Penland Kids Out of the Box
Please note: This is the general registration form. If you are requesting a scholarship, please click here. Scholarships for Out of the Box! Kits are available to residents of Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties.
Out of the Box! Kits are designed by Penland Kids' instructors so that you can enjoy a bit of Penland from home. Kits contain a week's worth of activities, similar to a half-day camp, with instructions and all the materials you'll need (with the occasional exception of a common household item such as a cup for water or a paper towel).
Out of the Box! Minis Same as above, but Minis contain approximately two day's worth of activities (similar to two half days at camp).
Safety
We are very mindful of keeping things safe in light of Covid-19, so we'll be using gloves and masks when assembling the kits, and will ensure that materials sit untouched for a minimum of 3 days before they're distributed. All materials in the kits are certified non-toxic.
Video Content
For those with slow internet connections, we can send video content on a USB flash drive instead of by email. Please indicate your choice in the "How shall we send your video content?" section below.
Pickup and Shipping
- Each kit has a Kit Available date in the listing to indicate the first possible date for pickup or shipping.
- Kits can either be picked up at Penland or shipped via priority mail.
- Pickups will be arranged in advance-we'll contact you to set a date and time.
- Shipping costs are actual USPS rates. There are ordering options below each kit. Please choose the one that's applicable to you-tax and shipping are already factored into the cost.
Registration
Please fill this form out separately for each shipping location. Email communityeducation@penland.org with questions or special requests.
Creative Play with Clay
Full Out of the Box! Kit
Instructor: Anna Early
Ages: 3 to 6
Kit available: Now! Please allow 5-7 days after order is placed for it to be shipped.
Kit price: $100.00
Explore possibilities, discover backyard wonders, and let imaginations run wild while gaining handbuilding skills with clay. For this age group, the joy of playing and creating is the primary focus, so clay pieces will not be fired. On the shelf they’ll last forever, but they won’t be for functional use. Kit contains a wealth of materials & tools, and instructions for making small pots, buttons and beads, ornaments, miniature fantasy lands, nests with birds and eggs, and tiles. Parental supervision is required.
Anna teaches at Spruce Pine Montessori School. She has enjoyed sharing a love of arts and crafts with children at camps and classes for many years.
$106.75
---
$124.10
---
$116.25
---
Around the World Through Stories
Full Out of the Box! Kit
Instructor: Preeti Happer
Ages: 6 to 9
Kit available: July 15th
Kit price: $ 80.00
Children will "travel” through five countries in five days: India, Tanzania, Mexico, China and Indonesia (Bali). They’ll be introduced to each country through images and a tale, and make a traditional craft from the country. At the end of each day, children will get to "stamp" their "passport". Kit contains written and video instructions and all the supplies needed to create a traditional Indian rangoli using radial symmetry, a Tanzanian recycled bead necklace, a Mexican "papel picado" banner, a Chinese paper lantern, and a Bali Barong mask.
Preeti has been an international educator for over 20 years. She was born in Tanzania and is currently residing in Bali, Indonesia. Preeti is passionate about bringing awareness of other cultures to children.
$85.40
---
$102.75
---
$96.25
---
Wonderful, Colorful Artists
Full Out of the Box! Kit
Instructor: Selma Neel
Ages: 6 to 9
Kit available: Now! Please allow 5-7 days after order is placed for it to be shipped.
Kit price: $ 90.00
Learn about inspiring artists who have painted the world with vibrant color! Explore the basics of working with acrylic paint as you get to know five artists who will provide you with inspiration for fun, colorful, and exciting paintings: Yayoi Kusama, Frida Kahlo, Alma Thomas, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Rafael López. Together we will capture the joy and magic of color through our art! This kit contains video and written instructions and all the supplies you’ll need to complete the projects. Parental supervision is suggested.
Selma is a licensed elementary teacher currently teaching 1st and 2nd grade at Odyssey Community School in Asheville where she designed an integral arts unit that incorporates history, culture, personal exploration and art.
$96.08
---
$113.42
---
$106.25
---
Wooden Toys, Tall Tales, and Traditional Tunes
Full Out of the Box! Kit
Instructor: Sam Maren
Ages: 7 to 10
Kit available: Now! Please allow 5-7 days after order is placed for it to be shipped.
Kit price: $ 115.00
Using hand woodworking tools, students will explore the rich tradition of creating simple, functional, and often very clever wooden toys for a fun week of learning about this Appalachian tradition. Make one of the toy projects each day using pre-cut wooden pieces, then enjoy the video of traditional storytelling and songs with Mr. Sam. Kit contains written and video instructions and everything you’ll need to make a Spinning Top, Flying Whirligig, Racing Car, Tug Boat, and Stumpf Fiddle.
Sam is a folk musician and woodworker. He has worked with Toe River Arts in the Enhanced Arts for Preschool program, as a resident artist in Mitchell County Schools, and with Penland’s children’s programs for many years.
$122.76
---
$140.11
---
$131.25
---
Sensational Snakes
Full Out of the Box! Kit
Instructor: Jeff Menzer
Ages: 9 to 12
Kit available: July 15th
Kit price: $ 115.00
Snakes are powerful, no doubt about it. Explore both art and biology as you make, draw, sand, and paint a variety of legless, armless wonders. Along the way, you’ll explore snake facts and fiction, learn why Western NC native snakes are such a vital part of southeastern ecology and folk history, and brush up on the basics of field identification. Kit contains written and video instructions, and all the tools and supplies needed to create bottle cap snakes, folk art stick snakes, and intertwining snake drawings.
Mr. Jeff has taught art to children through the WNC Nature Center, the Little Middle Folk School at John C. Campbell, and Arts in the Schools programs in rural western NC since 1996.
$122.76
---
$140.11
---
$131.25
---
Printmaking 101
Out of the Box! Mini Kit
Instructor: Cassie Floan
Ages: 13 to 18
Kit available: June 15th
Kit price: $ 59.00
A fun introduction to a variety of processes, materials, and printmaking methods. Learn about the basics of printmaking, looking at traditional methods and incorporating contemporary techniques. Kit contains written and video instructions, and everything you’ll need to try out monoprinting, packing tape transfers, and lino cuts. A blend of concepts for all abilities, be ready with a creative spark and a cleared table!
Cassie is an educator, photographer, and artist. She teaches at Spruce Pine Montessori and has worked as an artist-in-residence through Toe River Arts and taught Kids Camp with Penland’s children's programs for many years.
$62.98
---
$80.33
---
$75.25
---
