NARROWSBURG — Tusten Social, a nonprofit organization serving rural Sullivan County, announces the launch of its Teen Club program, a free after-school initiative designed to foster creativity, skill-building, and community connections among local youth. The program runs weekly from February 19 through June 18, 2025, at The Commons, Tusten Social’s Community space at 90 Main Street in Narrowsburg, NY and in select locations in Narrowsburg. 

The weekly after school Teen Club welcomes students in grade 7 and above from Tusten and surrounding areas, including Pennsylvania residents. Sullivan West students can utilize bus transportation to the program, with parent/guardian pickup required afterward. 

The spring program has three session offerings: 

Session 1: Cucina Italian Culinary Exploration (Weds., February 19 - March 26) 

In partnership with the Blue Fox Motel, internationally acclaimed Chef Bruno Carvalho will lead students through a six-week Italian cooking intensive. Chef Carvalho, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate who has developed restaurants worldwide, will teach participants the fundamentals of Italian cuisine, including bread-making, soup preparation, pizza crafting, pasta-making, risotto techniques, and dessert creation. 

Session 2: Art & Design (Weds., April 2 - May 14) no class April 16 

Led by local artist Catherine Chesters, this six-week immersive art and design course introduces teens to the fundamentals of mixed-media art while fostering creative exploration and portfolio development. This experience extends beyond the studio—students will have the opportunity to showcase their work in the Zine Project, which will be presented at the Deep Water Literary Festival. 

Session 3: The Art of the Zine (Weds., May 21 - June 28) 

A five-week creative workshop focusing on self-published magazine creation and design. Workshops will be led by local artists and zine makers. The workshop will culminate in a showcase event during the Deep Water Literary Festival. 

“The afterschool program for local teens represents our commitment to addressing unmet social needs in our rural community,” says Greta Knutzen, cofounder of Tusten Social. “By providing these enriching after-school activities, we’re creating opportunities for teens to develop new skills while building lasting connections with their peers.” 

While the program is free, registration is required by emailing hello@tustensocial.org. Additional teen social events and programs will be announced throughout the year.