Teen Wild School (ages 11-15) FREE

This is once a month program where we will learn about nature, create art, and make food! Classes will be held in historic apple orchard at Heritage Pond on Friday afternoons. Students can expect to have fun spending time with their friends (and making new ones) while getting their hands dirty with a variety of fun nature based projects. Students will have opportunities to practice collaboration, build confidence, and contribute to community projects happening at Heritage Pond.

You can choose to have your student meet us outside of La Grande Middle School at 3pm to walk over to the pond with us. Or just meet us at the pond at 3:30pm.

Teachers: Amanda Welch & Samantha Baybado

Amanda Welch teaches art at Stella Mayfield Elementary School in Elgin, Oregon, and has a master’s degree in Arts Education. Although her main focus is fiber art, she spends a lot of time working with various mediums such as painting, photography and ceramics. She is also a mom of four and helps coach the La Grande Swim Club and has taught Wild School classes for five years.

Samantha Baybado is a lifelong local artist specializing in visual art. Since 2014, she has been a jewelry vendor at the La Grande Farmers Market where she sells her own art, jewelry, and tie dyes with her two kids. She has worked for the school district and gained plenty of hands-on experience with teaching in a structured environment and sharing her artistic knowledge with children. Samantha brings her skills, techniques, and drive to every teaching opportunity.

Cost: Free

Location: Heritage Pond Education Center located at 913 South Miller Drive in La Grande

This free class is made possible by a grant from The Gray Family Foundation and Wildhorse Foundation.

Host or Publisher Blue Mountains Conservancy