INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION • KNIFE HANDLING • 5 to 1 RATIO • OVEN SAFETY • TECHNIQUE • LIFE SKILLS • RECIPE READING • PARTNERED IN GROUPS OF 2 • FUN & CREATIVE ATMOSPHERE •
Confidence Through Creation
We believe working with your hands is a powerful way to build confidence, independence, and lifelong capabilities. Through fun, interactive, and hands-on experiences, kids ages 6 to 13 are given an opportunity to learn, experiment, fail safely and try again. They will be taught the foundational techniques in baking, cooking, crafting, woodworking, and sewing—such as knife and tool safety, measuring, following detailed instructions, and handling equipment properly.
By engaging in these creative building projects, children practice vital life management habits while developing teamwork, responsibility, time management, and problem-solving. Our goal is to foster personal growth, self-reliance, and real-world readiness, helping every child discover what they are truly capable of—one project, one critical life skill, and one success at a time.
This is not just another cooking and crafting class, but rather a place where kids will learn essential skills they'll use throughout their adult life. Confidence through creation, every project builds life skills.
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The Makery Difference
Small Groups, Individual Attention & Experienced Leadership
With a 5:1 camper-to-instructor ratio and just 10 kids per session, every camper gets plenty of hands-on time, guidance, and individual attention.
Our programs are thoughtfully curated and led by Co-Founder Hayley Schilling, a highly regarded, qualified, and experienced Child Development Specialist. Hayley brings decades of experience, creativity, and a deep understanding of how kids learn, engage, and build confidence through hands-on experiences.
Cooking & Creativity with a Purpose – Real Skills & Real Hands-on Experiences
Cooking classes take place in a commercial kitchen with five individual stoves, where kids work in teams of two and learn to follow a recipe from start to finish—from preheating the oven and measuring ingredients to chopping, mixing, cooking, and time management. Along the way, they build kitchen skills, teamwork, organization, and confidence—often bringing home something delicious to share.
In our spacious creative studio, kids design, build, experiment, and make through thoughtfully curated projects that encourage hands-on creativity and imagination.
At The Makery, kids aren't just watching—they're doing. Cooking, creative projects, practical life skills, teamwork, and hands-on challenges help build confidence and independence.
Our Location
The Makery is located on a beautiful gated, 10-acre property in Encino, conveniently located near the 101 and 405 freeways, with trees, gardens, walking paths, and plenty of outdoor space to explore.
Scholarship Opportunities
We believe more kids should have the opportunity to experience The Makery. That’s why we reserve a scholarship spot in every session for a child who may not otherwise be able to attend.
Allergy & Special Needs Friendly
Every child is different, and we encourage families to talk with us about their individual needs.
For food allergies and dietary concerns, families can speak directly with Co-Founder Hilary, who has more than seven years of personal experience managing food allergies and navigating cross-contamination for her own child. We’ll do our best to accommodate your child—or provide a full refund if we can’t or you don’t feel comfortable.
For developmental, behavioral, or other support needs, families can connect directly with Hayley, whose expertise includes working with neurodivergent children.
Meet Hilary & Hayley
The Moms Behind The Makery Studios
Hilary Belous and Hayley Schilling are lifelong friends, business partners, and moms who share a belief that kids are capable of far more than we sometimes give them the opportunity to discover.
Together, they created The Makery Studios—a hands-on learning experience where the kitchen becomes a place to build far more than great food. Through thoughtfully designed, skill-based programming, campers cook, create, problem-solve, collaborate, and take on real responsibilities while developing the confidence and independence that come from learning to do things for themselves.
Hilary Belous | Co-Founder & Business Director
Hilary is an accomplished entrepreneur with extensive experience building, growing, and managing her own businesses. At The Makery Studios, she leads business strategy, operations, and the overall camper and family experience.
From the details families see to the systems working behind the scenes, Hilary's focus is creating an environment that feels polished and thoughtfully organized while remaining warm, personal, and genuinely fun. Her vision for The Makery Studios is to give kids the kind of experience parents value just as much as their children do—one that is memorable in the moment and meaningful long after camp ends.
Hayley Schilling | Co-Founder, Camp Director & Lead Instructor
Hayley holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Child Development from California State University, Northridge, and is a Child Development Specialist with decades of experience working with children from preschool through elementary school, with specialized expertise in supporting neurodivergent children.
She is the creative and educational force behind The Makery Studios' curriculum, personally developing and leading programming that goes well beyond traditional cooking classes. Each session is intentionally designed around a combination of practical skills, creative challenges, and real-world learning—from knife safety, cooking techniques, recipe planning, and preparing multi-dish meals to teamwork, time management, communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and responsibility.
Hayley's approach gives campers the opportunity to learn by doing. They plan, measure, prepare, create, troubleshoot, collaborate, and ultimately experience the satisfaction of accomplishing something themselves.
Her goal is simple: for every camper to leave The Makery Studios more capable and confident than when they arrived—with new skills, a greater sense of independence, and the pride that comes from saying, “I made that.”