The oldest classroom had no walls. It was a forge, a loom, a garden, a kitchen table. The teacher was a grandparent, a neighbor, or an elder in the community. The lesson was not scheduled; it unfolded through doing, watching, and trying again.

Intergenerational learning is not a modern concept. Stories, skills, and knowledge survived for centuries by being passed down from one generation to the next.

When we stop learning from each other, we lose the stories, the community, and the living texture of a tradition that no tutorial can replicate.

What Is Intergenerational Learning?

Intergenerational learning happens when people of different ages come together to share skills, stories, and ways of seeing the world. It can look like a grandparent and grandchild working side by side, or an older teen becoming a role model for a younger child. Young people gain confidence and real-world knowledge. Older participants rediscover their craft through fresh eyes.

The John C. Campbell Folk School has been living this philosophy for over 100 years. From Appalachian music traditions to woodcarving and weaving, the school has always believed that the best way to keep a tradition alive is to pass it on.

Intergenerational Week

Some of the most meaningful learning happens when families slow down and do something together. Intergenerational Week is a dedicated week-long program that builds community and mentor relationships through shared activities. 

Here’s what the program looks like in practice:

• Who can attend: The program is open to youth ages 12 to 17 attending alongside a parent, grandparent, or guardian.
• How registration works: Each adult and youth pair registers for the same class and works through it together.
• What you’ll learn: Classes span a wide range of crafts, from leatherwork and weaving to music and woodcarving.
• Instructor support: Guidance and support from experienced instructors shape every session.

Classes fill quickly, and for good reason. According to Generations United, 92% of Americans believe intergenerational activities can help reduce loneliness across all ages. A shared project at a workbench is a simple way to start.

Browse currently available Intergenerational Week classes and sign up to secure your spot.

Little Middle Folk School

Intergenerational learning also happens among peers, where older kids naturally guide and impact younger ones. Research shows that elementary and middle school students paired with older teen mentors demonstrate greater connectedness to friends, parents, and school, as well as improvements in self-esteem and peer acceptance. 

Every summer, Little Middle Folk School welcomes children and teens ages 7 to 17 for a week of hands-on learning in Appalachian craft and culture. Students are grouped into Littles (rising 2nd through 6th graders) and Middles (rising 7th through 12th graders), with classes spanning a wide range of crafts and activities:

• Woodcarving
• Basket weaving
• Ceramics
• Fiber arts
• Gourd fairy houses
• Folk dance
• Singing
• Nature exploration

Experienced instructors bring decades of craft knowledge to every session, and older students naturally step into informal leadership roles alongside younger ones. This dynamic creates opportunities for youth mentorship, where skills and confidence grow through shared learning and guidance.

Limited scholarships are available for Cherokee and Clay County residents. Learn more and register for Little Middle.

The Bigger Picture

When people of different ages create something together, the benefits travel in both directions. Research on arts-based intergenerational learning finds that collaborative programs help older participants recognize the real value of their wisdom and experience, while giving younger people a platform for skill-sharing and mutual respect.

Apprenticeship programs and intergenerational learning rooted in traditional craft have always been one of the most reliable ways to keep a culture alive. By passing down techniques, stories, and values through hands-on practice, these systems preserve not just the craft itself but the identity and history tied to it.

An Open Invitation

Learning alongside someone from a different generation is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. Whether it’s a grandparent and grandchild learning a new skill together, or a confident teenager showing a younger child the ropes, those moments become the foundation for connection and confidence.

The Folk School has built two thoughtful programs to make exactly those moments possible. If you are looking for a way to connect with family, learn something new with your hands, and be part of a tradition that matters, the door is open.

Explore Intergenerational Week and Little Middle Folk School and find the experience that’s right for your family.

About the Folk School