Back to School – New Year Readout
2025/26 Academic Year • Last updated: September 16, 2025
🗓️ See What’s On
Check our live program calendar for camps, classes, tournaments, and special events.
📣 Important Announcement Brand & Governance Update
Starting September 1st, 2025, we operate under our new name: OARA Youth Innovation Lab ( Reg.No 1699362-1 )
We are now a federally registered not-for-profit organization led by an accomplished Board of Directors committed to advancing STEM education in the North Okanagan region.
Read more about us →
💳 Pricing – 2025/26 (Effective September 2025)
📍 3125 31 Ave, Vernon, BC •
📧 oarayouthinnovationlab@gmail.com •
📞 (236) 795-0470
- First Session (Trial): $10 per student (one-time)
- Drop-in (Occasional Use):
- Foundations/Innovators: $25 per session
- Pioneers: $50 per session
🎟️ Session Packages (Core Programs)
A 5-session pack ≈ ~1 month •
10-session pack ≈ ~2 months •
30-session pack ≈ ~6 months
| Tier | Age Group (approx.) | 5-Session Pack | 10-Session Pack | 30-Session Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Foundations | K–5 | $110 ($22/session) | $200 ($20/session) | $540 ($18/session) |
| 🚀 Innovators | Grades 6–8 | $120 ($24/session) | $225 ($22.50/session) | $600 ($20/session) |
| 🌟 Pioneers | Grades 9–12+ | $240 ($48/session) | $450 ($45/session) | $1,200 ($40/session) |
| Perks | — | 10% discount | 15% discount | 20% discount |
Camp fees are separate from session packs. Members receive exclusive discounts:
🌱 Foundations → 10% off | 🚀 Innovators → 15% off | 🌟 Pioneers → 20% off
Applies to all vacation and summer camp registrations.
🤖 Robotics Competitions (Coaching & Mentoring)
Students pay by session. Example streams include FIRST LEGO League Explore (🌱 Foundations) and FIRST LEGO League Challenge (🚀 Innovators). Typical season runs ~September to February/March; event fees and travel costs are extra and shared among team members.
👨👩👧 Family Plan
- First child: full price
- Second child: –25%
- Third+ child: –50%
- Packs can be shared among siblings
- Session packs are valid for the school term: Sep 2, 2025 → Jun 25, 2026
- Unused sessions expire at term end (keeps scheduling predictable)
- Add-on sessions after finishing a pack:
- Foundations/Innovators → $22/session
- Pioneers → $45/session
Have questions about which tier to choose? See OARA Journey below or
check our calendar for info sessions.
📅 Program Schedules
🏫 After-School Program
When: Regular school days
Time: 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Choose any 90-minute slot within this window
- Flexible start times to accommodate different schools
- Snacks provided
Need different timing? Contact us on Slack!
🏠 Homeschool Program
When: Monday to Friday (school days)
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
- Dedicated homeschool cohort
- Project-based learning
- Self-paced curriculum
Alternative times available upon request!
👥 Age Groups & Programs
We serve K-12 students with age-appropriate programs:
- Elementary (K-5): Foundation skills in coding, robotics, and creative tech
- Middle School (6-8): Advanced projects and competition preparation
- High School (9-12): Specialized tracks in AI, engineering, and entrepreneurship
♟️ Free Drop-in Chess Club
When: Tuesdays on regular school days
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: OARA Makerspace (3125 31 Ave, Vernon)
Cost: Free
🤖 FIRST Season 2025/26 – UNEARTHED™
Season Timeline:
- 📝 Registration: Now Open!
- 🚀 Kickoff: First week of September 2025
- 🏆 Regional Competition: February 2026
- ⏰ Duration: September 2025 – February 2026
Our flagship program develops critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation skills through hands-on robotics challenges.
🧩 FIRST LEGO League Updates 2025/26
🌟 First Lego League Explore (Ages 6-9)
Introduction to STEM through playful learning and motorized models.
⚡ First Lego League Challenge (Ages 10-14)
Advanced robotics programming and innovation project development.
📚 Course Catalog 2025/26
FIRST LEGO League Programs
| Program | Age Range | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| First Lego League Explore | Ages 6-9 | Introduction to STEM, teamwork, and basic programming |
| First Lego League Challenge | Ages 10-14 | Advanced robotics, programming, and innovation projects |
Complete Course Offerings
(The list below is only a sample. At OARA, sessions are primarily project-based, often blending multiple skills and technologies. Most courses are also tailored to each student’s learning needs.)
| Course | Beginner (6-10) | Intermediate (9-14) |
|---|---|---|
| 🎮 Scratch Projects | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🐍 Python Programming | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🌐 Web Development | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🎨 Blender 3D | — | ✓ |
| 📐 Tinkercad Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🥧 Raspberry Pi | — | ✓ |
| 💡 ESP32 IoT | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🤖 Spike Prime Robotics | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🧱 WeDo Robotics | ✓ | — |
| ⚡ Arduino | — | ✓ |
| 🎬 Claymation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🎤 Presentation Skills | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🚁 Drone Programming | — | ✓ |
| 💼 Young Entrepreneur | — | ✓ |
| 🤖 AI Projects | — | ✓ |
| 🔧 Robotics Projects | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🧠 Machine Learning | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🖨️ 3D Printing | ✓ | ✓ |
| ♟️ Learn Chess | ✓ | ✓ |
| 📱 Mobile App Development | ✓ | ✓ |
| ➕ Math Coaching | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🔬 Research Projects | ✓ | ✓ |
Students will model, design, and 3D-print a functional motor boat, learning CAD skills, engineering principles, and rapid prototyping!
🧭 OARA Journey – High-Level Overview
- Step 0: Try our First Session special for just $10. Join our OARA Slack group.
- Step 1 – Onboarding to OARA Makerspace:
- Open an OARA makerspace profile
- Complete a first discussion (phone/in-person) with OARA learning lead to set expectations & goals
- Open a student profile to track learning, progress, and history
- Determine student level: Foundations / Innovators / Pioneers
- Students complete one or more core courses (~12–16 sessions each) to build strong fundamentals
- Step 2 – Sign up for programs: After-School STEM classes, Homeschool program, Vacation Camps, Competition Streams
Note: Many students pursue multiple programs at the same time. Email us at oarayouthinnovationlab@gmail.com to set the right expectations for your child.
💰 Payment Information
Accepted Payment Methods
- Payments are temporarily paused until September 14, 2025, due to organizational updates. For assistance, please contact us via Slack.
Payment Terms:
- Monthly fees: Due on the 1st of each month
- Drop-in fees: Payable at time of attendance
- Cancellation: 7 days notice required for refund
- Missed classes: Can be made up within the same month