Youth and family class topics mirror adult programming with subjects such as arts, cooking, nature, gardening, skill-building, and more. Classes are taught by community educators and 577 staff. Class sizes are small and may take place in the Cottage, House, and outdoors around the beautiful gardens and grounds of 577.
Upcoming Classes
Checkerboard ~ July Family Pottery: For Ages 11 to 17 w/ Adult
Friday, July 26 ~ 9am to 11am
This family pottery class is open to children 11 to 17 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.
Join us for a unique family pottery class making a checkerboard ~ the perfect addition to game night!. Each pair will make one checkerboard with 24 pieces, 12 pieces for each side. Opt for a traditional design or let your imagination run wild with unconventional patterns, the choice is yours!
Under the guidance of your instructor, Emily, 577’s pottery coordinator and ceramic artist, you’ll start by rolling out a slab of clay and cutting out your boards. Then, it’s time to cut out the individual pieces and personalize your boards to your heart’s content. Work together with your kiddo to make an unforgettable project that can be used for years to come. Once fired, these projects may be glazed or high fired to finish, with Emily discussing your choices in class. Pickup will be in approximately 2 to 3 weeks after class. Each pair will receive a notification via email. No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!
Class Registration Requirments:
• Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 11 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.
577 Staff Instructor: Emily Horst
Kids Explore Nature: Bees & Honey
Saturday, July 27 ~ 10am to 11:30am
Young explorers will learn all about bees and all the work it takes to make delicious honey. Designed for kids ages 4 to 7 with an adult guardian, together we’ll investigate the bee’s life cycle, the amazing way they communicate with each other, and finally we’ll make our own honeycombs and a wooden mason bee house to take home. We’ll even taste some different types of honey!
*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. Please dress for the weather as part of the class will be outside.
Community Instructors: Nancy & John Salerno
Youth: Candy STEAM • For Ages 8 to 12-year-olds
Monday, July 29 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am
Young participants in this fun class will explore all the aspects of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, using candy as our tools. We’ll create candy structures, paint with candy, play games, and more. Kids ages 8 to 12 year-olds will enjoy this enriching experience that’s a real “treat”!
*Class information: Some candy may contain wheat or chemical/synthetic food dyes. Please state any food allergies at registration.
Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider
Platter ~ July Family Pottery: For Ages 7 to 17 w/ Adult
Wednesday, July 31 ~ 9am to 10:30am
This family pottery class is open to children 7 to 17 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.
Join Julie and Emily, 577’s pottery instructors, for a creative and memorable experience making a large family “special day” platter. As a team, each adult and youth will work to roll out a slab, then prep and decorate a new heirloom for your family.
The platter will be food-safe ~ perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any special dinner at home. It’s large enough for serving, yet just the right size for everyday use. Pickup will be in approximately 12 to 14 days after class. Each pair will receive a notification via email. No experience is necessary. Create lasting memories and a treasured keepsake!
Class Registration Requirments:
• 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.
577 Staff Instructors: Emily Horst & Julie Beutler
Monster Set ~ July Family Pottery: For Ages 7 to 12 w/ Adult
Wednesday, July 31 ~ 1pm to 3pm
This family pottery class is open to children 7 to 12 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.
Join Julie and Emily, 577’s pottery instructors, for a “frightfully fun” family pottery class. Each family member will make and decorate their very own “monster” themed bowl and plate. Together, we’ll use pinch pot and slab techniques to bring to life fun, wide-mouth creature dip bowls and matching or complementing snack plates from your imagination. Not sure what you want your set to look like, don’t worry! We’ll start with some fun demonstrations to get your imagination flowing.
Everyone will complete their projects by painting them with liquid colored clay for bright and fun colors. Cute for movie nights, lunch, and after-school snacks, you will love using your own custom plate and dip bowl set! Julie and Emily will complete the process with a clear glaze and a high-fire making them food-safe. Pickup will be in approximately 12 to 14 days after class. Each pair will receive a notification via email. No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!
Class Registration Requirments:
• Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7 to 12, 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.
577 Staff Instructors: Emily Horst & Julie Beutler
Clay Butterflies & Moths ~ Youth Pottery: For Ages 7 to 12
Friday, August 2 ~ 10am to 12pm
This youth pottery class is open to children 7 to 12, no prerequisite or experience is required.
Join us for this whimsical class, creating beautiful butterflies and moths perfect for a wall hanging or garden display. Emily Horst, your class instructor and 577 Pottery Coordinator, will guide you through the process, starting with rolling out slabs, then cutting out butterfly and moth shapes, and finally decorating them with coils.
Your child can let their imagination soar with designs that are fanciful or wonderfully lifelike. While our creations dry, we’ll stroll through the gardens, spotting real fluttery friends and discovering the magic of pollination. When we return, we’ll finish class by painting with vibrant underglazes, bringing our ceramic critters to life!
After firing, these projects will be dipped in a clear glaze for a glossy finish. Pickup will be scheduled in 2 to 3 weeks, and you’ll receive an email notification when they’re ready for you to pickup and proudly display. Please note: Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Students may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time. Please remember to try and be on time.
577 Staff Instructor: Emily Horst
Kids Explore Nature: Beautiful Butterflies
Saturday, August 3 ~ 10am to 11:30am
Young explorers will love this hands-on class learning about beautiful butterflies ~ nature’s gentle helpers. Designed for kids ages 4 to 7 with an adult guardian, this class will meet outside on the beautiful grounds of 577 for some fun butterfly-themed activities. Kids will explore symmetry, learn the difference between a moth and a butterfly, go on a “butterfly hunt”, and finish by making their own take-home butterfly wings.
*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. Please dress for the weather as part of the class will be outside.
Community Instructors: Nancy & John Salerno
Wall Hanging ~ August Family Pottery: For Ages 7 to 17 w/ Adult
Monday, August 5 ~ 9:30am to 11:30am
This family pottery class is open to children 7 to 17 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.
Get ready for an exciting adventure in this fun class with your kiddo! Together, you will dive into the world of slab and pinch pot techniques to craft a one-of-a-kind wall hanging, perfect for any space ~ indoors or outdoors. Using cookie cutters or your own artistic touch, you’ll shape and decorate your pieces exactly how you want. Mix and match sizes, shapes, textures, and colors to create something truly unique!
You and your child can choose to make a big, bold design or a few smaller hanging pieces – it’s up to you! After you’ve put your creative magic into them, we’ll fire your creations. Whether you prefer a shiny glazed finish or a smooth, matte look, Emily will walk you through the options during class. In just 2 to 3 weeks after the class, your amazing artwork will be ready for pick up. Hang them proudly at home and show off your newfound pottery skills!
Class Registration Requirments:
• 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.
577 Staff Instructor: Emily Horst
Little Chefs: Breakfast for Dinner
Tuesday, August 6 ~ 5pm to 6:30pm
Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? Get your little chef in the kitchen with friends for some fun with breakfast foods! We will be mixing up a homemade pancake batter and learning some tricks for making perfectly fluffy and golden pancakes every time (with adult supervision). Class participants will also be assembling a fruit and yogurt parfait using a variety of toppings of their choice. We’re willing to bet that once your little one has mastered these recipes, your Sunday mornings (or Tuesday nights) will never be the same!
Important Class Notes: Kids should come to class wearing closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing that can get a little messy. Aprons will be provided. We will be tasting the foods that we prepare, so please make us aware of any dietary restrictions, if they apply to your child. We do our best to accommodate substitutions for food allergies, but due to cost and class time limitations, we may not be able to offer alternative ingredients/recipes for every dietary restriction. Please contact us before registering your child to confirm availability. Recommended ages 7 to 12. Exceptions may apply case by case, please contact us for details.
577 Staff Instructor: Kelly Rose Hirsh
Youth Art Adventures: Colorful Chameleons
Friday, August 23 ~ 10am to 11am
Designed for 2- to 6-year-olds and their adult guardian, this class explores chameleons and color through story, art, and more. We will meet in Virginia’s Dining Room and then head out to the StoryWalk trail to read “A Color of His Own” by Leo Lionni. Then we will gather back in Virginia’s House to learn fun facts about chameleons and create a colorful accordion book with paints, markers, and more.
Class will meet in the Dining Room of Virginia’s House before moving outside to walk the StoryWalk trail together. In the event of rain or extreme heat, we will stay inside Virginia’s House to read the StoryWalk book.
Please note: Cost is per child–please register each child attending. Adults are free and caregivers should attend class with their child.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Musical Jamboree
Three-week session: Tuesdays, September 3, 17, 24 ~ 10am to 11am
Designed for preschoolers ages 2 to 5, children will make music and experience play as they learn beginning socialization skills while interacting with other preschoolers. Each session includes singing, dancing, moving to music, playing with toy instruments, and making a simple craft.
Please note: Cost is per child–please register each child attending. Adults are free and caregivers should attend class with their child. No class on September 10.
Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider
Kids Explore Nature: The Magnificent Vulture
Saturday, September 7 ~ 10am to 11:30am
We are celebrating International Vulture Awareness Day on September 7 with this fun class where kids will get hands-on to learn about this majestic bird and its importance in nature. Designed for 4- to 7-year-olds and an adult partner, we’ll spend some time outside on the beautiful grounds of 577 for some fun vulture-themed activities.
Young nature-enthusiasts will explore the lives and important role of vultures through fun family science activities including a make & take vulture wings project.
Please note: *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. Please dress for the weather as part of the class will be outside.
Community Instructors: Nancy & John Salerno
Youth Art Adventures: Dot Day!
Friday, September 13 ~ 10am to 11am
Designed for 2- to 6-year-olds and their adult guardian, this class invites you to explore creativity and art together. We’ll start in the Dining Room of Virginia’s House and then head out to the StoryWalk® trail to enjoy “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds. After our story, we’ll return to Virginia’s House to dive into hands-on crafting with a variety of materials like paints, pencils, and crayons, creating our own Dot Day masterpieces.
Please note: We’ll gather in Virginia’s Dining Room before venturing outside to the StoryWalk® trail. In case of rain or extreme heat, we’ll remain inside Virginia’s House to read the StoryWalk® book.
Please note: *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. Please dress for the weather as part of the class will be outside.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
Under the Sea Magnets ~ Youth Pottery: Ages 7-17
Tuesday, September 17 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm
This youth pottery class is open to children 7 to 17, no prerequisite or experience is required.
Your little one will love this fun-filled class all about sea creatures! In this “fin-tastic” session, your child will create 5 to 10 magnets inspired by life under the sea, featuring sea stars, dolphins, sharks, and more. Each mini magnet will be painted by your child, then fired and glazed for a shiny finish.
Once completed, 577 will attach magnets to the back, making them perfect for displaying on your fridge as a delightful deepwater scene. Pickup will be scheduled 2 to 3 weeks after the class, and you’ll receive an email notification when they’re ready.
Please note: Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Students may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time. Please remember to try and be on time.
577 Staff Instructor: Emily Horst
Class Locations & Parking Map
Signed up for a class and need help finding your classroom location and parking? Each class description lists its location. Click the button below to view a full map of the grounds and buildings with two lots available for easy and convenient parking.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Because space is limited, we rely on you to register for classes thoughtfully. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes as affordably as possible by adhering to the following registration, cancellation, and refund policies.
Photo & Video Release
Photos and videos may be taken during 577 classes and events for use on our website and other relevant media outlets and your attendance constitutes consent. View the full policy below including how you can opt-out of this release.