Learn and Inspire

Step into the art and science of traditional soap making in this hands-on class designed for beginners and curious makers alike. Guided by experienced instructors, guests will learn the fundamentals of crafting high-quality, small-batch soap using time-honored methods and thoughtfully selected ingredients.

During the class, participants will explore the soap-making process from start to finish—understanding oils, butters, scents, and additives, as well as proper techniques for mixing, pouring, and curing. We’ll discuss how ingredients work together, how scent and texture are developed, and what makes a bar both beautiful and functional.

This class is equal parts education and experience. Guests are encouraged to ask questions, engage their senses, and gain the confidence to recreate what they’ve learned at home. Each participant will leave with a deeper appreciation for handcrafted soap and a practical foundation to continue exploring the craft.

No prior experience is required. All materials are provided.

This class is part of the School at Great Meadow’s ongoing calendar of workshops celebrating traditional skills, creativity, and community.

 Create Your Scent. Keep the Secret.

Lake Perfumery is an intimate, guided fragrance experience where guests are invited to create a scent that is uniquely their own. In this hands-on session, participants explore the art of perfumery—learning how individual notes work together to form a balanced, personal fragrance.

Guided by scent specialists, guests will be introduced to a curated selection of fragrance notes and accords. You’ll discover how top, middle, and base notes interact, how scent evolves on the skin, and how personal memory and preference shape fragrance choice.

This experience is thoughtful, relaxed, and highly personal. There is no rush and no pressure—only exploration, creativity, and discovery. Whether you prefer something light and fresh, warm and grounded, or rich and expressive, you’ll leave with a custom fragrance blended by you and for you.

No prior experience is necessary. All materials are provided, and each guest takes home their custom-created scent.

Lake Perfumery is part of the School at Great Meadow’s calendar of curated experiences, celebrating craftsmanship, creativity, and the joy of making something meaningful.

The Duval Sunset Candle-Making Experience is a hands-on, immersive workshop where guests slow down, create intentionally, and leave with something truly their own.

Hosted as part of School at Great Meadow, this experience invites participants behind the scenes of small-batch candle production. Guests learn the fundamentals of candle making—from wax selection and wick types to fragrance blending and vessel choice—while creating a candle that reflects their personal style and mood.

During the class, guests will:

• Learn about soy wax and clean-burning techniques
   
• Explore fragrance composition and how scents work together
   
• Choose their vessel and wick style
   
• Pour and finish their own custom candle
   
• Gain insight into the care, curing, and longevity of handmade candles
   

The experience is approachable, welcoming, and designed for all skill levels—whether someone is brand new to candle making or simply curious about the craft.

More than a class, it’s a moment of creativity, connection, and calm—rooted in the same care and craftsmanship that define Duval Sunset Candles.

Guests leave with:

• A handmade candle they created themselves
   
• A deeper appreciation for artisan candle making
   
• A memorable experience tied to scent, story, and place

Story Structure Using the Syd Field Method

The Writing & Screenplay Workshop at School at Great Meadow is a hands-on storytelling experience built around the Syd Field Method—one of the most widely used story-structure frameworks in modern screenwriting, television, and long-form narrative.

This class is designed for writers, storytellers, content creators, and entrepreneurs who want to turn ideas into clear, compelling stories—whether for books, screenplays, short films, video content, or brand storytelling.

Rather than focusing on theory alone, the workshop emphasizes practical creation. Guests actively develop their own story during class, using structure as a creative guide—not a limitation.

The Laser-Cut Valentine Ornament Building Experience at School at Great Meadow is a hands-on creative class designed especially for children ages 8–12, where kids create a wooden Valentine ornament for someone they love.

In this small-group workshop (only five children per class), each child selects a laser-cut wooden ornament and transforms it into a one-of-a-kind Valentine keepsake through painting, decorating, and personal touches.

This experience blends creativity, craftsmanship, and heart, giving kids the joy of making a meaningful gift with their own hands.

Each child chooses one laser-cut wooden ornament to decorate:

• 🐶 Dog
   
• 🐱 Cat
   
• 🦔 Hedgehog
   
• 🐧 Penguin
   
• 🦌 Deer
   

All ornaments are pre-cut from smooth, kid-friendly wood and sized perfectly for decorating and hanging.