Explosion is Heights of Hope's creative arts and skill building program for children, youth, and adults in our community! Students of all ages choose a class from the options below and work with teachers from our neighborhood and our partner churches to explore their creativity and learn new skills.

2024 Class Info

2024 classes are underway! Watch our Facebook page for updates, and join us on Friday, March 22 for our Explosion Exhibition at Calvary on 8th!

All 2024 classes will be held at the Heights of Hope Community Center (450 Stratford Way) from 3:45-5:15pm on Thursdays or Fridays. Classes begin the week of January 18 and continue each week until our Exhibition on Friday evening, March 22. We WILL have Explosion even if there's no or a half day of school. We will decide on whether to host Explosion on snow days on a case-by-case basis. 

Due to space, classes will be limited to 3-6 participants/class. Register by December 18 to guarantee a spot. After that, classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Students wishing to take a class on Thursdays AND Fridays will have that option if there is space available. 

Classes costs $5/person for the whole session. Pay online when you register or put cash or check with your name on it in the dropbox at the Community Center (450 Stratford Way). Parents may also volunteer in a class or provide a snack to pay for the registration fee. 

If you need assistance with transportation, let us know! We can set up a carpool or possibly provide transportation. 

Contact Laura at lauram@heightsofhope.org or text/call (616) 340-0737 with any questions. 

Thursday Classes (3:30-5:15 @ the Community Center)

1. Brick Masters (Ages: Kindergarten - 3rd grade) 

Do you like creating with LEGOs? Join your fellow classmates in creativity, design, and team building as we attack a variety of LEGO challenges. We might build a tower or bridge, a car or spaceship, maybe some abstract art. I know you will have fun learning new things while we build.


2. Cooking 101 (Ages: 3rd - 6th grade) 

Would you like to learn how to make fun meals and snacks that will delight your taste buds and nourish your body? Join us as we cook, bake, and use our creativity in the kitchen!


3. Art as Care (Ages: 4th grade - adults) 

Spend ten weeks exploring the ways that art connects us more fully to ourselves, others, and our community. We will use a variety of mediums to practice mindfulness, connect with others, and build community. Sign up for this class if you enjoy creative self-expression and making art together.


4. Build It - Rocket Building  (Ages: 3rd grade - adults) THIS CLASS IS UNFORTUNATELY CANCELED THIS YEAR


5. Yarn Bombing  (Ages: 5th grade - adults)

Yarn bombing is a form of street art made by covering objects in public space with colorful crocheted patches! Even if you don't have any crochet experience, join us as we bring some colorful "bombs" to our neighborhood! We will learn & create indoors, then bring our masterpieces outdoors for the "bombing process!"


Friday Classes (3:30-5:15 @ the Community Center)

6. Encore (Ages: Kindergarten - adults)

Do you like to sing? How about dance? Does acting and improv sound like fun? Well Encore is the Explosion class for you! We will be exploring these performing arts together through music and movement. At the end of our semester we will perform a small show that we create together in class. Can’t wait to see you soon!


7. Violin and Viola  (Ages: 2nd - 8th grade)

Come make music with us! In this class we'll have fun learning how to play the violin and viola. Learn the basics or build on the skills you've got - all levels welcome. If you're already in the school orchestra (violin and viola), come be a music mentor! Instruments provided for those who need them. We will play games, learn songs and have fun creating together!


8. Robotics (Ages: 3rd grade - adults) 

This class is all about designing, building, and programming robots! We'll dig into the language that controls robots with an intro to coding and create online programs and lego robot creations while learning what coding is and why it's important! We'll even have a chance to visit companies around Holland who are using robots to revolutionize life! 


9. Creativity in the Kitchen (Ages: 5th grade - adults) 

Step up your cooking with this advanced class where we'll not only learn new recipes, but also incorporate creativity and experimentation into our cooking.  If you love to cook or are interested in learning, this class is for you! 


10. I.S.S.U.E.S. in Creative Writing (Ages: 5th - adults)

Do you love using words to express your thoughts, make poetry, or write songs? Do you have something to say and don’t know how to say it? In this class, we're "Individuals Sharing Strengths/struggles Using ElementS" of writing, and we'll be creating journals, digging into some writing prompts, sharing our words in different ways, and encouraging one another. We may have a visit or two from some spoken word/hip hop artists to showcase how we can apply our words to some creative platforms.

Check out our 2023 Recap Video here -