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.
Summer 2026 for teens (ages 13-18) 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
&
Videography
Creative Writing
Visual Arts
& Painting
Comedy &
Impov
Acting Performance
Vocal Performance
Costume
Design &
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, and cycling 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.
Spring Open House
RESERVATIONS REQUESTED
Culmination Projects
On the final day of each Teen Arts Retreat session, Wildcat invites friends, family and the public to experience the creativity and dedication of our young artists at the Culmination Project. Session One (12-15 year olds) will perform The Princess Castle and The Wildcat Adventure. Session Two (16-18 year olds) will perform Scandal at Wildcat Mansion. Find details and get tickets below.
THE WILDCAT ADVENTURE
An immersive journey for brave adventurers ages 6–12 and their grownups
Solve puzzles, find clues, and try to find the mysterious creature that lives in Wildcat Woods.
A family experience full of wonder, laughter, and magic! Indoor and outdoor experience.
THE WILDCAT ADVENTURE
An immersive journey for brave adventurers ages 6–12 and their grownups
Solve puzzles, find clues, and try to find the mysterious creature that lives in Wildcat Woods.
A family experience full of wonder, laughter, and magic! Indoor and outdoor experience.
PRINCESS CASTLE
A funny, immersive experience for families & dreamers of all ages
Step inside a storybook at Wildcat Mansion! Join us for an afternoon of magic, mystery, and make-believe as the halls transform into a real-life royal adventure. Costumes encouraged, imagination required!
SCANDAL AT
WILDCAT MANSION
An Immersive Mystery Experience
Whispers echo through the halls of Wildcat Mansion as Heiress Mildred McIntosh begins to suspect her charming husband is hiding something—or someone. When a trace of perfume clings to her husband after a visit to The Glen Speakeasy, all signs point to the sultry chanteuse in the spotlight. As the night unravels, so does Mildred. Follow the actors through the grand rooms and shadowy corners of the mansion in this immersive, late-night mystery full of secrets, lies, and deception.
SCANDAL AT
WILDCAT MANSION
An Immersive Mystery Experience
Whispers echo through the halls of Wildcat Mansion as Heiress Mildred McIntosh begins to suspect her charming husband is hiding something—or someone. When a trace of perfume clings to her husband after a visit to The Glen Speakeasy, all signs point to the sultry chanteuse in the spotlight. As the night unravels, so does Mildred. Follow the actors through the grand rooms and shadowy corners of the mansion in this immersive, late-night mystery full of secrets, lies, and deception.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
7pm
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
7pm
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
7pm
$25 | 18+
Overnight lodging available. Inquiries to info@wildcatmansion.com
Pricing
1-Week Session for
Locals | $775
Price includes one full week (7 days) of classes and workshops; all materials; evening activities; meals plus snacks; participation in the professional productions.
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 Out-of-towners | $1,675
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 professional productions.
Lodging for the Overnighters 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 $250. A 10% non-refundable deposit can hold your place. 50% is due by May 1. Balance is payable one week prior to the start of your session. We accept checks and credit cards (additional fees may apply). Scholarships are available. Certificates of participation are provided to all students. Recommendation letters are available upon request.
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
Comedy and 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. Passionate about the arts and preservation, Jon purchased the property in 2021 with a dream and delusion of creating a dynamic arts complex.
His mission was clear from the start: create a space where art and creativity flourishes, history is honored, connections are forged and memories are made.
After nearly five years of bold reimagining, the mansion has evolved into a vibrant, multifaceted venue, hosting everything from weddings and immersive experiences to stand-up comedy, arts retreats and festivals.
Jon has formed a nonprofit arm to Wildcat called the Wildcat Academy of the Creative Arts (WACA), solidifying his commitment to making the arts accessible to everyone and continuing to shape the Wildcat legacy.
A Note From Jon
Jon Bernstein
Owner - Head Wildcatter
As a young adult Jon took the arts very seriously. His creative path was shaped by immersive, collaborative arts environments, starting with Junior Civic Theater in fourth grade, Harand Theater Camp in seventh and eighth grades and Rep Theater in high school. He was Indiana’s State Thespian president his senior year and performed with The Young Americans in his late teens.
He went on to write the Disney feature Meet the Robinsons, a Heartland Film Award recipient and Truly Moving Picture, as well as Beautiful (starring Minnie Driver and directed by Sally Field) and Ringmaster (starring Jerry Springer). He worked on other film and TV projects for Disney, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, the CW and NBCUniversal.
An award-winning educator, Jon taught screenwriting and creative writing at the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program—where he was named 2017 Teacher of the Year—as well as the Orange County School of the Arts and River Oaks Academy.
In 2021 he purchased the historic McIntosh Mansion in Franklin, Pennsylvania. Drawing inspiration from the 1800s wildcatters of the oil region, he renamed it Wildcat, which now operates as a dynamic arts and entertainment complex with lodging.
The Wildcat Academy of the Creative Arts (WACA), located in the mansion’s carriage house, is his personal passion. He is dedicated to empowering creative exploration across the visual, literary and performing arts for all ages in a vibrant, inspiring setting.
Jon’s original immersive productions at the mansion include Haunted Mansion Tours, Zombie Invasion, Sweetheart Dinner Theater, Secret of Wildcat Mansion, Princess Castle, Wildcat Adventure and Scandal at Wildcat Mansion.
Jon passionately believes in the importance of having dreams and delusions.
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.
AMber Bailey's Bio
Amber Bailey
Amber is an accomplished art educator with 20 years of experience dedicated to building creative confidence, critical thinking, and community-mindedness in students.
At the Young Women’s Leadership Academy, she designed and leads the Visual Art Pathway for grades 6–12, offering an accelerated and comprehensive curriculum that includes Art I & II, AP courses, Art Leadership, Museum Studies, and internships.
Her teaching philosophy emphasizes growth mindset—encouraging risk-taking, embracing imperfections, and helping students develop their own voice—while positioning art as a powerful connector across disciplines such as history, science, and social issues.
A recognized leader in the field, Amber has presented nationally and statewide at NAEA and TAEA conferences, co-founded the PS/1 Art Program for at-risk youth, and received numerous honors including Educator of Excellence, Campus Teacher of the Year, AP Teacher of the Year, and the Bayard Friedman HERO Award.
She holds a B.A. from Abilene Christian University, is a master’s candidate (all but thesis), and is certified in Art All-Level in Texas, guided by her belief that art inspires, heals, and strengthens communities—“Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy.”
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.
Get Connected
If you're interested in our Summer 2026 Teen Arts Retreat but would like to chat with someone before making a commitment, please fill out this form. Provide your name and email, and we'll get in touch. Don't miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable creative experience!