Summer is officially here, the perfect time to try out something new right in your own backyard. Savage Mill is a great destination, with plenty of opportunities for indoor and outdoor exploration. Families with children have lots of great choices, whether for a short visit or an entire week. Here are some of our recommendations.
Create With Your Hands
An array of unpainted pottery pieces beckons from behind the glass at Clay Coven. This is the perfect way to awaken your inner artist as you while away a day that’s too hot or rainy to be outdoors. For kids who want to take a deep dive, try out a week of pottery camp for ages 10-16 this July. Students will learn to build by hand and to use the pottery wheel. In August, Leona’s Sewing Studio is hosting a sewing camp for ages 9-12. Learn the basics of machine and hand-sewing while creating beautiful things!
Have less time? Candles by Candy offers candlemaking classes for groups, including kids, while Bead Soup’s activities for the younger crowd include make-and-take keychains and pens.
Active Adventures
Those who enjoy being physically active won’t want to miss Terrapin Adventures, a gateway to nature, fun, challenges and aerial adventure. On-site activities include ropes courses, a zipline, a climbing tower, and a giant swing. There are also limited spots remaining for weekly summer camps for ages 5-7 and 8-11, which include hiking, environmental education, arts and crafts, and field games.
One floor below Terrapin Adventures’ offices is the home of the Savage Fencing Club. In addition to eight-week beginning and intermediate classes for youth ages 6-15, this August they’re offering a weeklong youth epee beginner summer camp.
Located in the Cotton Shed, the wooden building along Foundry St., JMD Studios – Savage has an exciting lineup of full-day summer dance camps for 2025, each with its own unique theme (Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theater, Cheer Dance). Open to ages 4–11, these camps feature daily dance classes, games, crafts, and outdoor play.
Exercise Your Brain
To focus on your brain, head down the sidewalk to Omnihedral, a treasure trove of board and card games. They also sell STEM education kits and host game and movie nights. Not sure if you want to purchase a game? Omnihedral has a vast library of board games for rent.
Wrap It Up
Wrap up your visit with a treat from Sweet Cascades Chocolatier or Roggenart, or a meal at More Than Java Café or Dive Bar & Grille. Sit indoors in the air conditioning or find a shady spot outside while you reminisce about a day of fun and learning right here at Savage Mill!