Waterborne Boat-Building Program

Glen Foerd partners with Philadelphia schools and local arts and cultural institutions to offer middle- and high-school students structured boat-building programs. Waterborne is a program in Engaged Learning, an educational approach rooted in the cultural arts and designed to demonstrate the crucial importance of the arts in supporting successful student educational outcomes.

This program was designed and launched by Philadelphia Waterborne, an organization that Glen Foerd acquired in the summer of 2021. The school boatbuilding program has been a cornerstone of the organization since Philadelphia Waterborne’s inception. In this program, we teach teams of 6-8 students how to build a working, 12-foot-long wooden rowboat, which they launch and row on local rivers at the end of the program. All of our boat-building takes place on-site at the students’ schools, and we provide tools, materials, instructors, and curriculum. Each class meets at least once per week during much of the school year for 1.5-3 hours per session. Boats are assembled, finished, and creatively painted by the students, usually working with one of the school’s art teachers. The art component has become increasingly central to the process and is a special and empowering source of self-expression for our students.

When completed, the students launch their boats onto local rivers with their teachers and parents, giving them a tremendous sense of pride and joy in their accomplishments.

If you are a teacher or school representative who would like to learn more about this program, please reach out to our Environmental Program Manager, Robert DiTomasso at rditomasso@glenfoerd.org.

Teen Arts

The Fall 2024 Teen Arts Application has closed.

Teen Arts is an after-school program designed to foster independence, creativity, and an appreciation of the arts in the setting of Glen Foerd's historic site on the Delaware River.

With skilled instruction and guidance from our educator, Jihan Thomas, students will explore their unique artistic interests and experiment with new mediums of creativity. Throughout the semester, students will work both independently and collaboratively to create a final project as part of a cumulative installation at Glen Foerd. Upon completion of the program, each teen will receive a Certificate of Completion and up to a $250 stipend for their attendance and active participation. 

The program is a semester-long commitment with weekly Monday meetings from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. starting October 21st and ending with a Final Showcase on Saturday, December 14th. Applicants will be notified on October 7th, and an online orientation for students and guardians will be available on October 17th to answer any questions.

If you have any questions about our Teen Arts Program, contact Isabel Brown, the Arts & Culture Program Assistant, at isabel@glenfoerd.org.

Lily P.A.D.S. is a children’s play and discovery program at Glen Foerd that holds wonder-filled art and science workshops all year round! Generally, sessions are open to young budding artists and scientists, ages 4-10, with some occasional sessions geared towards younger kiddos (3-6) and some towards older creators (7-12). During the nicer weather, it is held on our new nature-based, environmentally friendly outdoor Play Space, and when it’s wet or too cool, we will bring the wonder inside the Main House, down in the Rathskeller.

Lily P.A.D.S. is named in honor of Lily Macalester, daughter of the original owner of Glen Foerd, then called Glengarry.

Each week, friends will explore a variety of art techniques & supplies, including drawing, painting, charcoals, pastels, weaving, collage, tile work, clay, tools, and more! They will often incorporate nature treasures and sensory activities and even do some experimenting with their works! On top of all of that, we always add loads of play, imagination, and magic! Come out and join the fun as we continue to inspire future artists & scientists here at Glen Foerd!

Check out our upcoming workshops here.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Educator and Program Creator Heidi Weinstein Malloy at heidi@glenfoerd.org.