Youth & Family Programming with Jen Toddie at the Ely Folk School
- Rachael Pace
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
The Ely Folk School builds programming that encourages growth of creativity, strengthened resilience to trying new things, and opportunity for connection to place, self, others, and material. EFS is proud to be part of an ecosystem building a world where everyone recognizes the value of identifying as a lifelong learner.
Most of our programs focus on adults, since today's world demands that we adults be quite intentional about including learning in our schedules and budgets. However, we’ve been diligently expanding our Youth and Family Programming, designed for our 16 and under community (and their families!). We create youth versions of our most popular programs and give youth the opportunity to explore learning in avenues less traditional to the grade school setting. ✨Learning that is hands-on, ungraded, and accountable to the history, seasons, and heritage of the Northwoods. ✨
As we approach another new season of Youth & Family Programming, we’re excited to take a moment to put a spotlight on Jen Toddie, our Youth Program Coordinator and the programs we’re building with her.
We are also hosting a Creative Kids Open House on Friday, May 29th, 4-6pm, if you'd like to meet Jen in person and learn more about our 2026 Summer Youth & Family Programming.
The first iteration of our kids programming began in 2022 where we worked with Ely Community Resource (ECR) to host Kids Makers Mornings every Friday. Lucy, Alexia, and Ryan Stewart, the Family Resource Facilitator at ECR ran these programs that first summer.
Jen’s first experience with the folk school was signing her daughter, Asa, up for this program! From there, Jen became more involved with EFS and pitched us the idea for a preschool-aged program - her dream, having previously taught in a preschool. Jen has been working with us since 2023 helping our Youth & Family Programs develop into what they are today, with a strong focus on autonomy, play, and relationships.
Jen’s approach to youth education is “experiential, kid-driven, play-based, and allowing for awe” With a history of working with kids from preschool through high school and a Masters in Education, Jen’s philosophy has always been rooted in meeting every child where they are. From shy and nervous to outgoing and chatty - Jen brings everyone together in a space filled with laughter, creativity, and belonging.
For her, it all starts with building a relationship with each individual child: “Seeing each kid and how they show up, I work to make a connection with them, however that looks like for each kid. It could be holding their hand or just sitting down next to them and hammering nails, but no matter how it looks, it all starts with the relationship. And that’s why kids want to come back because of the relationships they build with each other, the mentors, and the instructors.” In laying this foundation, it helps each kid feel seen and therefore feel more comfortable, which in turn sets the tone for a positive experience, for both the kids as individuals and as a group.
Jen designs EFS Youth programming with a high level of respect for the children, their capabilities, and all the ways in which they see the world:
“We trust them to do a lot of things with our materials and tools and through that they become proud and confident.”
Jen also shared that she loves observing how kids approach the activities: “That’s a great piece of this whole program, kids are able to learn new skills and work on projects without time constraints (for the most part). While they are given guidance and instruction, they are so self-directed and can really go in directions that lead them to places that are kind of mysterious. There isn’t a prescription for what they have to do.” The radical trust given to everyone who participates in EFS programming is crucial for kids to unlock those mysterious and exciting places within themselves.
We keep class sizes small in order for this to happen. We want the kids to have a full class experience with the time, space, and access to the tools and materials, just like any other EFS program. And, like most folk school classes, we take a process-oriented approach rather than focus wholly on the end product. Jen says, "It’s about inspiring that sense of awe and wonder as opposed to having to make something turn out a certain way." The importance of building strong, resilient, and joyful community is woven through all programs. In this emphasis on social creativity and growth, youth are not only tapping into their creative expression, but also fortifying their character through social-emotional learning.
Summer 2026 Youth & Family Program Schedule
Join us on Friday, May 29th, 4-6pm for our Creative Kids Open House.
We'll have some chalk and paper marking fun (markers, pencils, crayons) for kids to explore while the grown-ups learn about our Creative Kids classes and The Chickadee Club. Jen and some of our Youth & Family Programs instructors will be in attendance to answer questions and talk about their craft. Enjoy this meet and greet, have a small snack, and enjoy the campfire. See examples of previous student work and get your questions answered.
The Chickadee Club is a folk school experience designed for our littlest making hands, hearts and minds. Children ages 4-5 are invited to explore their imaginations through arts and crafts, storytelling, music, and movement. With nature as the primary creative playground and material source, children will celebrate the Northwoods, experiment with their senses, and make new friends.
A typical morning at Chickadee Club includes starting with introductions and having some free-form play time. There is often story time with music and a mini-lesson or activity. The Chickadees also make a snack and share it together. Jen is often joined by her “junior instructors” Asa and Amelia. They are now 12 and 15 years old, respectively, and this will be their fourth summer helping with Chickadee Club.
The Chickadee Club occurs on Friday mornings 9-11am. Each session is a standalone class - you can take one or multiple, signing up for each session individually.
June 5th, June 19th, July 10th, July 24th and August 7th.
The Creative Kids programs are youth versions of our classic Ely Folk School programs with a focus on learning progressions that take into account the skills and knowledge students at different ages/grade levels might have, while encouraging intra- and inter-generational community and connection building. Each class focuses is unique, featuring popular topics from across all EFS program areas.
Creative Kids: Make Pottery (ages 7-12) with Wade Pharr, Saturday, June 6th, 1-3pm
Creative Kids: Make Soap (ages 10+) with Brenda Olson, Thursday, June 18th, 1-3pm
Creative Kids: Bake Bread (ages 6-12) with Hudson Kingston, Thursday, July 9th, 1-3pm
Creative Kids: Naturally Dye Fabric (ages 6-12) with Joan Hunn, Saturday, July 25th, 1-3pm
Creative Kids: Build a Treasure Box (ages 6-12) with Steve Toddie, Saturday, August 8th, 1-3pm
Creative Kids: Make Pendant Jewelry (ages 6-12) with Jane Dandron-Holtz, Thursday, August 13th, 1-3pm.
This summer we’re also offering a Ceramics for Teens: Wheel Throwing Class. This is a seven-class series, Tuesdays, June 2nd - July 21st, 1-3pm.
Students will learn new techniques and new tools to acquaint them with throwing pottery on a wheel and generally broaden their pottery knowledge base. All skill levels are welcome.
This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council with funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature from its General Fund. Thank you to Tatiana Riobokin for donating the revenue generated during her “Pysanky Egg Decoration” sale to our youth programming. Through this generosity, we are able to offer optional half-price tuition for families.
Would you like to support our Youth & Family Programming? Help us continue to offer reduced tuition by donating to the Ely Folk School and writing "youth programs" in the dedication.
Our Youth & Family Program Area is sponsored by Treehouse Broadband. Founder and owner Isaac Olson grew up in Ely - when he and his wife, Sonja, moved back to his hometown, they knew they wanted to help their community. Enter Treehouse Broadband. Fast, reliable, local internet. We are proud to use Treehouse Broadband as our internet service provider and are grateful for their prompt service and excellent communication. We love Treehouse Broadband’s dedication to creating high quality, high impact internet access right here in Ely.
Did you enjoy learning about Youth & Family Programs at EFS?
Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts featuring each of our program areas!
