Kids and the Park
Glen Echo has always been an enchanting place for children. Activities for kids
include puppet shows, children's theater, exploring nature, making crafts, romping
in the playground and of course, riding the famous Dentzel Carousel.
Carousel Schedule
One of the greater Washington area's true treasures, the historic Glen Echo Park Dentzel carousel is in its 88th year. The carousel will open for the season on Saturday, April 26 with our Family Day Celebration. Carousel tickets are $1.00 each and all riders require a ticket. Please join us for a ride on this historic treasure!
April 26 through June 29: Wednesday & Thursday - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday - Noon to 6:00 p.m.
July 2 through August 31: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday - Noon to 6:00 p.m.
September 6 though 28: Saturday & Sunday - Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Camps at the Park
Spring, summer, and even winter camps for children and teens are offered by the resident groups listed on this page and by other resident groups at the Park. In addition, the Glen Echo Park Partnership partners with other organizations and individual instructors to bring more exciting camps to the Park, including: Mystery Academy magic camps, the “Ghanu the Good News Turtle” series, arts and crafts camps presented by VisArts Center and the Corcoran, Irish dance camps with the Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance, calligraphy and wearable art, clay animation, cartooning and more.
Programs for Children
Drawing, Painting and Crafts
The Young Creative Spirit is the children's art residency at Glen Echo Park.
Coordinated by artists/instructors Katherine T. Andrle and Cathie Nelsen, the
center's goal is to serve the community by providing art instruction to children,
and to broaden their appreciation of the world by giving them an outlet for
creative expression. The program encourages children to trust their own interpretations
and uses a wide variety of media to expand their experience. Serving ages 5
through 12.
Phone: 301.980.1538 and 301.229.5282. Web site:
www.youngcreativespirit.org
Take a class or camp
The Corcoran's Continuing Education program provides students of all skill
levels the opportunity to explore their interests in studio art ranging from
drawing and painting to graphic and jewelry design. Each semester offers a
new range of courses to entice novice and advanced students alike. Students
at the College's new CE satellite location at Glen Echo Park will enjoy all
the resources available to the other students at the Downtown and Georgetown
Campuses including access to the College's library and opportunities to visit
the Corcoran Gallery of Art's outstanding collection.
Web site: www.corcoran.edu/ce
Take a class.
Clay Animation offers classes and camps for the future movie maker.
Web site:
www.www.claymovie.com
Take a class or camp.
Parent and child classes in arts and crafts and textiles.
Take a class or camp.
Environmental Education Programs
Discovery Creek Children's Museum is located in the former Stables building
at Glen Echo Park. Environment, history, and the arts are brought to life in
a variety of innovative educational programs and exhibitions designed for children
up to age 12. Focusing on a mission to help all children experience, appreciate
and become stewards of the natural environment, Discovery Creek offers exhibitions,
student and teacher programs, weekend family programs, birthday parties, and
seasonal camps.
Phone: 202.337.5111. Web site:
www.discoverycreek.org
Take a class or camp
Puppetry
The Puppet Co. Playhouse is one of the few puppet theaters in the United States
built from the ground up specifically for puppetry. The new facility, finished
in 2003, was designed for the greatest sensory experience for viewers of all
ages, and seats up to 250 people. The Puppet Co. presents a selection of performances
from their repertory of over twenty different productions and also hosts' shows
by visiting production companies. They present a total of about 475 performances
annually, and are one of the few year-round puppet theaters on the East Coast.
They have been cited in both local and national media for the unique nature
of their programs, and the artistic excellence of their presentations.
Phone: 301.320.6668. Web site:
www.thepuppetco.org
Take a class
Theater
Adventure Theatre, founded in 1951, is the Washington area's longest running
children's theater. We are committed to using theatrical arts to entertain,
educate and enrich the lives of children and their families by providing fully
staged live productions of fables, fairy tales, popular stories, musicals and
children's classics. Performances are appropriate for children four and up.
We also offer classes and workshops in all phases of the dramatic arts. The
theater is located in the Arcade building.
Phone: 301.634.2270. Web site:
www.adventuretheatre.org
Take a class or camp
Writing
The Writer's Center was founded in 1976 and has become one of the leading independent
literary centers in the United States. It is an open membership organization
of 2,500 writers, editors, students, small-press publishers and other artists.
The goal is to promote the art of writing and to build a community of writers,
workshop leaders, publishers and audiences for contemporary writing. They offer
workshops year-round for writers of all ages and abilities in fiction, feature
writing, essay, memoir, poetry, playwriting and screenwriting, and business
writing. The Partnership is pleased to welcome the Writer's Center to the Park.
To register for classes please visit their website directly.
Web site:
www.writer.org
Take a class.
Dance and Movement Classes
Music Together classes build on your child's natural enthusiasm for music and
movement. They help you provide your child with the basic musical skills needed
to enjoy participating in school and mucical activities, and to formally study
an instrument should he or she choose to do so. Moreover, the development of
musical skills significantly benefits a child's physical, emotional and intellectual
development.
Take a class.
Yoga for strength, relaxation and fun! Parent and child classes are now offered.
Hoola Hooping is back. Hoop for fun and fitness.
Take a class.
Monthly social family dances are offered for children and families.
Visit our calendar page.
Music
Learn to play Rock guitar and hone your skills.
Take a class