Youth Programs
Glen Foerd’s youth programs combine elements of art, history, and environmental science with unique hands-on learning experiences. There is a variety of options available for different age groups and interests. Check below for more information.
River Ambassadors
The Summer 2025 Application is now open.
Glen Foerd's River Ambassador program is designed to be a hands-on learning opportunity for Philadelphia high school students. The program aims to increase awareness and knowledge of the Delaware River Watershed, provide opportunities for on-water and land activities, and promote community outreach and stewardship.
The River Ambassador program is a 6-week program starting the week of July 7th and ending the week of August 11th. Ambassadors will meet 4 days per week (Monday-Thursday) for 5 hours each day.
During the 6-week course, Ambassadors will have the opportunity to participate in water quality testing and monitoring, create and implement their own environmental-based project, and develop on-water skills through kayaking and rowing. Participants will spend each day both on land and on water (pending weather), exploring our local watershed.
Applicants must be rising 11th or rising 12th-grade students. Ambassadors participating in our program will be paid a stipend for their participation.
If you have any questions or would like more detailed information about our River Ambassador Program at Glen Foerd, please contact our Environmental Program Manager, Robert DiTomasso at rditomasso@glenfoerd.org
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 5:00 PM on Friday, June 13th, or until the program reaches capacity.
This program is thanks in part to Riverways, a consortium of non-profit organizations working together to create connections between the local waterways and communities in the Philadelphia-Camden region.
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
Applications for Teen Arts Summer 2025 are open!
Teen Arts is now a year-round program! We’ll be offering two 4-week sessions this summer.
With skilled instruction and guidance, young people ages 14 to 18 will explore their unique artistic interests and experiment with new mediums of creativity. No artistic experience is required! Throughout the session, students will work both independently and collaboratively to create a final project. Each teen will receive a Certificate of Completion and up to a $250 stipend for their active participation.
The Summer Program is a month-long commitment with meetings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Session A will run from June 18 through July 17.
Session B will run from July 23 through August 21.
Students can select with session works best for you. Each session will be capped at 12 students. Applications are rolling. Interested students will be notified by the end of May.
If you have any questions about our Teen Arts Program, contact Isabel Brown, the Arts & Culture Program Officer, at isabel@glenfoerd.org.
Support for Teen Arts is provided by the William Penn Foundation.
Video by Bloomberg Arts Intern, Mark Allen.
Lily P.A.D.S.
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.