WACA
Wildcat Academy of the Creative Arts
Find your tribe at wildcat
Teen Arts Retreat
- Summer 2026 -
At Wildcat Academy of the Creative Arts, our mission is to make exceptional arts education available to people of all ages. Offering a dynamic and inclusive environment where creativity flourishes, we empower individuals to explore their full creative potential in the visual, literary and performing arts.
The Teen Arts Retreat is a part of the Wildcat Academy of the Creative Arts (WACA), Wildcat’s nonprofit initiative. The Wildcat Academy of the Creative Arts is exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Donors may deduct donations or contributions under IRC Section 170.
Summer 2026 for teens (ages 13-17) to be held on the magical and mysterious Wildcat campus, located in Franklin, PA.
How it works
Students will select a major and a minor from seven creative disciplines:
Stagecraft
Filmmaking
and
Videography
Creative Writing
Visual Arts
and Painting
Acting Performance
Vocal Performance
Costume
Design and Make-up
Throughout the week, students will attend classes and workshops in their chosen major and minor. Each subject is taught by an accomplished professional in that field. The end of session culmination project incorporates all disciplines into one final showcase that will be open to friends, families and the public.
Beyond the classroom, students engage in outdoor activities like hiking, badminton, croquet, soccer, cycling, and kayaking, adding balance and inspiration to their experience.
A special highlight of the retreat is hands-on training in weekend immersive theater productions, where students apply what they are learning in their daily classes and workshops.
Culmination Project
On the final day of each Teen Arts Retreat session, Wildcat invites friends and family to experience the creativity and dedication of our young artists at the Culmination Project—a daylong celebration of art, performance, and storytelling.
Guests will receive a map and program to guide them through a variety of showcases:
Performances - The Glen Speakeasy
Original Short Stories - The Secret Chamber Lounge
Paintings & Artwork - The Carriage House Workshop
Large-Scale Art Installations - Creature Cottage
Costume & Makeup Design - The Costume Room
Enjoy food and snacks at the Carriage House Diner and Butterball Snack Shack. Additional overnight accommodations may be available for those wishing to extend the experience.
Come celebrate the incredible work of our young artists and witness their creative journey firsthand!
The Teen Arts Retreat offers a vibrant mix of learning, adventure, and community—perfect for aspiring young artists.
Weekly Schedule
Morning Routine
7:00 - 7:30 AM
. . . . . .
7:30 - 8:30 AM
. . . . . .
Wake-Up Call
Breakfast
Daytime Program
8:30 - 9:00 AM
Daytimers Drop-off
. . . . . .
9:15 AM
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Morning Orientation
In the Meadow or Mansion Ballroom
Led by Jon
10:00 AM - 11:15AM
. . .
Major Class/Workshop
Chosen Discipline
11:15 - 12:15 PM
. . . . . . .
Minor Class/Workshop
Chosen Discipline
12:15 - 1:15 PM
. . . . . . .
Lunch
Diner & Butterball Snack Shack
1:15 - 2:15 PM
. . . . . . .
2:30 - 3:30 PM
. . . . . . .
Outdoor Recreation or Independent Study
Master Class/Workshop
Mansion Ballroom
Featuring Experts in all disciplines
3:45 - 4:45 PM
. . . . . . .
Major Class/Workshop
Culmination Project Focus
5:00 - 5:30 PM
. . . . . . .
Daytimers Pick-Up
Evening Program (Overnighters Only)
6:00 - 7:00 PM
. . . . . .
Dinner
7:30 - 9:00 PM
. . . . . .
Evening Activity
Varies Nightly
9:00 - 10:00 PM
. . . . . .
Wind-Down Hour
Chill Zone - Music, Reading, Journaling, Hanging Out
10:00 - 11:00 PM
. . . . . . .
Lights Out
Class & Workshop Locations
Creature Cottage, Carriage House Workshop, Costume & Makeup Room, Cinema, Secret Chamber Lounge, Reading Room, Mansion Ballroom
Evening Activities May Include
-
Board Games in the Secret Chamber Lounge
-
Movie Screening in the Cinema
-
S'mores & Ghost Stories by the Butterball Bonfire
-
Mansion Exploration by Flashlight
-
The Sim Room
Pricing
1-Week Session for
Daytimers | $475
Price includes one full week (7 days) of classes and workshops; all materials; lunches and snacks; participation in the culmination project.
Daytimers (local students) can be dropped off at Wildcat between 8:30 - 9 am and picked up between 5:30-6 pm daily.
1-Week Session for Overnighters | $1,275
Price includes one full week (7 days) of classes and workshops; all materials; evening activities; three meals a day plus snacks; overnight lodging (all bedding and towels provided); participation in the culmination project.
Lodging for the Overnighters (out of town students) will be in the Mansion, Carriage House, Retro Suite, Acorn Cottage, River View Suite and Artists’ Haven.
Pricing is for double occupancy. Single rooms are available for an additional $200. Students may stay for consecutive weeks for a 20% discount on subsequent weeks. Siblings are eligible for a 20% discount. 50% deposit is required by June 1 to reserve your spot. Balance is payable one week prior to the start of your session. We accept checks, credit cards and Venmo. Scholarships are available. Please inquire within.
Curriculum to Include:
Daily classes and workshops in students’ majors and minors
Small-scale art projects in Carriage House workshop
Large-scale art projects in Creature Cottage
Costume and Make-Up Design in the costume room
TV and Film classes in the Cinema
Acting and Vocal Performance on the mansion mainstage
Improv classes in the Glen Speakeasy
Creative writing classes in the Secret Chamber Lounge.
Hands-on training in Wildcat's Weekend Immersive productions
Meals and snacks in the Carriage House Diner, picnic pavilion and the Butterball Snack Shack.
Bonfire smores and ghost stories
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Wildcat was brought to life by screenwriter and teacher Jon Bernstein who found this one-of-a-kind property and took 4 years of renovations and remodeling to turn it into a dynamic arts complex with lodging.
A Note From Jon
Jon Bernstein
Owner - Head Wildcatter
I couldn’t wait for fourth grade.
That was the magic number—the minimum age to enroll in Junior Civic Theater. I had already seen plays there, nestled on the landscaped grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and I longed to be part of it. The setting was beautiful, the performances bold and funny, and I was desperate to belong. I just had to wait.
My mom called year after year, hoping they’d make an exception for a "very creative" second grader, then a third grader, but the answer was always no.
The wait felt endless. But finally, fourth grade arrived, and stepping into that world was like stepping onto another planet—a planet where I belonged.
Auditions, rehearsals, costumes, makeup, staging, memorizing lines, the thrill of opening night, giving and receiving flowers, the big fun of the cast party—there was so much to learn, so much to experience. It became the rhythm of my life.
Best of all, the kids I met there weren’t like the kids at school. They were kind, fun, expressive, exuberant — driven by the same creative fire that burned in me.
Working together with all my new friends to bring a show to life was pure joy.
I found my tribe.
And I never left it. From Junior Civic to high school rep theater, show choir, Harand Theater Camp, and Young Americans, I built lifelong friendships.
That same sense of camaraderie has carried into my adult life, where every cast, crew, and creative collaboration has felt like home.
Now, with my Wildcat adventure, I have the privilege of welcoming other "creative types" onto my planet — meeting and befriending the latest cast of characters in my tribe.
The Wildcat Teen Arts Retreat offers a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment where young artists will receive top-tier arts education in their chosen disciplines while working on individual and collaborative projects.
Their journey will culminate in a final showcase, shared with family and friends—creating memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Jon's Bio
Jon wrote the screenplay for Disney's MEET THE ROBINSONS, which won a Heartland Film award and was named a Truly Moving Picture. He also wrote the screenplays BEAUTIFUL, directed by Sally Field and starring Minnie Driver, and RINGMASTER, starring Jerry Springer. He has written, directed and produced numerous original musicals and immersive theater productions.
He taught Screenwriting and Creative Writing at the UCLA Extension Writers Studio, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2017. He bought this property in 2021, and after four years of dramatic reinvention, the Wildcat Academy of the Creative Arts is born.
Teen Arts
Retreat Lodging
Each room has two twin beds.
Each Overnighter will have a roommate.
The Property
& Lodging
Wildcat Mansion is nestled on 24 private acres of lush woodlands, offering guests an exclusive retreat from the bustle of everyday life. Located in northwest Pennsylvania, known for its scenic beauty and rich cultural history, the property is an ideal destination for those seeking both tranquility and adventure.
A Glimpse of the fun!
Teen Arts Retreat FAQ
Welcome to the Wildcat Teen Arts Retreat! Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If you have a question that’s not listed, feel free to reach out to us at info@wildcatmansion.com.
Stay Connected
If you're interested in our Summer 2026 Teen Arts Retreat, sign up to stay in the loop! Provide your name and email, and we'll keep you updated on Early Sign-Up Discounts, Open Houses, and more. Don't miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable creative experience!