCF Grade: 1-4
Description: For decades, Brunswick has enjoyed a successful partnership with the National Scholastic Chess Foundation. We are once again excited to bring the organization's experience and two instructors to each session to ensure all abilities get the instruction they need to improve their game. If you love games of strategy, then Chess is the activity for you. Boys in grades 1-4 will participate in this activity together to better facilitate instruction for both begginers new to the game and players with experience at any Lower School age. In addition to the after school enrichment activity, this year also marks the return of our Chess Team, meeting on Wednesday mornings, for both beginners or players with more experience who are interested in participating in local, competetive Chess tournaments throughout the school year.
Let Grow Play (Gr 3/4) ( $300 )
Dismissal Time: 4:30p Instructor: Denise Shepard Grade: 3, 4
Description: Unlock your child's curiosity and self-confidence through unstructured, creative play! Using curriculum and ideas from the non-profit organization, Let Grow, the boys will practice self-reliance and resourcefulness with opportunities to bond, build self-control, be creative, and feel joy through free play and optional at-home projects. Let Grow's mission is to "give kids back the developmentally crucial 'vitamin' our culture accidently removed from childhood—independence." After joining this club, you might hear "I'M BORED!" a little less often.
Shop (Gr 3/4) ( $325 )
Dismissal Time: 4:30p Instructor: Tim Coupe Grade: 3, 4
Description: Get ready to hammer, saw, and create at Shop, a hands-on adventure led by Mr. Coupe! Your young craftsman will love learning to use hand tools, whittling, tinkering, and building awesome projects that spark creativity and pride. From cool creations to new skills, this club is all about having fun while making something totally unique with friends. Sign up for a sawdust-filled blast of building fun! Price includes a $25 materials fee.
Lower School Extended Day Thursday 5:00p ( 240 )
Dismissal Time: Instructor: Joey Zannino Grade:
Description: Extended Day is a supervised, unstructured program at the conclusion of Encore activities that is an opportunity for the boys to participate in free play, homework help, arts & crafts, puzzles and games, and much more. Your son must be registered for Encore enrichment on this day and may register to stay for Extended Day at the conclusion of the activity. You may pick your son up anytime before 5p.
Fridays
Lower School Extended Day Friday 3:30p ( 780 )
Dismissal Time: Instructor: Joey Zannino Grade:
Description: Extended Day is a supervised, unstructured program at the end of the school day that is an opportunity for the boys to participate in free play, homework help, arts & crafts, puzzles and games, and much more while providing families in need with additional coverage beyond the school day. Due to space restrictions, please consider that space in Extended Day Friday is limited and if necessary priority will be given to those families with no alternate childcare. Boys must pack their own nut-free lunch on Fridays. You may pick your son up anytime before 3:30p.