Youth & Family

Preschool Move, Play, & Grow: Springtime is Here!

Friday, May 9 ~ 10am to 11am

Join our Springtime themed sensory + motor fun fest for kids ages 2.5 to 5 and their caregiver. All activities are designed and led by an occupational therapist to boost coordination for little hands, eyes, and the whole body, while also supporting sensory processing, social skills, self-regulation, and more. It’s a playful blend of learning, fun, and helping kiddos get ready to conquer the world of play, sports, and beyond.

Class Note: Weather and time permitting, we may venture outside onto the beautiful 577 grounds toward the end of class.

Community Instructor: Mary Davis

Preschool: Science, Stories & Songs

Wednesday, May 14 ~ 10am to 10:45am

Spark curiosity and connection in this playful, hands-on class designed for preschoolers aged two to five and their adult partners. This session invites little learners to explore the wonders of science through simple experiments, interactive games, joyful music, a themed story, and a fun, science-based craft to take home.

This engaging experience is more than just learning—it’s about sharing sweet, creative moments together and building a love for discovery that lasts a lifetime. Perfect for curious minds and playful hearts!

Class Note: Please register each participating child individually; adults attend free as part of their role as caregivers.

Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider

Porcupine Pencil & Pen Holders ~ Youth Pottery: Ages 7 to 17

Thursday, May 15 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm

This fun and interactive pottery class is perfect for the young artist in your life! In this hands-on session, each child will create a quirky porcupine pencil holder using simple pinch pot techniques. Led by Alison Buchanan, 577’s Pottery Coordinator, children will learn how to shape their pot and bring their porcupine to life by adding a head, eyes, and nose.

Once complete, each child will have the opportunity to finish their piece with underglazes. After bisque firing, staff will apply a final glaze. These whimsical pencil holders will be ready for pick-up in about two weeks, with email notifications sent when they are ready.

Class note: This class is open to children ages 7 to 17. No prerequisite or experience is required. Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Youth participants may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time. 

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Intro to Crochet for Families

Saturday, May 17 ~ 3pm to 5pm

Learn to crochet together as a family! Whether you need a refresher or you’ve never picked up a hook before, each adult and child pair will focus on how to tie a slip knot, how to chain stitch (the foundation of crochet), and the single crochet stitch. Each participant will create a project of their choice – a dishcloth, a coaster, a scarf, or a little lap blanket.

Participants will have a variety of yarns and tools on hand to choose from. We’ll start by choosing your desired project, your yarn color, and the correct sized hook. All supplies are included to reduce beginner frustration from using the wrong tools. Everyone will receive a crochet hook and a ball of yarn along with handouts for reference when practicing and helping each other at home.

Class Notes: Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7 to 17, with an accompanying adult 18 years old and older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered. If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.

Community Instructor: Annie Johnson

Youth Art Adventures: Fancy Fish

Friday, May 23 ~ 10am to 11:15am

Dive into the fascinating world of fish through story, music, movement, and hands-on creativity. Designed for children ages 2 to 6 years old and their adult partner, this playful class introduces young learners to the many wonders of fish life.

Together, we’ll read “Freaky, Funky Fish: Odd Facts About Fascinating Fish” by Debra Kempf Schumaker, sing along to fun preschool tunes, and create a unique art project using recycled materials. At the end of class, we’ll take a short walk to the Geodesic Biodome to visit 577’s koi pond and learn more about these colorful fish in their home habitat.

Class Notes: Cost is per child, please register each child attending. Adults are free and do not need to register. Caregivers should attend class with their child. Part of this class will take place outdoors, please dress for the weather. In the event of bad weather, the entire class will be held in Virginia’s House.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Kids Explore Nature: What is this Rock?

Saturday, May 24 ~ 10am to 11:30am

Young explorers aged four(4) to seven (7) and their adult partners will have fun discovering the beauty and science of rocks. Through hands-on activities, we’ll learn the different types of rocks and how they are formed. We’ll observe their colors, textures, and shapes, perform a simple science experiment, and finish by starting our very own rock collection.

This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity and encourage meaningful moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, grow, and explore together!

Class Notes: Cost is per child—please register each child attending. Adults are free and do not need to register. Caregivers should attend class with their child. Part of this class will take place outdoors—please dress for the weather. In the event of bad weather, the entire class will be held in Virginia’s House ~ Garage Studio.

Community Instructors: Nancy & John Salerno

Fantastic Clay Fishbowls ~ Youth Pottery: Ages 7 to 17

Wednesday, May 28 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm

This fun and creative pottery class is perfect for the young artist in your life—especially those who love aquatic or plant life! In this hands-on session, each child will roll out slabs of clay and use them to create their own imaginative fishbowl or terrarium scene. Led by Alison Buchanan, 577’s Pottery Coordinator, children will learn how to clean edges and shape all kinds of fun additions—like fish, sea creatures, and plants for aquariums, or bugs, leaves, and flowers for terrariums.

Once their designs are assembled, each child will personalize their creation with underglazes, adding bright stripes, colors, and patterns to bring their scene to life. After the first kiln firing, 577 staff will apply a clear glaze to give each piece a glossy finish and added durability. Projects will be ready for pick-up in about two weeks, and an email will be sent when they’re ready.

Class note: This class is open to children ages 7 to 17. No prerequisite or experience is required. Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Youth participants may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time. 

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Youth: Introduction to Acting

Wednesday, June 4 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am

Join us for an exciting new class designed for youth ages 7 to 11 who want to learn or improve their acting skills. Participants will play theater games, take part in a mock audition, create a simple drama resume, work on characterization, and practice cold reading.

A simple snack will be provided. Please note any food allergies at registration.

Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider

Youth Art Adventures: Birds!

Friday, June 6 ~ 10am ~ 11am

Designed for children ages 2 to 6 years old and their adult partner, this engaging experience allows little ones to learn about birds through story, music, and art. Together, we’ll read “Birds” by Kevin Henkes and listen to some fun preschool tunes. We’ll also make two crafts with recycled toilet paper rolls: a beautiful bird and a small hanging birdfeeder with birdseed and peanut butter/sunflower seed butter.

Class Notes: Cost is per child—please register each child attending. Adults are free and do not need to register. Caregivers should attend class with their child. 

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Sipper Cups ~ Family Pottery: Ages 5 to 6 & Adult 18+

Friday, June 6 ~ 10am to 11:30am

Join us in the Pottery Studio for a fun, hands-on family class where each participant will make one custom sipper cup (2 total per family) that will be decorated/painted by you! This class is open to children 5 and 6 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.

Each person will receive one extruded cylinder to transform into unique sipper cups by adding a base and embellishments. Led by Alison, 577’s Pottery Coordinator, the class will explore different decoration techniques with plenty of inspiring examples to spark creativity. We will paint our decorations with underglazes for that perfect pop of color.

Once completed, each creation will be bisque-fired, glazed in clear, and fired again. Finished pieces will be ready for pick-up in about two weeks, with email notifications sent when they are ready.

This family class is for both children and their accompanying adults to enjoy an exploration of hand-built pottery projects. Class is open to children 5 to 6 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Intro to Knitting for Families

Saturday, June 7 ~ 10am ~ 12pm

Learn to knit together as a family! Whether you need a refresher, or you’ve never picked up knitting needles before, each adult and child pair will focus on how to cast on to their knitting needles and how to do the knit stitch. We’ll also touch on the purl stitch and how to cast off or finish a project. Each participant will create a project of their choice – a dishcloth, a coaster, a scarf, or a little lap blanket.

Participants will have a variety of yarns and tools on hand to choose from. We’ll start by choosing your desired project, your yarn color, and the correct-sized needles. All supplies are included to reduce beginner frustration from using the wrong tools. Everyone will receive illustrated handouts, straight knitting needles, and a skein of yarn for practicing and helping each other at home.

Class Registration Requirements: Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7 to 17, with an accompanying adult 18 years old and older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered. If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.

Community Instructor: Annie Johnson

Slab of Summer ~ Youth Pottery Camp: Ages 7 to 13

Session I: Monday, June 16 – Friday, June 20 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am

Session II: Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25 ~  9:30am to 11:30am

Slab of Summer ~ Youth Pottery Camp: Ages 14 to 17

Monday, June 16 – Friday, June 20 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Join the 577 pottery staff for a fun and creative weeklong exploration of clay! Led by Pottery Coordinator Alison Buchanan, this exciting camp invites young artists to explore the endless possibilities of clay.

Throughout the week, your kiddo will learn foundational hand-building techniques such as pinch, slab, and coil to craft a variety of unique projects. Inspired by animals, nature, and the beautiful surroundings of 577, we will create a new piece each day, with a special project designed exclusively for summer camp. Toward the end of the session, everyone will get to experience the glazing process firsthand on one of their pieces (all other pieces will be glazed by staff due to firing limitations).

This camp is open to two age groups, with dedicated sessions for each. For ages 7 to 13, we are offering two sessions. Each session will feature fresh projects, so students are welcome to sign up for both. All materials and firings are included. No prior experience is necessary. Drop-off and pick-up information: Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Children should be dropped off at the start of class and picked up promptly at the scheduled end time.

Get ready to roll up your sleeves, play with clay, and bring your imagination to life at 577 this summer!

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Kids Explore Nature: Colorful Flowers

Saturday, June 21 ~ 10am to 11:30am

Young explorers aged four (4) to seven (7) and their adult partners will have fun discovering the beauty and science of flowers. Through hands-on activities, we’ll learn the different jobs of each flower part as we observe their colors, scents, textures, and shapes. We’ll finish with a fun petal pounding craft as each child gets creative with paint and tissue paper on a 12″ x 12″ canvas.

This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity and encourage meaningful moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, grow, and explore together!

Class Notes: Cost is per child—please register each child attending. Adults are free and do not need to register. Caregivers should attend class with their child. Part of this class will take place outdoors—please dress for the weather. In the event of bad weather, the entire class will be held in Virginia’s House ~ Garage Studio.

Community Instructors: Nancy & John Salerno

Clay Pinch Pot Animals ~ Family Pottery: Ages 5 to 6 & Adult 18+

Tuesday, June 24 ~ 10am to 11:30am

Enjoy creative time together in the 577 Pottery Studio as you make a charming animal pinch pot, choosing from a cat, dog, elephant, mouse, or ladybug. You’ll learn simple pinch pot and sculpting techniques to bring your chosen animal to life, and you will have the opportunity to decorate your creation with underglazes during class.

Alison Buchanan, 577’s Pottery Coordinator, will guide you step-by-step through the process and offer helpful tips along the way. Once completed, each creation will be bisque-fired, glazed in clear, and fired again by our staff. We’ll email you in about two weeks when your piece is ready for pickup. Perfect for beginners! Come make memories and a special work of art to take home.

This family class is for both children and their accompanying adults to enjoy an exploration of hand-built pottery projects. Class is open to children 5 to 6 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Preschool Move, Play, & Grow: Sensory Explorers!

Friday, June 27 ~ 10:30am to 11:30am

Join our sensory bin exploration opportunity for kids ages 3 to 6 and their caregivers. Dive into creative sensory bin stations designed and led by an occupational therapist to boost sensory processing and coordination for little hands and eyes. It’s a playful mix of learning and fun, featuring the messy sensory play ideas that your kids will love and you won’t have to clean up!

Please note: We recommend that adults and children wear clothing that is suitable for this type of play.

Community Instructor: Mary Davies, MS OTR/L

Riverwalk String Camp

Camp: Monday, July 14 through Friday, July 18 ~ 9am to 4pm

String Ensemble Concert featuring Youth: Saturday, July 19, 10am to 12pm

Young musicians in grades 7 to 12 are invited to join us for the Riverwalk String Camp. This week-long immersive musical experience is designed to provide excellent instruction in string playing from world-class musicians, paired with mindfulness and creativity education from the Toledo Mindfulness Institute. Participants will learn lifelong skills as they work in small groups and individually with instruction and guidance from professional musicians.

Campers will also benefit from attending live performances on-site at 577, including Riverwalk’s Ensemble-In-Residence, the Orion Trio, and a sound bathing experience from Isabella Weik of the Toledo Mindfulness Institute.

The week concludes with a special concert showcasing our campers’ talents on Saturday, July 19, 10am to 12pm. All performances take place on 577’s Outdoor Stage and are open to the public.

This is a unique opportunity for student musicians to improve their playing, find inspiration, and build friendships in a holistic, supportive, and engaging environment. Join us and gain the courage to follow your dreams!

Important Class Notes:
• Young musicians must have at least 2 years of private training.
• Musicians must submit a sample of their playing as an audio file to riverwalkstringcamp@gmail.com at the time of registration.
• Registrants will be notified of their acceptance or denial within three (3) business days. Any musician who is not accepted into the camp will receive a full refund.

Community Instructor: Cole Habekost, Alex Munson, and Isabella Weik