Allerton Park & Retreat Center

Summer Yoga
2026-07-14 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-07-07 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-06-30 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-06-23 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-06-16 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago) | Fu Dog Garden
Experience Level: All Levels
Enjoy the peaceful, serene atmosphere of Allerton as it provides the perfect setting for Summer Yoga every Tuesday in June, July and August from 9-10 a.m. in the Fu Dog Garden:
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25
Instructor Josie Heck with Yoga Off the Square will lead students through class strength poses perfect for all levels.
$5/person. Register here. Registration will close 1 day prior to each class or when capacity is reached. All sales are final
*Students are encouraged to bring their own mat; limited mats will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please print and sign the liability form and bring it with you to class.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Josie Heck began teaching in 2014 after receiving her 200-hour training through Amara Yoga & Arts and Yoga Alliance. Over the last decade she has expanded the range of classes to better serve the community. While she specializes in Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow the most popular classes are Beginners Yoga, Chair Yoga, Kids classes, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Gentle Flow.
She teaches Community Yoga, Stretch ‘n Sip and Full Moon classes thru The Farms at Allerton Park and Retreat Center as well as providing free classes at Monticello Middle School and Monticello High School. Josie has also led classes at the local hospital and senior-assisted facilities.

SUMMER DAY CAMP: Crafty Creations presented by Busey Bank
2026-07-13 08:00 - 2026-07-17 15:00
Creating takes a crafty turn in this hobby arts-themed week of camp! No fine arts at Summer Day Camp: Crafty Creations on July 13-17 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – only the classic crafts of childhood: tie dye, recycled art, beading, paper crafts, and more.
Campers will enjoy water activities, gardening, reading, drawing with sidewalk chalk, playing games, eating summer food, and doing lots of exploring at Allerton Park! Register 5- to 7-year-olds as Acorns, while 8- to 11-year-olds are Adventurers.
$200/person for the week*. The following add-ons are available at registration: Early Arrivers from 7-8 a.m. ($15), After Care from 3-5:30 p.m. ($35), and lunch for the week ($25). Campers can also bring their own lunch.
Registration will open March 11 at 9 a.m.
Register your Acorn (Ages 5-7) here.
SOLD OUT Register your Adventurer (Ages 8-11) here. (Adventurers also have the opportunity to go to the Monticello Family Aquatic Center twice a week. Learn more here.)
*Registration fees include two snacks, camp T-shirt and all necessary materials. Campers will need to bring their own water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray and a change of clothes/shoes.
View Camp FAQs here.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Register online (RECOMMENDED): Links to each week of camp will be available on the “Youth” section of our event calendar on March 11 at 9 a.m. You will be able to fill out the registration form and pay for as many weeks as you need online. (If a week of camp is sold out, you will automatically be asked if you would like to be put on the wait list.) If you need assistance, please contact Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
Register in-person: Registration forms to print and fill out can be found here. Be sure to check camp availability on the “Youth” section of our event calendar before submitting your forms in-person.
If your camper will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please contact Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
About Busey Bank
Busey Bank is more than a financial institution—we’re a trusted partner in the communities we serve. For over 150 years, we’ve built lasting relationships by delivering personalized banking solutions while investing in local initiatives that strengthen families, businesses, and neighborhoods.

The Farms: Mansion Tour By Kids, For Kids
2026-07-12 14:00 - 15:00
Curious children of all ages are welcome to explore and learn at our Mansion Tour By Kids, For Kids on Sunday, July 12 from 2-3 p.m in the Mansion.
This tour is designed with youth in mind as our talented kid volunteer leads the way, pointing out art and sharing the history of the Allerton estate.
$7.50/child (up to age 18). (A parent/guardian should register and accompany youth participants). Register here. Registration will close July 11 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

The Farms: Intro to Pastel Painting
2026-07-12 13:00 - 16:00
Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 12+)
Learn about soft pastels and ways to use them through basic mark-making techniques at Introduction to Pastel Painting on Sunday, July 12 from 1-4 p.m. in the Mansion Library.
Award-winning artist Mandy Roeing will help students learn about pastels and paint to create a simple still life to take home. More than just a one-time painting project, this class is intended to give you basic pastel painting skills and knowledge that you can build on to continue creating.
$85/person (Ages 12+; Ages 12-15 should be accompanied by a registered adult.) Register here. Registration will close on July 9 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Award-winning artist Mandy Roeing resides in Downs with her husband and their two daughters. Inspired by the beauty and tranquility of nature, Roeing creates color-filled landscapes and beachscapes that go beyond representation to capture the emotion of a place.
All of Roeing’s paintings are done in soft pastels, a beautiful and versatile medium that she is passionate about sharing with others through both her work and classes. She is an instructor at the McLean County Arts Center and the Peninsula School of Art and holds regular classes in painting and drawing at her own studio and gallery space in downtown Bloomington.
Mandy earned her BFA in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina in 2004. She is the Vice President of the Illinois Prairie Pastel Society and an active member of the Peoria Art Guild. Her work has been published in The Pastel Journal magazine and the IAPS Globe and is in numerous private collections throughout the country and abroad.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

Reds, Whites, & the Blues
2026-07-10 18:00 - 21:00
Continue the Independence Day celebration at Reds, Whites, & the Blues on Friday, July 10 from 6-9 p.m. on the Gatehouse Lawn.
This outdoor concert will feature area blues stylist Billy Galt & the Blues Deacons opening for Andrew Duncanson & Take A Ride featuring Michael Peloquin. The event is part of the Allerton Park Concert Series presented by Cim-Tek Filtration, with monthly concerts through September 11.
Food will be available to purchase from food trucks and the Greenhouse Cafè will be open until 6 p.m. A bar will be available. Attendees may also bring their own food, but no outside alcohol is permitted.
In addition to the music, don’t miss these activities to add to the festive fun:
“Touch-a-Truck” (police car, tractor, gator, & firetruck)
Face painter
Scavenger Hunt
Picnic Contest (Find details here.)
$5/person or $10/family, payable upon arrival. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Overnight lodging is available. View rooms here and book online or call 217-333-3287.
Find a Concert FAQ here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Christina at clc@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Herbold Family Trust

Kelly’s Accounting Service

(SOLD OUT) The Farms: Watercolor Travel Journal
2026-07-10 12:00 - 16:00
Experience Level: All skill levels
Make your vacation photos into works of art at Watercolor Travel Journal on Friday through Sunday, July 10-12 from 12-4 p.m. in  The Studio.
Instructor Deb Marett will teach the basics of watercolor painting, drawing skills and putting a layout together to create pages in journals that capture memories and turn them into a cherished keepsake that can be expanded.
On the first day, students will experiment on practice paper, focusing on how to break down images into simple shapes, the principles of watercolor, painting light to dark, mixing colors, handling brushes and other basics.
The second day, students will put together a page layout with thumbnail sketches and create pages in their journals, as well as a painted page.
On the third day, students will continue painting their journals, go outside and paint on location, and learn some basics of plein air painting.
$175/person*. Register here. Registration will close on July 3 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring:
— 5”x8” or larger book with quality cold press with 140# watercolor paper (spiral bound or bound to lay flat is the best). (Suggested book: Hahnemuhle)
— Watercolor paint set – suggested brand: Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor OR this similar pallet
— Sketchbook 4”x6” or larger
— Watercolor brush set (not waterbrush pens), including a flat brush at least 1” wide and large mop brush (Suggested set: ARTIFY)
— Mechanical pencil
— Waterproof ink pen
— Eraser small in diameter
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Deb Marrett is a professional artist whose work focuses on equestrian and figurative scenes as well as portraiture. She always travels with her watercolors and a travel journal.
“It is an amazing way to remember moments of the trip, and spend time soaking up the places I visit,” she said.
Deb loves sharing her knowledge by teaching and finding ways to make painting and drawing fun and accessible to those wanting to explore their creative side.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

The Farms: Watercolor Travel Journal
2026-07-10 12:00 - 16:00

Public Mansion Tour
2026-07-08 13:00 - 14:00 | The Mansion, 515 Old Timber Road, Monticello, IL, United States
Experience Level: Beginner
Attend one of our Public Mansion Tours* to view inside Robert Allerton’s 1900s-era mansion and hear the unique history of the creation of the estate.
Tours typically last 60 minutes and will meet in the Mansion Gallery. Tours will primarily cover the first floor of the home with an optional trip to the second and third floors when available.
$15/person. Register here. All sales are final.
*2026 tour dates:
— Sunday, Jan. 11, 2-3 p.m.
— Saturday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. SOLD OUT
— Sunday, Feb. 8, 2-3 p.m.
— Saturday, Feb. 21, 4-5 p.m.
— Friday, Feb. 27, 4-5 p.m.
— Sunday, March 1, 2-3 p.m.
— Saturday, March 14, 10-11 a.m.
— Sunday, March 29, 2-3 p.m.
— Friday, April 17, 4-5 p.m.
— Sunday, April 26, 2-3 p.m.
— Sunday, May 24, 2-3 p.m.
— Sunday, June 14, 2-3 p.m.
— Sunday, Aug. 16, 2-3 p.m.
— Sunday, Sept. 13, 2-3 p.m.
— Sunday, Sept. 27, 2-3 p.m.
— Sunday, Oct. 11, 1-2 p.m.
— Sunday, Nov. 1, 1-2 p.m.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

The Farms: Quilting 101: Foundation Paper Piecing
2026-07-07 10:00 - 16:00
Experience Level: Should be comfortable using a sewing machine
Learn a new quilting technique at Quilting 101: Foundation Paper Piecing on Tuesday, July 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the The Studio.
Students will create complex and colorful geometric patterns and motifs with accuracy using paper. If this isn’t enough fun, instructor Billie Theide will be bringing her vintage sewing machines for students to practice on including a Singer Featherweight.
This quilting process can culminate in a wide range of projects like quilts, bags, and contemporary artworks.
$130/person*. Register here. Registration will close June 30 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring a sewing machine they are comfortable using. A limited number of sewing machines are available for rent; contact Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu to secure a machine.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Billie Theide is a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she is Professor Emerita. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Racine Art Museum, among others.
She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

(SOLD OUT) SUMMER DAY CAMP: Survival of the Fittest presented by Busey Bank
2026-07-06 08:00 - 2026-07-10 15:00
Have what it takes to survive in the great outdoors? Then Summer Day Camp: Survival of the Fittest on July 6-10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. is for you! Fort building, survival skills, and some “Survivor” show-themed competitions are on deck for the toughest of campers.
Campers will enjoy water activities, gardening, reading, drawing with sidewalk chalk, playing games, eating summer food, and doing lots of exploring at Allerton Park! Register 5- to 7-year-olds as Acorns, while 8- to 11-year-olds are Adventurers.
$200/person for the week*. The following add-ons are available at registration: Early Arrivers from 7-8 a.m. ($15), After Care from 3-5:30 p.m. ($35), and lunch for the week ($25). Campers can also bring their own lunch.
Registration will open March 11 at 9 a.m.
SOLD OUT Register your Acorn (Ages 5-7) here.
SOLD OUT Register your Adventurer (Ages 8-11) here. (Adventurers also have the opportunity to go to the Monticello Family Aquatic Center twice a week. Learn more here.)
*Registration fees include two snacks, camp T-shirt and all necessary materials. Campers will need to bring their own water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray and a change of clothes/shoes.
View Camp FAQs here.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Register online (RECOMMENDED): Links to each week of camp will be available on the “Youth” section of our event calendar on March 11 at 9 a.m. You will be able to fill out the registration form and pay for as many weeks as you need online. (If a week of camp is sold out, you will automatically be asked if you would like to be put on the wait list.) If you need assistance, please contact Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
Register in-person: Registration forms to print and fill out can be found here. Be sure to check camp availability on the “Youth” section of our event calendar before submitting your forms in-person.
If your camper will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please contact Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
About Busey Bank
Busey Bank is more than a financial institution—we’re a trusted partner in the communities we serve. For over 150 years, we’ve built lasting relationships by delivering personalized banking solutions while investing in local initiatives that strengthen families, businesses, and neighborhoods.

SUMMER DAY CAMP: Survival of the Fittest presented by Busey Bank
2026-07-06 08:00 - 2026-07-10 15:00
Have what it takes to survive in the great outdoors? Then Summer Day Camp: Survival of the Fittest on July 6-10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. is for you! Fort building, survival skills, and some “Survivor” show-themed competitions are on deck for the toughest of campers.
Campers will enjoy water activities, gardening, reading, drawing with sidewalk chalk, playing games, eating summer food, and doing lots of exploring at Allerton Park! Register 5- to 7-year-olds as Acorns, while 8- to 11-year-olds are Adventurers.
$200/person for the week*. The following add-ons are available at registration: Early Arrivers from 7-8 a.m. ($15), After Care from 3-5:30 p.m. ($35), and lunch for the week ($25). Campers can also bring their own lunch.
Registration will open March 11 at 9 a.m.
Register your Acorn (Ages 5-7) here.
SOLD OUT Register your Adventurer (Ages 8-11) here. (Adventurers also have the opportunity to go to the Monticello Family Aquatic Center twice a week. Learn more here.)
*Registration fees include two snacks, camp T-shirt and all necessary materials. Campers will need to bring their own water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray and a change of clothes/shoes.
View Camp FAQs here.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Register online (RECOMMENDED): Links to each week of camp will be available on the “Youth” section of our event calendar on March 11 at 9 a.m. You will be able to fill out the registration form and pay for as many weeks as you need online. (If a week of camp is sold out, you will automatically be asked if you would like to be put on the wait list.) If you need assistance, please contact Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
Register in-person: Registration forms to print and fill out can be found here. Be sure to check camp availability on the “Youth” section of our event calendar before submitting your forms in-person.
If your camper will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please contact Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
About Busey Bank
Busey Bank is more than a financial institution—we’re a trusted partner in the communities we serve. For over 150 years, we’ve built lasting relationships by delivering personalized banking solutions while investing in local initiatives that strengthen families, businesses, and neighborhoods.

Beehive Observation
2026-07-05 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-21 13:00 - 15:00 | The Studio
Experience Level: Beginner
Get a first-hand look at how honey bees manage hive activity at Beehive Observation on Sundays, April 12 & 26, May 10 & 24, June 7 & 21, July 5 & 19, Aug. 2, 16 & 30 and Sept. 13 & 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. in The Studio and outside at the beehives.
Instructor Maggie Wachter will provide an overview of seasonal influences, followed by a peek inside the hives to observe honey bees at work. Traditional and Flow Hives will also be discussed. Each two-hour session may be attended as a standalone or combined with any or all other classes.
$200/person* for the entire series here or $30/class at the links below. Registration will close April 9 for the entire series or three days before each subsequent class. All sales are final.
Students should wear loose-fitting long sleeves and pants, close-toed shoes and bring a protective bee veil and unscented rubber gloves.
*Registration links:
— April 12
— April 26
— May 10
— May 24
— June 7
— June 21
— July 5
— July 19
— Aug. 2
— Aug. 16
— Aug. 30
— Sept. 13
— Sept. 27

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
When Maggie Wachter began her social work degree at the University of Illinois in 2008, she had no idea that she would become a beekeeper. As for honey, she kept a single jar in the back of her kitchen cabinet for recipes. Today she is a master beekeeper who never eats sugar.
Maggie received her first hive as a gift in 2008. By 2010, she was enrolled in the Master Beekeeper course at the University of Florida. From there, things happened quickly to turn her life around. In 2012, she started teaching beekeeping for Parkland Community Education and today she is a beekeeping teacher, honey judge, mead maker and master beekeeper.
She has also participated in honeybee research at the University of Illinois and the USDA.

(SOLD OUT) The Farms: Full Moon Hike
2026-06-29 20:00 - 22:00
Experience Level: Beginner
Experience Allerton after dark at a Full Moon Hike on Monday, June 29 or Wednesday, July 29 from 8-10 p.m.
Allerton Natural Areas Managers will lead this memorable walk through the woods to listen for owls, coyotes, and other nocturnal wildlife under the light of a full moon.
The June 29 hike will meet at the Buck Schroth Parking Lot, and July 29 will meet at the McDonald Family Trails/Lost Garden Parking Lot.
Enjoy the hike on its own or add a beer to enjoy while you walk!
$10/person; $20/person with two beers (Ages 21+). Register here. Registration will close one day before each hike.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer Session schedule here.

The Farms: Lino Cuts & Prints
2026-06-28 12:00 - 17:00
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn printmaking processes at Lino Cuts & Prints on Sunday, June 28 from 12-5 p.m. in the Mansion Library.
For a very long time, print-makers have transferred images from specially prepared plates to plants, fabric, wood and metal. In this workshop, instructor Billie Theide will help students learn to design, carve, prepare ink and transfer images to make unique works of art. Each student will get a toolkit that will enable them to continue to work at home.
$140/person. Register here. Registration will close June 21 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Billie Theide is a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she is Professor Emerita. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Racine Art Museum, among others.
She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

The Farms: Quirky Bird Watercolor Workshop
2026-06-27 13:00 - 16:00
Experience Level: All Levels (Ages 15+)
Create a bright, expressive bird illustration full of personally at Quirky Bird Watercolor Workshop on Saturday, June 27 from 1-4 p.m. in The Studio.
Instructor Emily Tackitt will guide students through this workshop focusing on expressive color and loose, playful textures. Students will explore layering vibrant watercolor washes, adding energetic line work, and using splatter and mark-making techniques to bring character and movement into their painting.
This class focuses on building confidence with watercolor through an approachable, step-by-step process and suitable for all levels of artists looking to experiment and enjoy a relaxed and encouraging experience.
$110/person. Register here. Registration will close June 20 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Emily Tackitt is the artist behind Moonbeam Jellyfish and works in mixed media, blending watercolor, acrylic, gouache, ink, drawing, and collage to create whimsical, fantasy-inspired artwork. With a process that is playful and intuitive, Emily is often guided by curiosity, storytelling, and whatever feels magical in the moment. Her classes are designed to feel supportive and accessible, encouraging students to build confidence through a thoughtful, step-by-step creative practice.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

The Farms: Practice of Plant-Based Eating
2026-06-25 17:00 - 19:00
Experience Level: Intermediate (students should have taken Basics of Plant-Based Eating)
Expand your knowledge of eating plant-based at Practice of Plant-Based Eating on Thursday, June 25 from 5-7 p.m. in The Studio.
Instructor Karla Freeze will dive deeper into the practice of plant-based eating, helping students live a healthier lifestyle. Learn some tips and tricks on how you can build your plate, make a grocery list, and stock your pantry and fridge with healthy plant-based foods to continue your health journey.
$25/person. Register here. Registration will close June 18 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Karla Freeze credits the plant-based lifestyle she switched to about 13 years ago for greatly improving her health, helping her to reverse ailments including type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, psoriasis, sleep apnea, while also helping her lose weight.
“Plant-based education is my passion,” she said.
Karla has done many educational sessions throughout central Illinois and worked with an international dining services company in presenting health sessions in Dallas and Houston.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

SUMMER DAY CAMP: All About Illinois presented by Busey Bank
2026-06-22 08:00 - 2026-06-26 15:00
Learn about what makes our great state so unique at Summer Day Camp: All About Illinois on June 22-26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Campers will enjoy water activities, gardening, reading, drawing with sidewalk chalk, playing games, eating summer food, and doing lots of exploring at Allerton Park! Register 5- to 7-year-olds as Acorns, while 8- to 11-year-olds are Adventurers.
$200/person for the week*. The following add-ons are available at registration: Early Arrivers from 7-8 a.m. ($15), After Care from 3-5:30 p.m. ($35), and lunch for the week ($25). Campers can also bring their own lunch.
Registration will open March 11 at 9 a.m.
Register your Acorn (Ages 5-7) here.
Register your Adventurer (Ages 8-11) here. (Adventurers also have the opportunity to go to the Monticello Family Aquatic Center twice a week. Learn more here.)
*Registration fees include two snacks, camp T-shirt and all necessary materials. Campers will need to bring their own water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray and a change of clothes/shoes.
View Camp FAQs here.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Register online (RECOMMENDED): Links to each week of camp will be available on the “Youth” section of our event calendar on March 11 at 9 a.m. You will be able to fill out the registration form and pay for as many weeks as you need online. (If a week of camp is sold out, you will automatically be asked if you would like to be put on the wait list.) If you need assistance, please contact Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
Register in-person: Registration forms to print and fill out can be found here. Be sure to check camp availability on the “Youth” section of our event calendar before submitting your forms in-person.
If your camper will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please contact Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
About Busey Bank
Busey Bank is more than a financial institution—we’re a trusted partner in the communities we serve. For over 150 years, we’ve built lasting relationships by delivering personalized banking solutions while investing in local initiatives that strengthen families, businesses, and neighborhoods.

Camp Lost Garden
2026-06-18 15:00 - 2026-06-21 12:00 | The Mansion, 515 Old Timber Road, Monticello, IL, United States
Whether you’re looking for a getaway with friends or loved one, a solo adventure, or even a secluded spot for team-building — Camp Lost Garden is your answer.
Illinois’ premier adult summer camp on June 18-21, 2026 features all your favorite classic camp activities – arts, crafts, games, campfires, hikes, and more. It’s all included in your registration fee, as well as all meals and unlimited beer, wine and soda. Stay tuned for the complete schedule!
Campers can commute, stay in the Mansion or a guesthouse, or tent camp.*
$375/camper. Register by calling 217-333-3287 (skip the fees!). You can also register online here. Registration will close June 4 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. Ask about our payment plan! Registration includes all activities, meals, snacks and drinks. Overnight accommodations are an additional cost.*
*Overnight accommodation options:
— SOLD OUT! Lodging in the Mansion or a guesthouse. Call us at 217-333-3287 to make your reservation at a discounted rate!
— Primitive tent camping on the Bowling Lawn adjacent to the Mansion. Communal showers will be available on the third floor of the Mansion. Sign-up for a camping spot ($50 total) as an add-on when registering for camp.
We wouldn’t be a real camp without some ground rules! Be sure to check them out here.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email jmgiffor@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

(SOLD OUT) The Farms: Herbal First Aid: Liniments, Washes & Poultices
2026-06-17 17:00 - 20:00
Experience Level: Beginner (All Ages 13+)
Learn how a few common garden plants can be used to make simple and effective first aid preparations at Herbal First Aid: Liniments, Washes & Poultices on Wednesday, June 17 from 5-8 p.m. in the Evergreen Lodge.
Experienced Herbalist Liz Faermark of Talk Wild Herbs will teach students the three key species that are useful as first aid herbs. Students will then explore ways to use these plants in liniments, disinfecting washes, and itch-relieving poultices. Students will leave class with a liniment to reduce bleeding and itch as well as speed up wound recovery time.
$50/person. Register here. Registration will close on June 10 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Liz Faermark has been studying herbalism for over 10 years, nurturing a passion that started in her early 20s when living in Urbana, IL while contributing to many community projects and small businesses including The Red Herring Restaurant, Delight Flower Farm, Common Ground Food Co-op and many more.
Faermark moved to Colorado to deepen her herbal studies and attend the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism where she completed over 1,000 hours of herbal study. Additionally, she worked for nearly seven years at an herbal apothecary making prducts and creating custom herbal formulas for her community. In 2021, Faermark was invted to become a faculty member at the School of Clinical Herbalism where she currently teaches advanced herbal studies.
Her business, Talk Wild Herbs, offers accessible, exciting, and useful herbal education for beginner and advanced herbalists alike. She has taught hundreds of students about this incredible realm of study that connects individuals to their natural environment, our ancestors, and skills to help nurture our health sovereignty.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

(SOLD OUT) The Farms: Herbal First Aid: Oils & Salves
2026-06-16 17:00 - 20:00
Experience Level: Beginner (All Ages 13+)
Learn how a few common garden plants can be used to make simple and effective first aid preparations at Herbal First Aid: Oils & Salves on Tuesday, June 16 from 5-8 p.m. in the Evergreen Lodge.
Experienced herbalist Liz Faermark of Talk Wild Herbs will share information about three key species that are useful as first aid herbs. Students will explore ways to use these plants in salves and oils, and will leave class with a healing salve and oil to use at home for scrapes and cuts.
$50/person. Register here. Registration will close on June 9 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Liz Faermark has been studying herbalism for over 10 years, nurturing a passion that started in her early 20s when living in Urbana, IL while contributing to many community projects and small businesses including The Red Herring Restaurant, Delight Flower Farm, Common Ground Food Co-op and many more.
Faermark moved to Colorado to deepen her herbal studies and attend the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism where she completed over 1,000 hours of herbal study. Additionally, she worked for nearly seven years at an herbal apothecary making prducts and creating custom herbal formulas for her community. In 2021, Faermark was invted to become a faculty member at the School of Clinical Herbalism where she currently teaches advanced herbal studies.
Her business, Talk Wild Herbs, offers accessible, exciting, and useful herbal education for beginner and advanced herbalists alike. She has taught hundreds of students about this incredible realm of study that connects individuals to their natural environment, our ancestors, and skills to help nurture our health sovereignty.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

(SOLD OUT) The Farms: Edible Midwest Natives
2026-06-16 10:00 - 12:30
Experience Level: Beginner
Explore the botany, natural history and flavors of several local wild edible plants at Edible Midwest Natives on Tuesday, June 16 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Evergreen Lodge.
Heidi Leuszler, owner and head chef of Berries and Flour, will focus on native plants that are harvestable at the time of class. Those could include spicebush, common milkweed, nettles, sweet Cicely, black raspberry, American persimmon, common prickly ash and violets.
Students will learn ethical and sustainable foraging practices, look at different types of harvesting gear, and take a short walk into the woods to find, identify and forage edible parts from selected species. Students will then clean, process and eat what was foraged, and will go home with a handful of recipes, samples and plants (resources permitting).
$65/person*. Register here. Registration will close June 9 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring work gloves and snippers/clippers.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Heidi Leuszler grew up harvesting and foraging wherever she lived: mangos in Florida, morels and mustang grapes from the back acre in Missouri, wild strawberries and holly grapes in the Colorado mountains and chokecherries in North Dakota. Those passions remained as she added culinary skills in addition to becoming a professor of environmental science, ecology and botany at Parkland College.
She started Berries and Flour in Champaign as the synergy of several passions: culinary, ecology, growing of plants, foraging and teaching people about the plentiful Midwest land. Berries and Flour teaches how to harvest, process and consume regional foods, collaborates with others to promote food accessibility and justice, and produces value-added products from its commercial kitchen.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

The Farms: Edible Midwest Natives
2026-06-16 10:00 - 12:30
xperience Level: Beginner
Explore the botany, natural history and flavors of several local wild edible plants at Edible Midwest Natives on Tuesday, June 16 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Evergreen Lodge.
Heidi Leuszler, owner and head chef of Berries and Flour, will focus on native plants that are harvestable at the time of class. Those could include spicebush, common milkweed, nettles, sweet Cicely, black raspberry, American persimmon, common prickly ash and violets.
Students will learn ethical and sustainable foraging practices, look at different types of harvesting gear, and take a short walk into the woods to find, identify and forage edible parts from selected species. Students will then clean, process and eat what was foraged, and will go home with a handful of recipes, samples and plants (resources permitting).
$65/person*. Register here. Registration will close June 9 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring work gloves and snippers/clippers.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Heidi Leuszler grew up harvesting and foraging wherever she lived: mangos in Florida, morels and mustang grapes from the back acre in Missouri, wild strawberries and holly grapes in the Colorado mountains and chokecherries in North Dakota. Those passions remained as she added culinary skills in addition to becoming a professor of environmental science, ecology and botany at Parkland College.
She started Berries and Flour in Champaign as the synergy of several passions: culinary, ecology, growing of plants, foraging and teaching people about the plentiful Midwest land. Berries and Flour teaches how to harvest, process and consume regional foods, collaborates with others to promote food accessibility and justice, and produces value-added products from its commercial kitchen.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

SUMMER DAY CAMP: I Spy! presented by Busey Bank
2026-06-15 08:00 - 2026-06-19 15:00
Inspired by the “I Spy!” game and book series, campers will explore Allerton with the intention of finding something new and exciting. Scavenger hunts, treasure maps, and sleuth-work will all be included during Summer Day Camp: I Spy! on June 15-19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Campers will enjoy water activities, gardening, reading, drawing with sidewalk chalk, playing games, eating summer food, and doing lots of exploring at Allerton Park! Register 5- to 7-year-olds as Acorns, while 8- to 11-year-olds are Adventurers.
$200/person for the week*. The following add-ons are available at registration: Early Arrivers from 7-8 a.m. ($15), After Care from 3-5:30 p.m. ($35), and lunch for the week ($25). Campers can also bring their own lunch.
Registration will open March 11 at 9 a.m.
Register your Acorn (Ages 5-7) here.
SOLD OUT Register your Adventurer (Ages 8-11) here. (Adventurers also have the opportunity to go to the Monticello Family Aquatic Center twice a week. Learn more here.)
*Registration fees include two snacks, camp T-shirt and all necessary materials. Campers will need to bring their own water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray and a change of clothes/shoes.
View Camp FAQs here.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Register online (RECOMMENDED): Links to each week of camp will be available on the “Youth” section of our event calendar on March 11 at 9 a.m. You will be able to fill out the registration form and pay for as many weeks as you need online. (If a week of camp is sold out, you will automatically be asked if you would like to be put on the wait list.) If you need assistance, please contact Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
Register in-person: Registration forms to print and fill out can be found here. Be sure to check camp availability on the “Youth” section of our event calendar before submitting your forms in-person.
If your camper will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please contact Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
About Busey Bank
Busey Bank is more than a financial institution—we’re a trusted partner in the communities we serve. For over 150 years, we’ve built lasting relationships by delivering personalized banking solutions while investing in local initiatives that strengthen families, businesses, and neighborhoods.

(SOLD OUT) The Farms: Watercolor Birds
2026-06-14 13:00 - 16:00
Experience Level: Beginner (All Ages 13+)
Learn basic drawing and watercolor techniques at Watercolor Birds on Sunday, June 14 from 1-4 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House.
Instructor Shannon Percoco will lead students in a simple drawing technique to create a graphic transfer of a bird. Students will then learn some basic watercolor techniques to give their drawings life. At the end of the class, students will leave with two completed watercolor birds
$60/person*. Register here. Registration will close June 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students are encouraged to bring the following items:
— a watercolor pallet
— watercolor brushes in various sizes
— pencil and ink pens
— paper or sketchbook suitable for watercolor
Alternatively, students can choose to use Allerton supplies for a $10 fee at registration.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Shannon Percoco is a local art teacher with almost 30 years experience. She is a current UIUC professor who teaches aspiring art teachers. Shannon earned her BFA in Painting from UIUC and has experience painting with watercolors, acrylics, and oils.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Find the complete Summer schedule here.

The Farms: Watercolor Birds
2026-06-14 13:00 - 16:00
