Upcoming events.
Forest Tea Time
Caregivers and children are invited to join us for a sweet little ramble through our forest, engaging in developmentally enriching activities in the process. For ages birth - 6. This is a caregiver/child program, not a drop-off, and sliding scale rates apply. Registration is required; visit our “Book a Class” page to sign up!
Pajama Playtime
Join us for a little nighttime fun! This is a chance for parents & caregivers to get some grown-up time, while kiddos get to experience the thrill of all that makes nighttime magical. From flashlight play to disco dance parties to cozy story times, we hope you’ll come play with us soon!
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
Forest Tea Time
Caregivers and children are invited to join us for a sweet little ramble through our forest, engaging in developmentally enriching activities in the process. For ages birth - 6. This is a caregiver/child program, not a drop-off, and sliding scale rates apply. Registration is required; visit our “Book a Class” page to sign up!
Family Yoga
For all the parents and caregivers who could use a little more movement in your lives…We’ll start off from 9 - 9:30 with a fun, playful child/caregiver mindfulness session. Then, from 9:30 - 10:30, kids explore our yard and play spaces with Wheelhouse staff, while grown-ups get a little quiet yoga session of their own.
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
Forest Tea Time
Caregivers and children are invited to join us for a sweet little ramble through our forest, engaging in developmentally enriching activities in the process. For ages birth - 6. This is a caregiver/child program, not a drop-off, and sliding scale rates apply. Registration is required; visit our “Book a Class” page to sign up!
Family Yoga
For all the parents and caregivers who could use a little more movement in your lives…We’ll start off from 9 - 9:30 with a fun, playful child/caregiver mindfulness session. Then, from 9:30 - 10:30, kids explore our yard and play spaces with Wheelhouse staff, while grown-ups get a little quiet yoga session of their own.
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
Clothing Swap
Give your and your kids’ closet a sustainable refresh! Find homes for the items you are ready to let go of, and bring home some new treasures. We welcome kids’ and adults’ clothing, and a few small housewares are ok too. Free of charge and open to all.
Forest Tea Time
Caregivers and children are invited to join us for a sweet little ramble through our forest, engaging in developmentally enriching activities in the process. For ages birth - 6. This is a caregiver/child program, not a drop-off, and sliding scale rates apply. Registration is required; visit our “Book a Class” page to sign up!
Family Yoga
For all the parents and caregivers who could use a little more movement in your lives…We’ll start off from 9 - 9:30 with a fun, playful child/caregiver mindfulness session. Then, from 9:30 - 10:30, kids explore our yard and play spaces with Wheelhouse staff, while grown-ups get a little quiet yoga session of their own.
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
Forest Tea Time
Caregivers and children are invited to join us for a sweet little ramble through our forest, engaging in developmentally enriching activities in the process. For ages birth - 6. This is a caregiver/child program, not a drop-off, and sliding scale rates apply. Registration is required; visit our “Book a Class” page to sign up!
You-Don't-Have-to-Cook Taco Potluck Night!
Take a little break…Bring your kids, and come play in our play yard and classroom spaces while we make your family dinner! We’ll provide the basics (beans, rice, cheese, tortillas - both wheat flour & gluten-free), you bring your favorite toppings and make your own tacos for your crew. Grown-ups chat, kids play, and everyone gets home before the witching hour begins. Every second Thursday. Hope to see you!
Family Yoga
For all the parents and caregivers who could use a little more movement in your lives…We’ll start off from 9 - 9:30 with a fun, playful child/caregiver mindfulness session. Then, from 9:30 - 10:30, kids explore our yard and play spaces with Wheelhouse staff, while grown-ups get a little quiet yoga session of their own.
Community Work Party
Come learn new skills and build our community space together! We’ll be sprucing up our space for summer camp with garden projects, campsite decorating, maybe a couple little building projects, and more. We’ll have a project for every skill set, and then we will feed you lunch!
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
Forest Tea Time
Caregivers and children are invited to join us for a sweet little ramble through our forest, engaging in developmentally enriching activities in the process. For ages birth - 6. This is a caregiver/child program, not a drop-off, and sliding scale rates apply. Registration is required; visit our “Book a Class” page to sign up!
Pajama Playtime
Join us for a little nighttime fun! This is a chance for parents & caregivers to get some grown-up time, while kiddos get to experience the thrill of all that makes nighttime magical. From flashlight play to disco dance parties to cozy story times, we hope you’ll come play with us soon!
Forest Tea Time
Caregivers and children are invited to join us for a sweet little ramble through our forest, engaging in developmentally enriching activities in the process. For ages birth - 6. This is a caregiver/child program, not a drop-off, and sliding scale rates apply. Registration is required; visit our “Book a Class” page to sign up!
You-Don't-Have-to-Cook Taco Potluck Night!
Take a little break…Bring your kids, and come play in our play yard and classroom spaces while we make your family dinner! We’ll provide the basics (beans, rice, cheese, tortillas - both wheat flour & gluten-free), you bring your favorite toppings and make your own tacos for your crew. Grown-ups chat, kids play, and everyone gets home before the witching hour begins. Every second Thursday. Hope to see you!
You-Don't-Have-to-Cook Taco Potluck Night!
Take a little break…Bring your kids, and come play in our play yard and classroom spaces while we make your family dinner! We’ll provide the basics (beans, rice, cheese, tortillas - both wheat flour & gluten-free), you bring your favorite toppings and make your own tacos for your crew. Grown-ups chat, kids play, and everyone gets home before the witching hour begins. Every second Thursday. Hope to see you!
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
You-Don't-Have-to-Cook Taco Potluck Night!
Take a little break…Bring your kids, and come play in our play yard and classroom spaces while we make your family dinner! We’ll provide the basics (beans, rice, cheese, tortillas - both wheat flour & gluten-free), you bring your favorite toppings and make your own tacos for your crew. Grown-ups chat, kids play, and everyone gets home before the witching hour begins. Every second Thursday. Hope to see you!
Forest Tea Time
Caregivers and children are invited to join us for a sweet little ramble through our forest, engaging in developmentally enriching activities in the process. For ages birth - 6. This is a caregiver/child program, not a drop-off, and sliding scale rates apply. Registration is required; visit our “Book a Class” page to sign up!
Vacationland Spring Break Camp: Session 2
Kids get to plan an elaborate vacation playland - merging ideas to build an immersive world of imagined spaces and experiences in the indoor and outdoor classrooms at Wheelhouse Creative Education Center.
By Friday afternoon, families will be led through our created world by their own tour guide. Take home custom memorabilia to forever remember this epic vacation!
Join artist educator Chelsea Snider in making pretend!
Who knows WHERE we’ll go??? Beach party? Discoteque? Lei-making? Screenprinting? Spa Treatments? Outdoor Adventuring? Postcard Press? Karaoke? Yes!!!
Registration is required.
Pajama Playtime
Join us for a little nighttime fun! This is a chance for parents & caregivers to get some grown-up time, while kiddos get to experience the thrill of all that makes nighttime magical. From flashlight play to disco dance parties to cozy story times, we hope you’ll come play with us soon!
Homeschool Community Conversation
Homeschooling or Homeschool curious?
This gathering seeks to bring together members of our local homeschool community to share resources, needs, and wishes. We would love to grow our ability to be a resource for the homeschool community, and we’d love to talk with you!
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
Free Book Fair
Come stock your library with new treasures. It’s time to pass along some of our out-of-hand book collection, and we hope you will come grab some!
Creative Play Session: Monster Mania
Join us for a stimulating playtime involving creative activities led by staff, along with time for open exploration in our play space. In this session, we will create our own monster-themed crafts to bring home.
Creative Play Session: Potion Lab
Join us for a stimulating playtime involving creative activities led by staff, along with time for open exploration in our play space. In this session, we explore kid-safe potion ingredients and chemical reactions, and perhaps even create some useful potions to take home.
Creative Play Session: Enchanted Forest
Join us for a stimulating playtime involving creative activities led by staff, along with time for open exploration in our play space. In this session, we will let our imaginations run wild, dreaming of the many magical possibilities that could exist in our forest. Fairy houses? Gnome homes? Come find out!
Creative Play Session: Light & Shadow Explorations
Join us for a stimulating playtime involving creative activities led by staff, along with time for open exploration in our play space. In this session, we will explore the many beautiful effects that can be created with shadow puppets, flashlights, projectors, and more.
Creative Play Session: April Fool! Pranks, Jokes & Magic Tricks
Join us for a stimulating playtime involving creative activities led by staff, along with time for open exploration in our play space. In this session, kids will have a chance to check out some friendly pranks and jokes, and to bring some samples of their own home.
Vacationland Spring Break Camp: Session 1
Kids get to plan an elaborate vacation playland - merging ideas to build an immersive world of imagined spaces and experiences in the indoor and outdoor classrooms at Wheelhouse Creative Education Center.
By Friday afternoon, families will be led through our created world by their own tour guide. Take home custom memorabilia to forever remember this epic vacation!
Join artist educator Chelsea Snider in making pretend!
Who knows WHERE we’ll go??? Beach party? Discoteque? Lei-making? Screenprinting? Spa Treatments? Outdoor Adventuring? Postcard Press? Karaoke? Yes!!!
Registration is Required.
Homeschool Community Conversation
Homeschooling or Homeschool curious?
This gathering seeks to bring together members of our local homeschool community to share resources, needs, and wishes. We would love to grow our ability to be a resource for the homeschool community, and we’d love to talk with you!
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
Pajama Playtime
Join us for a little nighttime fun! This is a chance for parents & caregivers to get some grown-up time, while kiddos get to experience the thrill of all that makes nighttime magical. From flashlight play to disco dance parties to cozy story times, we hope you’ll come play with us soon!
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
Open Playtime & Kids' Studio
Enjoy some social playtime in our outdoor play yard and indoor classroom spaces. If you have restless kiddos who need an outing, bring them to visit the Wheelhouse! This is a drop-in free program, no registration is required.
February School Break Camp: WILD RUMPUS WINTER BREAK!
February School Break Camp: WILD RUMPUS WINTER BREAK!
With Ms. Chelsea
Ages: 4-12
Schedule: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., February 19 - 23, 2024
Tuition: $375, Materials Fee: $25
Financial assistance is available; please contact alanna@catskillwheelhouse.org for more information.
Add language arts, self-control, emotional embodiment, and social interactions to your child’s “Wheelhouse” with our winter break vacation camp on story immersion through play-based exploration! This program will offer a comfortable, home-like atmosphere for explorations of themes that emerge from readings of “Where The Wild Things Are” and other books by Maurice Sendak and the collective play of the classroom community.
This winter we will run wild in the forest of our imagination as we explore the books of author Maurice Sendak, with themes of transformed spaces, working together, playing with words, building characters, and conquering worlds.
Our gentle daily rhythm will include outdoor play (including frequent walks in our nine acres of forest), frequent breaks and meals, a time for listening to and creating stories and songs, and an art activity based on our daily story theme.
Daily Flow:
9:00 “Welcome!” Open play
9:45 Gather for Chat & Snack
10:00 Reading & song
10:30 Turn on our mindfulness before “booting up”
10:45 Play outside!
12:00 Warm up & Luncheon
12:30 Quiet Play
1:30 Turn on our mindfulness before “booting up”
1:45 Walk to Song & Story Spot
2:00 Outdoor Exploration of Story
2:45 Play Yard
3:00 “Toodaloo!”
Daily Exploration of Story & Methods
Monday: What is the story? Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Tuesday: Play & Move with the story
Wednesday: Story listening & sound-making
Thursday: Visual story with puppets and projections
Friday: Story Theatre with “toybox” theater & figure-making
Winter Holiday Camp: Foraged Crafting Dec 27-29
Little ones unwind from the bustling holiday shuffle with focused handwork and crafts made from found forest objects.
Our gentle daily rhythm will include outdoor play (including frequent walks in our nine acres of forest), frequent breaks and meals, a time for listening to and creating stories and songs, two daily art projects and an ongoing collaborative art activity.
Daily Flow:
9:00 “Welcome!” Open play
9:45 Gather for Chat & Snack
10:00 Nature Craft Project 1
10:30 Turn on our mindfulness before “booting up”
10:45 Forest Play
12:00 Warm up & Luncheon
12:30 Quiet Play
1:30 Story
1:45 Nature Craft Project 2
2:15 Play Yard
3:00 “Toodaloo!”
DAILY CRAFTS
Wednesday Dec 27
Twig letters
Clay impression plate (ready to take home on Friday)
Thursday Dec 28
Pine cone garland
Mother-Spider Mobile
Friday Dec 29
Crown and wand
Story-wreath
Pajama Playtime: Open Play Caregiver Night Out Drop-off Session
All children currently enrolled in Wheelhouse Preschool may attend. Children ages 4 - 12 who are not currently enrolled in Wheelhouse Preschool, and who can use the bathroom independently, may also attend.
Have your kiddos join us for a little night time fun! Pajama Playtime will include all the things that are fun about nighttime…playing with flashlights and shadows…learning about the moon and starts…story time…getting cozy with stuffed animals.
Pizza dinner is included!
Rates per session:
Tier 1 - Subsidized Rate: $25/session
Tier 2 - Standard Rate: $35/session
Tier 3 - Sponsor Rate: $45/session
Additional Siblings: $10 per child
Fee Guidelines (please self-select your rate after reviewing these suggested guidelines. Yes, you really just pick the amount you can pay! But please be mindful that the long-term sustainability of our programs depends on our community).
Tier 1 - Subsidized Rate: Recommended for households with annual income below $40,000
Tier 2 - Standard Rate: Recommended for households with annual income between $40,000 - $90,000
Tier 3 - Sponsor Rate: Recommended for households with annual income above $90,000
Community Studio: Open Play
During our Open Play Sessions, one of our experienced educators will engage children in developmentally supportive play while caregivers spend some time in the grown-up world.
Caregiver of children over age 4 may drop off, taking some time for holiday prep, household tasks, relaxation, or whatever you want! Caregivers for very young children must remain on-site due to the developmental needs of this age range, but can take some time to focus on themselves, whether through completing remote work in our office space, taking some time for self-care, or engaging in creative art themselves.
For older children, activities will involve the creative arts and/or a maker space studio. For younger children, this will include open-ended play with developmentally enriching materials. We will spend time outdoors in our play yard, as well as in our Community Studio space. Depending on the age of the children, 1-6 children may participate in a grouping at a time per staff member.
Rates per session:
Tier 1 - Subsidized Rate: $30/session
Tier 2 - Standard Rate: $35/session
Tier 3 - Sponsor Rate: $40/session
Additional Siblings: $10 per child
Holiday Toy Swap
Create some budget-friendly holiday cheer sustainably! Join us for a holiday toy swap and friendly community. Our kid-friendly indoor & outdoor play space will be open to explore. Hope to see you there!
Creature Features
Creature Features Art Class
with Stephanie Dougherty
Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. (ish) - 5:30 p.m.
December 7, 14, & 21
Ages 4-12
Transportation is available from the Cairo-Durham Elementary School.
Bring your imagination to life! Are you dreaming of marvelous monsters, silly forest beings, fantastical fish friends, or galloping unicorns? Is it tricky to get these visions out on paper to show your friends? It helps to learn how to make fur, scales, claws, the joints of a horse's leg, or the proportion of a rabbit's ears. During "Creature Features" we'll learn how to portray various animals, to then apply these features to the vision in your head!
Rates per session:
Tier 1 - Subsidized Rate: $25/session
Tier 2 - Standard Rate: $35/session
Tier 3 - Sponsor Rate: $45/session
Additional Siblings: $10 per child
Fee Guidelines (please self-select your rate after reviewing these suggested guidelines. Yes, you really just pick the amount you can pay! But please be mindful that the long-term sustainability of our programs depends on our community).
Tier 1 - Subsidized Rate: Recommended for households with annual income below $40,000
Tier 2 - Standard Rate: Recommended for households with annual income between $40,000 - $90,000
Tier 3 - Sponsor Rate: Recommended for households with annual income above $90,000
Fall Community Clothing Swap
Open to the public, free to attend, and features clothing for children and adults. Refresh your closets!
Free Saturday Caregiver/Child Playgroup!
Ongoing Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., beginning October 28 with our Halloween Hunt event
Free and open to all kids!
****Please note: this is not a drop-off program. Caregiver attendance is required.
Come hang! This is a simple, free opportunity to get your kiddos out of the house and see some other adults. Saturday Open Play is a casual, drop-in playgroup for the cabin feverish among you in our indoor play space and outdoor play yard (when the weather is friendly). Coffee, tea, and snacks are available by donation.
No registration is required
Halloween Hunt
Check out this free event Saturday Oct 28th!!! No registration required to join.
Open to children all ages, including families with infants and toddlers. Not a drop off program, this event it attended with a caregiver.
Stories of the Forest After School Program
Monday - Thursday, 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., October 11 - January 25
Please note: There is no after school on Fridays.
Open to ages 4-11 years; Also open to children between the ages of 2 years 9 months and 4 years who are currently enrolled in Wheelhouse Preschool
Register for the full semester (October 11 - January 26), with 1-4 day options. Children currently attending Wheelhouse preschool may register for drop-in sessions on a first come first served basis.
This program will offer a comfortable, home-like atmosphere for playful end-of-day explorations of an open-ended sound and narrative “forest performance project” that emerges from the collective play of the classroom community. “Performances” will be recorded and shared internally with families of the classroom.
Our gentle afternoon rhythm will include outdoor play (including frequent walks in our nine acres of forest), frequent snacks (please send two small snacks with your child!), a time for listening to and creating stories and songs, and an art activity based on our daily story theme. Bussing for children in grades K-5 is available from Cairo Elementary School.
Full Semester Registration Rates
One day per week: Tier 1: $375, Tier 2: $450, Tier 3: $525
Two days per week: Tier 1: $750, Tier 2: $900, Tier 3: $1,050
Three days per week: Tier 1: $1,125, Tier 2: $1,350, Tier 3: $1,575
Four days per week: Tier 1: $1,500, Tier 2: $1,800, Tier 3: $2,100
Drop in rates
Tier 1: $30, Tier 2: $35, Tier 3: $45
Sibling discount: 10%
Fee Guidelines (please self-select your rate after reviewing these suggested guidelines. Yes, you really just pick the amount you can pay! But please be mindful that the long-term sustainability of our programs depends on our community).
Tier 1 - Subsidized Rate: Recommended for households with annual income below $40,000
Tier 2 - Standard Rate: Recommended for households with annual income between $40,000 - $90,000
Tier 3 - Sponsor Rate: Recommended for households with annual income above $90,000