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.

The Summer 2024 Application is now open! Applications are due May 10th by 5 pm.

Glen Foerd's Riverways 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 Riverways Ambassador program is a 6-week program starting the week of July 8th and ending the week of August 16th.  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 Riverways Ambassador Program at Glen Foerd, please contact our Environmental Program Manager, Robert DiTomasso at rditomasso@glenfoerd.org

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.

Glen Foerd’s Teen Arts Program application is now closed for the Spring 2024 Session. Keep an eye out for the Fall 2024 Application!

This program accepts up to ten high school students and is designed to foster interest in and appreciation of the arts. Applicants will explore their creativity through arts-based activities, including drawing, painting, photography, writing, and discussion.

With skilled instruction and guidance from our educator, Jihan Thomas, participants will collaborate to create a final project, such as an exhibition, event, or publication. Upon completion of the program, each teen is awarded a $250 stipend.

The program is a semester-long commitment and will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. weekly, starting March 25th and ending May 13th.

If you have any questions about our Teen Arts Program, feel free to contact our Arts & Culture Program Manager, Alice Thompson, at athompson@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.