Youth and family class topics mirror adult programming with subjects such as arts, nature, gardening, skill-building, and more. Current offerings are limited due to the pandemic but look for more classes soon. 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
Kids Explore Nature: Mushrooms
Saturday, September 23 ~ 10am to 12pm
Join us on a journey of scientific exploration to learn about the fascinating world of fungi. Designed for kids ages 4 to 7 with an adult guardian, students will discover why mushrooms are important in nature by hunting for samples on the 577 grounds and making mushroom-themed crafts.
Please register each child attending. Adults are free and do not need to register. Class meets at the outdoor stage ~ please dress for the weather.
Community Instructor: Nancy and John Salerno
Kids Explore Nature: Spiders!
Saturday, October 21 ~ 10am to 12pm
Are spiders spooky or just misunderstood? Join us for a fun class designed for 4 to 7-year-olds with an adult guardian, to learn how spiders are nature’s civil engineers. Kids will explore the 577 grounds to hunt for spiders and their webs and make a spider-themed craft.
*Cost is per child–please register each child attending. Adults are free and caregivers should attend class with their child.
Community Instructors: John and Nancy Salerno
Pumpkins & Leaves ~ Youth Pottery for Ages 8 to 17
Monday, September 25 ~ 5:30pm to 7pm
This class is open to children ages 8 to 17. No prerequisite or experience is required.
Join Emily, our Pottery Fellow, in this fun class using clay to express your creativity! Learn to make a couple of pinch pot pumpkins, as well as a few leaves that can be gently shaped into low bowl-style pieces.
Emily will begin class with a demonstration of the basics of pinch and slab building. After creating your pieces, she will provide guidance on how you can decorate them using underglazes. The 577’s pottery staff will fire and glaze the pieces using the color choices students chose during class. Pick-up is scheduled for a couple of weeks later. Students will receive notification via email.
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 be on time.
No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!
Mini Food Magnets ~ Youth Pottery for Ages 8 to 17
Wednesday, October 11 ~ 4pm to 5:30pm
This class is open to children ages 8 to 17. No prerequisite or experience is required.
Join Emily, our Pottery Fellow, in this fun class using clay to express your creativity! Need to spruce up your school locker or fridge? Don’t miss this class as we learn how to make several cute food-themed magnets including little slices of pizza, sushi, lemon slices, and candy.
Emily will begin class with a demonstration of how to use simple slab, coil or pinch techniques and then how you can paint them with underglazes (liquid-colored clay) to bring them to life!
The 577’s pottery staff will fire and glaze the pieces in clear glaze. After firing, staff will attach the magnets to each of your pieces. Pick-up is scheduled for a couple of weeks later. Students will receive notification via email.
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 be on time.
No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!
October Family Pottery: For Ages 6 to 17 w/ Adult
Thursday, October 26 ~ 4pm to 5:30pm
This family pottery class is open to children 6 to 17 with an adult over 18, no prerequisite or experience is required.
Join Emily, our Pottery Fellow, in this family clay class, where both adult and child can enjoy an exploration of hand-built pottery projects. Join us for a fun afternoon making acorn pinch pots with optional lids. These acorns will be the cutest little holders of your special things or will make great decorations for a fall table or bookshelf! Depending on time constraints, each participant will make a large acorn with the possibility of adding smaller ones.
Emily will walk you through each step of the process. The 577’s pottery staff will fire and glaze the pieces in two colors of brown. The lid/top one will be glazed brown with the base of the acorn glazed in a contrasting brown. You will receive a notification via email a couple of weeks later about a pickup date.
No experience is necessary. Come play in the clay!
Class Registration Requirments:
• Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 6 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.
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.