Red Fred in the Shed & Orienteering

On Monday at the Hilltown Families Outdoor Adventure Program in Chesterfield, MA, participants continued their exploration and use of a compass. Learning the compass is a skill children can bring with them if they have interests in Orienteering. Williams College in Williamstown, MA, offers several on-line resources on Orienteering, including how to teach orienteering in schools:

“Orienteering is a good way to teach children map skills, and can be integrated with units on geography, math and science. In Sweden, it is a required part of the elementary school curriculum, and in the English-speaking world, it is also an important part of the curriculum in many schools in Scotland, England, parts of Canada, as well as Westchester County and the Seattle area in the United States. In the United States, many individual teachers in other areas would like to incorporate orienteering into the curriculum, and the purpose of this page is to provide some information on resources.”*

SUBMIT AN EVENT

Saturday – 02/16

7am – 10am – FAMILY RADIO – (Air Waves) While traveling around town, tune-in to The River from 7-9am or 103.3 FM from 8-10am to hear fabulous family-friendly music on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child . [All ages] (Free)

8am & 9:15am – KIDS BASKETBALL – (Worthington) Throughout the winter months, the Worthington Recreation Department is offering co-ed basketball program for kids at the town hall. Grades 1-2 begin at 8am. Grades 3-4 begin at 9:15am. No registration is necessary. 413.238.5500 [Ages 6-9] (Free)

10am – 1pm – MUSHING – (Goshen) Bring the family to DAR State Park for a fun hands-on afternoon demonstration. Dog sled rides will be offered. There is also ice skating on the lake, so bring your ice skates, and a warming hut! Dress for the weather. For more information call Hilltown Wilderness Adventures at 413.296.0187. [Families] ($)

10am-4pm – WINTER FARM ACTIVITIES – (Pittsfield) Old fashioned fun at Hancock Shaker Village, Sat.-Mon (02/16-02/18)! Enjoy a long weekend of winter farm activities including ice harvesting, sleigh rides, and walks in the snow. Visitors can carry maple sap from the sugar bush to the boiling pan, help care for animals, and learn about the heirloom seed saving process. 413.443.0188 [All Ages] ($)

11am & 1pm- THEATRE – (Pittsfield) At the Stephen’s Episcopal Church see Tatterhood, a magical tale of a free-spirited girl who combats trolls, saves a princess and enchants a prince-all in her own way! Castle Hill Theatre Company presents an adaptation of the wonderful Norse myth by the same name for children and families. 413.429.1505

11am – FANCY NANCY LUNCHEON (South Deerfield) At Chandler’s Restaurant. Dress fancy had enjoy a fancy luncheon with other fancy girls and guys. 413.665.1277 [All Ages] ($)

5pm-6:30pm – DINNER & ART – (Haydenville) Art Star is hosting a family Valentine’s Day Celebration. Pre-registration: 413.896.3709. [Families] ($$)

7pm-9pm – LIVE MUSIC – (Ashfield) Live music at Elmer’s with Joanie Schwartz. Folk, bluegrass & the blues! First hour geared for kids. Dinner available. [All Ages] (Free)

Sunday – 02/17

10am-4pm – KIDS & AVIATION – (Windsor Locks, CT) The New England Air Museum offers Open Cockpit Sundays, Jan. 20, Feb. 17 and March 16. Families can come climb into the cockpits of up to 12 vintage aircraft, a full-motion flight simulator and two static flight simulators. The aircraft to be open include the famous Vought Corsair of WWII, the North American F-100 Super Sabre, a DC-3 airliner, several helicopters and more. The event will be held inside the Museum’s three large, heated display hangars. The New England Air Museum is adjacent to Bradley International Airport. 860.623.3305 [Families] ($$)

1pm- THEATRE – (Pittsfield) At the Stephen’s Episcopal Church see Tatterhood, a magical tale of a free-spirited girl who combats trolls, saves a princess and enchants a prince-all in her own way! Castle Hill Theatre Company presents an adaptation of the wonderful Norse myth by the same name for children and families. 413.429.1505

2pm-4pm – SNOWSHOE HIKE – (Buckland) At Red Gate Farm this is a chance to walk their wintry trails with snow shoes. Examine animal tracks, observe birds, and discuss the natural history of Red Gate’s forest. Hot cocoa included! Please let us know if you need snowshoes when you register. 413.625.9503 [All Ages] ($)

2pm-4pm – SKIING FOR KIDS – (Windsor) Join Bill Koch Youth Ski League at Notchview. Regular meetings of this family-oriented ski league. Lessons, games, races, and fun. 413.584.1128 [Ages 5-13 & their parents] ($)

3pm-5pm – ICE SKATING – (Easthampton) Open ice skating every Sunday at Williston Northampton School’s Lossone Rink. 413.529.3000 [Families] ($)

4pm – LIVE MUSIC – (Northampton) Grand Tour Flute Concert at Smith College. The Grand Tour or “If it’s Tuesday this must be Mendelssohn.” Flute Music from all over Europe, to include works by Mendelssohn, Henri Dutilleux, Briccialdi and others. Ellen Redman, flute; Clifton J. Noble, Jr., piano. Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall. [All Ages] (Free)

6pm – FULL MOON HIKE – (Williamsburg) A guided hike with Phil and Diane Merritt. Hot cocoa and roasted marshmallows around a campfire. Meet at the Big View Trail Head (1 mile up Unquomock Road from Williamsburg Center) Call for information 413.268.3372 [All Ages] (Free)

SCHOOL VACATION WEEK

8:30am-4:30pm – EXPLORATION CLUB – (Holyoke) Come join The Children’s Museum for an in-depth look at the three R’s of Recycling. The explorer’s club is for children ages 5-12 with a hands-on science curriculum as its foundation. The club members will meet February 18th-22nd from 8:30-4:30, you may sign up for one day or all five days. The explorers will look at objects that are normally discarded and find ways to make them useful once again. How many water bottles are left un-recycled and how can they be made useful again? Taking used office paper and making homemade paper is a great way to start recycling but what happens to your homemade paper once you have created it, can it somehow be used again? These and other questions will be explored in a safe environment. Please call 413-536-7048 ext 207 for more information. [Ages 5-12]

9am-3pm – OUTDOOR ADVENTURES – (Easthampton) Come to Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary to explore the natural world during school vacation (Tuesday-Thursday). Children ages 6 to 11 may sign up for one or all three days since activities will differ. They will begin each day with games, followed by a morning circle that will introduce the theme of the day. Much of each day will be spent outdoors searching for animal tracks and signs, watching birds, and learning about winter adaptations. We will play plenty of games and have a nature mystery and riddle each day. Registration is required. 413.584.3009 [Ages 6-11] ($$$)

THEATRE – (Pittsfield) The Berkshire Museum will partner with the Berkshire Theatre Festival’s BTF PLAYS! to present the Family Performance Aesop’s Network: Broadcasting Theatrical Fables at the Pittsfield YMCA on Monday, February 18, through Saturday, February 23, at the YMCA auditorium, 292 North Street, Pittsfield. For more information call 413.443.7171 x10 [Families] ($)

11am – DYNAMIC DINOSAURS – (Springfield) Prehistoric fun all week at the Springfield Museums. Click here to discover more. [All Ages] ($)

1am-1:50pm – ICE SKATING – (Amherst) There will be a public skate at the Mullins Center Ice Rink 02/18 – 02/20. Skate rentals available. 413.545.3990 [Families] ($)

1pm & 3pm – THEATRE – (Amherst) Annie and Mary, The Pirate Queens at the Eric Carle Museum. Enjoy the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts adaptation of Jane Yolen’s Ballad of the Pirate Queens. From Blackbeard to Captain Hook, pirates have long been an exciting subject. Meet two of history’s most infamous lady pirates in a performance that will have you singing in your seat. 413.658.1126 [Families] ($)

2pm – KIDS FILM FEST – (Northampton) Films all week long (02/17-02/22). Go to www.northamptonartscouncil.org for summary of films and locations. [All Ages] (>$)

3pm – CHILDREN’S THEATRE – (Easthampton) The Rain King at Williston Theatre, Mon. – Sun. (02/18-02/24). 413.529.3434 [All Ages] (>$)

Monday 02/18

SNOW TUBING – (Hancock) Snow tubing at Snowy Owl Tubing Center as part of the Ashfield Youth Commission winter program. 413.625.6173 [Ages 2-10] ($)

10am-Noon – PUPPETS & STORYTELLING – (Shelburne Falls) A Morning of Simple Puppets and Storytelling at the Children’s Art Museum. Call to reg. 413.625.2030 [Families] ($)

2pm-4pm – CRAFT – (Shelburne Falls) Create and make a Softie Creature at the Children’s Art Museum. Call to reg. 413.625.2030 [Families] ($)

Tuesday – 02/19

10am-11:30am – BALLOONS – (Northampton) Ed the Balloon Man at Northampton Center for the Arts. 413.584.7327 [Families] (>$)

12:30pm – MUSIC – (Northampton) Music in the Noon Hour. Wintery Mix II. The Smith Chamber Ensemble explores diverse repertoire in this popular midday series at Smith College. Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall. [All Ages] (Free)

7pm – FAMILY RADIO – (Air Waves) Tune-in between bath and bedtime to the Hilltown Families very own radio show, the Hilltown Family Variety Show, on WXOJ LP 103.3 FM, Valley Free Radio out of Northampton, MA. www.valleyfreeradio.org. [Families] (Free)

Wednesday – 02/20

10am-Noon – ART & CULTURE – (Shelburne Falls) Paper Dolls Around the World at the Children’s Art Museum. Call to reg. 413.625.2030 [Families] ($)

10am – MOVIES – (South Hadley) Mommy & Me movie date at Tower Theaters in the Village Commons. 413.533.FILM [Families] (>$)

10am – KIDS SELF DEFENSE – (South Hadley) Self Defense Class for Children. Kellie A. Cournoyer-Cronk, a Public Safety Officer from Mt Holyoke College, will be teaching a self-defense course for children. Please call for reservations, limited number of spaces available. 413-536-7048 ext 207 ask for Dayna. [Inquire about age] (Free)

11am & 1pm- THEATRE – (Pittsfield) At the Stephen’s Episcopal Church see Tatterhood, a magical tale of a free-spirited girl who combats trolls, saves a princess and enchants a prince-all in her own way! Castle Hill Theatre Company presents an adaptation of the wonderful Norse myth by the same name for children and families. 413.429.1505

11am – TAP DANCE – (North Adams) MASS MoCA’s got the answer. Catch legendary tap dancer Dianne Walker at MASS MoCA who will be offering workshops for all ages. Check www.massmoca.org for more details.

Thursday – 02/21

11am – TAP DANCE – (North Adams) MASS MoCA’s got the answer. Catch legendary tap dancer Dianne Walker at MASS MoCA who will be offering workshops for all ages. Check www.massmoca.org for more details.

2pm – KIDS CONCERT – (Great Barrington) Dog on Fleas will be performing at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center. 413.528.2810 [All Ages]

Open till 8pm – LOCAL LIBRARY – (Williamsburg) Did you know the Meekins Library stays open until 8pm every Thursday? A great thing to have in the winter months. Take the kids in their PJ’s and spend time at the library before bed time reading stories or getting help with homework. [Everyone] (Free)

Friday – 02/22

5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – (Ashfield) Elmer’s invites community members to come together to share dinner and conversation every Friday evening. Click here for menu 413.628.4003 [Families] ($)

6:30pm – LIVE MUSIC – (Haydenville) At the Blue House Cafe catch John Coster performing traditional and original tunes by seasoned folk-rock musican, accompanied by Mary Serreze. [All Ages] (Donation)

7:30pm – BELLY DANCING – (Northampton) Alnilam, a new belly dance troupe directed by Whitney Suter of Attar Dance Company will be joined by a variety of guest dancers for an evening that includes tribal fusion as well as classical belly dance at the Northampton Center for the Arts is on the third floor at 17 New South Street in the Sullivan Building of the Old School Commons. 413.584.7327 [Families] ($)