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
Glen Foerd's River Ambassador program is a hands-on learning opportunity for Philadelphia-area high school students. The program connects young people with the Delaware River Watershed through environmental education, on-water experiences, community engagement, and hands-on stewardship. Ambassadors gain practical skills, explore their local environment, and develop a deeper appreciation for the waterways and natural spaces in their community.
The River Ambassador program is a 6-week summer program beginning in July. Ambassadors typically meet Monday through Thursday for 5 hours each day, with minor scheduling changes possible from year to year.
Throughout the 6-week program, Ambassadors will participate in field trips, water quality testing and monitoring, environmental projects, and hands-on stewardship activities. Participants will also develop on-water skills through kayaking and rowing. Ambassadors spend time both on land and water as they explore the local watershed, learn about native flora and fauna, and build connections with their peers and community.
Applicants must be rising 10th, 11th, or 12th-grade students. Ambassadors who successfully complete the program will be awarded a stipend. The stipend amount is dependent on available funding and will be announced when applications open for each year's program.
If you have questions or would like more information about Glen Foerd's River Ambassador Program, please contact our Environmental Program Manager at rditomasso@glenfoerd.org.
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 Fall 2026 are open!
The Monday crew will meet from 4 to 6pm on the following Monday nights: 10/5, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/23, 11/30, 12/7, and 12/12.
The Tuesday crew will meet from 4 to 6pm on the following Tuesday nights: 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1, 12/8, and 12/12.
Do you want to learn what native Philadelphia plant life can be turned into dye, how to bind your own sketchbooks, and how to turn sunlight into art? Teen Arts is the place for you!
Teen Arts is a place for young people ages 14-18 to explore their unique artistic interests and experiment with new mediums. For the first half of the program, we’ll learn about the history and craftsmanship of the Gilded Age through techniques such as watercolor painting, fiber arts, and more. During the second half, everyone will complete their own independent project for a Final Exhibition. In exchange for their active participation, each teen will also receive up to a $250 stipend at the end of the program. All materials will be provided, and no artistic experience is required!
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.
See what past students have been up to!
Click to Play.
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.