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Summer Program

WEEK-LONG RESIDENTIAL CLASSES FROM MAY – OCTOBER
The Summer Program, which runs from May through October, is The Clearing’s oldest and the one that most closely resembles Jensen’s original folk school vision. The mainstay of the Summer Program is week-long classes, with 25 to 35 students and instructors living at The Clearing, eating family-style meals and renewing their spirit through close contact with the native landscape. The Clearing experience is made up of many special components. The classes, sense of community, forests, meadows, water, sunsets, home-cooked meals, traditions and history all blend to create a wonderful place to learn, relax, reflect and make new friends.

2026 Summer Program
Registration Dates Announced

-- GENERAL REGISTRATION --
General Registration Start Date #1: February 26, 2026
Registration for classes held between May 3 and August 1 begins February 26, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.

General Registration Start Date #2: February 27, 2026
Registration for classes held between August 2 and November 6 begins February 27, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.

On General Registration Start Dates #1 and #2 (see above), an individual may register for him/herself and one other person.

-- LIFE MEMBER REGISTRATION --
Life Member Registration Start Date: February 24, 2026
Friends of The Clearing Life Members may register for all Summer Program classes beginning on February 24, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.

On the Life Member Registration Start Date (see above), a Friend of The Clearing Life Member may register for him/herself and one other person who is also a life member.

2026 Summer Program Calendar

-click on class tiles below for complete class descriptions-

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

20262027202820292030

WEEK13 26jul01augRecorder At The Clearing #55Pat Badger

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK13 26jul01augDesigning Landscapes Inspired by Nature #56Darrel Morrison

CancelledWEEK13 26jul01augI Forged A Carving Knife & I Know How To Use It #57Jeremiah Backhaus & Erik Rinkleff

WEEK13 26jul01augPersonal Retreat #58

WEEK14 02aug(aug 2)6:00 pm08(aug 8)9:00 amPainting with Versatile Acrylic #59Kay Brathol-Hostvet

WEEK14 02aug(aug 2)6:01 pm08(aug 8)9:00 amKnit Your Own Adventure! #60Whitney Gross

WEEK14 02aug(aug 2)6:02 pm08(aug 8)9:00 amOut of the Blue – Indigo Dying #61Kipp Inglis

WEEK14 02aug(aug 2)6:03 pm08(aug 8)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #62

WEEK15 09aug(aug 9)6:00 pm15(aug 15)9:00 amArt Quilt: Open Studio #63Wendy Butler Berns

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK15 09aug(aug 9)6:01 pm15(aug 15)9:00 amNext Steps in Glass Fusing #64Nance Tucker

WEEK15 09aug(aug 9)6:02 pm15(aug 15)9:00 amCultivating Mindfulness: Growing A Lifelong Practice #65Beth Coleman

WEEK15 09aug(aug 9)6:03 pm15(aug 15)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #66

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK16 16aug(aug 16)6:00 pm22(aug 22)9:00 amPlein Air Painting with Pastels #67John Ribble

WEEK16 16aug(aug 16)6:01 pm22(aug 22)9:00 amOur Declaration – Danielle Allen #68Jeff Doane

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK16 16aug(aug 16)6:02 pm22(aug 22)9:00 amMaking glass Beads& Blowing Glass Ornaments #69Julie Lukosaitis

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK16 16aug(aug 16)6:03 pm22(aug 22)9:00 amThe Joy of Weaving: Open Studio Retreat #70Geke de Vries

WEEK16 16aug(aug 16)6:04 pm22(aug 22)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #71

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK17 23aug(aug 23)6:00 pm29(aug 29)9:00 amSea and Sky with Watercolor #72Gary Hanks

WEEK17 23aug(aug 23)6:01 pm29(aug 29)9:00 amThe Scout Scarf-An Adventure in Knitting with Color #73Robin Geller

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK17 23aug(aug 23)6:02 pm29(aug 29)9:00 amSumizuri-e, the Art of the Black-and-white Woodcut #74Alfred Stark

WEEK17 23aug(aug 23)6:03 pm29(aug 29)9:00 amA Week On the Edge, Cutting Deeper – Intermediate Knifesmithing #75Jeremiah Backhaus

WEEK17 23aug(aug 23)6:04 pm29(aug 29)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #76

FULL - Join the waitlist!WEEK18 30aug(aug 30)6:00 pm05sep(sep 5)9:00 amWater, Skies, Beaches and Waves in Watercolor and Pencil #77Lee Mothes

WEEK18 30aug(aug 30)6:01 pm05sep(sep 5)9:00 amUnfolding – A Memoir Writing Class #78Heather 'Byrd'

WEEK18 30aug(aug 30)6:02 pm05sep(sep 5)9:00 amBasket with Forged Handle #79Denise Arzberger & James Viste

WEEK18 30aug(aug 30)6:03 pm05sep(sep 5)9:00 amWoodturning for Living #80Tom Hurst

WEEK18 30aug(aug 30)6:04 pm05sep(sep 5)9:00 amPersonal Retreat #81