PANORAMA
SUMMER ART + NATURE PROGRAM
Dive into Frederic Church’s Olana this summer during PANORAMA: Summer Art + Nature Program. Back for its 17th annual season, The Olana Partnership will offer five weeks of hands-on exploration for children ages 6-11 from July to August at Olana State Historic Site. Experience art, science, architecture and nature through sketching, lake exploration, hiking, painting, play, and more, all while meeting new friends and learning from experts. The whole summer focuses on exploring art and nature with special guest visits and creative activities. Each week includes a visit to the historic house. You don’t want to miss this unforgettable summer adventure!
The program runs Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM. Secure your space! Early bird registration is available from December 20, 2025 through February 1, 2026. Registration will close on June 1, 2026. Space is limited.
Week 1: July 13-17, 2026
Week 2: July 20-24, 2026
Week 3: July 27-31, 2026
Week 4: August 3-7, 2026
Week 5: August 10-14, 2026
This program is SOLD OUT. Email education@olana.org if you would like to be added to our waitlist!
“It is one of the best camps in the area- varied activities and educational” – Panorama Parent
Week 1
Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Learn more about science and nature at OLANA! Get inspired by artist Frederic Church’s own passion for the natural world with hikes, science experiments, and observational studies and sketches in the landscape. You will discover Olana’s 250-acre artist-designed landscape and learn all about habitats, animals, and ecosystems. Get to know the creatures of Olana by observing insects in the meadow, watching frogs and snails in the lake, and keeping an eye out for the birds and mammals that call the site home in addition to visiting the inside of Olana’s historic house.
Week 2
Monday, July 20 – Friday, July 24 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Explore Olana through the lens of Church’s global travels, learning more about the range of cultures, countries, and artwork that inspired the artist. Learn more about the places Church and his family traveled in South America, the Middle East, and Central America through artmaking prompts, fun games, and by looking closely at Olana’s collection of art and objects. Make your own artist maps and unique scrapbooks to document fun discoveries throughout the week. Connect with new friends and the special Hudson Valley landscape during outdoor games and on sketching hikes. This week will include a special historic house visit focused on Olana’s global collections.
Week 3
Monday, July 27 – Friday, July 31 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sketch, snip, and splatter with paint, collage, or charcoal during this art-filled week! Find artistic inspiration and make new friends as you spend time sketching at the tops of Olana’s hills, painting next to the pond, and creating collaborative artworks. Teaching artists and museum educators will help you discover your own artistic talents by experimenting with professional art materials like canvas, charcoal, acrylic paint, and more. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the historic house during this special art-focused week!
Week 4
Monday, August 3 – Friday, August 7 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Create your own works of art in not one, not two, but THREE dimensions during this exciting fun-filled week! In this 3D art-focused week you will create your own sculptures, build your own architectural works, and dive into artistic traditions from around the world. Taught by local teaching artists and educators, you will learn to use professional art materials like clay, wire, papier mâché and more! Get inspired by Frederic Church’s works of art, historic house, and collections from around the world by playing games to get you thinking like an artist.
Week 5
Monday, August 10 – Friday, August 14 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Dive into Olana’s ecology during this nature-filled week at OLANA! Become an expert naturalist by learning more about Olana’s man-made lake, meadows, and forests. You’ll get to know the landscape through hikes, visits with special guests, and activities designed to teach you more about the Hudson Valley’s habitats and ecosystems. In addition to nature-themed games and projects, this week will also include an animal-focused visit to the main house, oriented around the objects in Church’s collection that relate to the natural world.
Safety Guidelines:
Olana State Historic Site is a New York State Park and continues to adhere to CDC/NYS COVID-19 guidelines.
Location:
This program occurs in Olana’s indoor classroom space, outside the Wagon House Education Center, and throughout the site.
Cost:
The cost of attendance is $350 a week for The Olana Partnership members and $450 a week for non-members. Membership rates are only available to dual level members and above. To become a member, visit OLANA.org/membership.
Full scholarships and financial support for transportation are available for students who attend Title 1 schools and/or receive SNAP and EBT benefits. To apply for funding or to learn more email education@olana.org.
This program is run by The Olana Partnership’s team of teaching artists and educators and occurs in Olana’s indoor classroom space, outside the Wagon House Education Center, and throughout the site. Olana State Historic Site is a New York State Park and continues to adhere to CDC/NYS COVID-19 guidelines. Each week will run Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM. Early bird registration is open January 1 through February 1. Registration will close on June 1, 2025. Space is limited.
Full refunds can be issued for any cancellations made before June 1. After that date, refunds will be processed on a case-by-case basis depending on if open slots can be filled.
To become a member, visit OLANA.org/membership.
Wagon House Education Center programming is made possible in part through support provided by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency; the Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation; The William H. Pitt Foundation, Inc.; Stewart’s Shops; the Bank of Greene County; and the members of The Olana Partnership.
