Weekly Suggested Events for March 27 – April 2, 2021
Home < Weekly Suggested Events < March 27-April 2, 2021

Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking curriculum ideas for remote learning or homeschooling? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family. Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
15 SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
10 LEARNING RESOURCES
MUSEUM ADVENTURES: “How People Make Things” at the Springfield Science Museum
FAMILY MUSIC. Hilltown Family Variety Show
NATURE-BASED LEARNING. Resources for Educators and Homeschooling Parents with The Trustees
GARDEN-BASED LEARNING: Smithsonian Gardens Green Ambassador
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: Greenberg Family Conservation Area (Westhampton)
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN. Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. Trails at Mass Audubon
NATURE-BASED LEARNING. Nature Tables
LANGUAGE ARTS. Literary Guides
PLACE-BASED LEARNING. Learning Ahead: Cultural Itinerary for Western Massachusetts
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities

River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC) is a multi-faceted community-based mental health agency that has been changing lives and empowering people throughout the Pioneer Valley since 1953. Offices are located in Easthampton, Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield, and opening an office soon in Westfield on April 1st. RVCC partners with school districts throughout Hampden and Hampshire Counties to provide therapy to students during the school day. RVCC is hiring clinicians! They offer a flexible schedule, bonuses for licensed and bilingual applicants, $1000 CEU benefit, $5,000 annual tuition reimbursement, generous health benefits, and more! Visit www.rvccinc.org to view current career opportunities and sign up for one of RVCC’s Virtual Hiring Events.

FEATURED SUMMER CLASSES
Sattva Center for Archery Training
Florence, MA

Dates: April-October, 2021
Age Range: 7-Adults
Contact: 774-261-3399 ♦ serahrose@sattvaarchery.com
♦ www.sattvaarchery.com
Archery classes all summer! Sattva Center for Archery Training offers outside socially distanced target archery classes all week, all summer at Look Memorial Park. Sattva’s experienced coaches provide a welcoming and professional atmosphere for participants of all levels. All classes are multi-generational and multi-level: an excellent experience for family groups and friend pods! Classes meet once a week for five weeks. Private lessons and custom groups are also available. Equipment included. Para-athletes are welcome. For youths ages 7+ through adults. Inner Strength Through Archery.
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Stoneleigh-Burnham School
Greenfield, MA

Dates: June 20-August 13, 2021
Age Range: 8-18yo
Contact: 413-774-2711 x255
♦ summerprograms@sbschool.org
♦ sbschool.org/summer
Stoneleigh-Burnham School (SBS) is offering five summer opportunities! SBS offers Speak Up I and II, debate and public speaking camps for girls ages 10-18. These programs are a low-key, fun way to learn to empower their voice through conversation, debate, and public speaking. The Performing Arts Camp will offer dance, voice, and theater to coed campers ages 10-18; campers will work towards a culminating event showing all they have learned. The premier Bonnie Castle Riding Camp, a program for girls ages 8-16, is for riders of all skill levels. Girls and boys between the ages of 7-12 can also learn how to ride in the Horsemanship Day Camp.
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Amherst Montessori School
Summer Discovery
Amherst, MA

Dates: June 28-August 6, 2021; Age Range of Participants: 15mo-6yo
Contact: 413-253-3101
♦ jhesse@amherstmontessori.org
♦ amherstmontessori.org
Amherst Montessori School will offer two 3-week play-based Summer Discovery sessions for ages 15 months through 6 years old. Children will spend much of their time outside, engaging in games, movement activities, arts and crafts, and exploring the natural world of the school’s south Amherst campus. Each 3-week session will have a limited number of children in separated cohorts for toddlers and preschool/kindergarten age. Children who nap will do so inside their cohort’s designated classroom space, with ERV ventilation and air-purifiers. Summer Discovery runs from 8:30am-4pm daily and is $350/week.
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Summer at The Academy at Charlemont
Charlemont, MA

Academy Summer Programs tap into The Academy’s artistic, outdoor, and academic communities by enabling students to explore areas of interest in a safe, in-person, outdoor environment. Offerings are week-long, half or full days for rising 4th – 10th graders.
Dates: July 12-August 6, 2021; Age Range of Participants: 9-16y
Contact: 413-339-4912
♦ summer@charlemont.org
♦ www.charlemont.org
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
Cloverdale Preschool
Florence, MA

Preschool ♦ Ages 2.9-5yrs
For more information: cloverdale2@verizon.net; 413-586-1106; www.cloverdalepreschool.com.
Cloverdale Preschool is a parent cooperative program focusing on social-emotional development and problem-solving skills. Teachers are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment with sensory-based experiences that promote confidence through exploration. Cloverdale is a small, close-knit community with a low teacher-child ratio, offering high-quality early education to children ages 2.9-5. Half/full day schedules available for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days during the academic year. Extended day hours offer unique STEAM activities. A large playground has a variety of gross motor equipment and plenty of space to run. DEEC licensed.
FEATURED SCHOOL
Amherst Montessori
Amherst, MA

Families are invited to discover the warm, welcoming community of Amherst Montessori School, with dedicated teachers, administrators, and fellow parents who strive to create a sense of belonging for each child and family. Prospective families are encouraged to set-up a virtual or socially-distanced outside tour with the Director of Admissions & Learning Support, Julie Tanguay. Explore the hands-on, child-centered Montessori curriculum, and learn about the engaging community of Amherst Montessori School. Apply now for the 2021-22 school year. Schedule options from a partial day to a full day with extended hours. More information at amherstmontessori.org.
FEATURED SCHOOL
Learn at Morse Hill
Outdoor Education Center
Shutesbury, MA

Learn at Morse Hill Outdoor Education Center is now enrolling for Fall 2021! This fully outdoor elementary program serves students in grades K-6. Experienced and caring educators offer hands-on, experiential learning with a project-based focus within a small school community. Students follow the rhythms of the land and seasons and learn within a framework that emphasizes social-emotional growth, stewardship, and collaboration. More information about programs, curriculum, and staff can be found at www.schoolatmorsehill.org. Prospective families are invited to attend a Zoom Information Session or schedule a tour of the school’s 85-acre campus. For more information, reach out to the leadership team at admin@schoolatmorsehill.org.

SEE YOUR AD HERE
Partner with Hilltown Families in your online advertising! Delivering your message each week to over 25,000 subscribers, web visitors, and social media followers, Hilltown Families can bring your message to thousands of readers in Western MA who are committed to their community and willing to support one another in times of need. In-person and virtual event organizers, local and online businesses, virtual and local service providers, non-profit organizations, and individuals are encouraged to reach out to find out about our affordable advertising options and marketing packages. To find out how we can partner together in your online marketing and outreach, contact Sienna at swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org.

Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021

ORNITHOLOGY. 8-10am. Beginner’s Bird Walk with Mass Audubon Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary (Easthampton, MA)
FAMILY RADIO. 9am. Hilltown Family Variety Show with Guest DJs Kelli Welli & James Coffey (Radio Broadcast)
SUGAR SEASON. 9:30am-4pm. Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village (In-Person)
SING-ALONG. 10am. Jones Library Kids Room Presents: Stuffed Animal Sing-Along with Julie Stepanek (Virtual)
PLANT ECOLOGY. 10am-12pm. Twigs, Buds, and Emerging Plants (Lenox, MA)
LOCAL FOOD/FARMERS’ MARKET. 10am-2pm. Berkshire Grown Winter Farmers Market (Great Barrington, MA)
PLANT BIOLOGY. 10am. Winter Ecology: Twigs, Buds, and Emerging Plants with Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley (Lenox, MA)
EASTER. 10am. Easter Egg Hunt at Longmeadow Shops (Longmeadow, MA)
FOLK ART. 10am-12pm. Slavic Egg Decorating Workshop at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum (Lenox, MA)
AEROSPACE. 10:30am-2:30pm. Women Take Flight at the New England Air Museum. (Windsor Locks, CT)
EASTER. 11am-3pm. Easter Eggspress at the Connecticut Trolley Museum (Windsor Locks, CT)
NATURAL HISTORY. 12pm. Guided Mount Fuji Climb and Tour of the Cherry Blossoms of Japan (Virtual)
FOLK ART. 1-3pm. Slavic Egg Decorating Workshop at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum (Lenox, MA)
ENVIRONMENTALISM. 4:30pm. Earth Hour (Virtual)
EASTER. 6pm. Palm Sunday Tour of Jerusalem (Virtual)
MAGIC. 6pm. Magic Workshop (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 7pm. Afro-Cuban Jazz Quartet Concert with UMass Fine Arts Center. (Virtual)
THEATER STUDIES. 7:30pm. Interactive Online Play in Two Worlds with Silverthorne Theater Co. (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 8:30pm. Musical Trip Across All Continents (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
PLANT ECOLOGY
Sat., Mar. @ 10am-12pm
Twigs, Buds, and Emerging Plants
Pleasant Valley (Lenox, MA)
Self-Directed Learning:
FOLK ART
Sat., Mar. @ 10am-12pm
Slavic Egg Decorating Workshop
Ventfort Hall (Lenox, MA)
SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

SUGAR SEASON. 9:30am-4pm. Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village (In-Person)
WORLD HISTORY. 11am. WWII: History Tour of Normandy (Virtual)
EASTER. 11am-3pm. Easter Eggspress at the Connecticut Trolley Museum (Windsor Locks, CT)
NATURAL HISTORY. 12pm. African Safari (Virtual)
SOCIAL JUSTICE. 2pm. Histories of American Protest and Activism (Virtual)
THEATER STUDIES. 3:pm. Interactive Online Play in Two Worlds with Silverthorne Theater Co. (Virtual)
PASSOVER. 5:30pm. Egypt to Sinai to Israel (The Passover Journey) (Virtual)
PASSOVER. 5:30pm. Young Family Passover Seder (Ages 0-8) with Congregation B’nai Israel of Northampton. (Virtual)
PASSOVER. 6pm. Family Seder Jam with Congregation B’nai Israel of Northampton. (Virtual)
PASSOVER. 7pm. Community Passover Seder with Congregation B’nai Israel of Northampton. (Virtual)
MUSIC HISTORY. 8pm. History of Jazz Musical Tour and Concert (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
HOLI
The Hindu festival, Holi, also known as the “festival of colors,” is this weekend!
MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021
PLAYGROUP. 9:30-11:30am. Preschool Play Program (Great Barrington, MA)
PreK MUSIC. 10:30am. Sing With Your Little Ones with Pelham Library. (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 11am. Spring Story Time on the lawn at the Hubbard Library (Ludlow, MA/Hybrid)
LITERACY. 11am. Kindergarten Write and Read (Great Barrington, MA)
PreK LITERACY. 11am & 2pm. Storytime at the Amelia Park Children’s Museum (In-Person)
SOCIAL JUSTICE. 4pm. Conversations with Visionary Indigenous Artists (Virtual)
DANCE STUDIES. 4:30pm. Youth Hip Hop dance class for ages 8-12 (Virtual)
WORLD GEOGRAPHY. 7pm. Middle East: Guided Tour of Petra and Amman Jordan (Virtual)
BIOCHEMISTRY. 7pm. “Bacteria, RNA-binding proteins and curiosity-driven science” with SciTech Cafe. (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
BIOLOGY
Mon., Mar. 29 @ 7pm
“Bacteria, RNA-binding proteins and curiosity-driven science” with SciTech Cafe. (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
MUSIC HISTORY
Mon., Mar. 29 @ 4:30pm
Youth Hip Hop dance class
for ages 8-12 (Virtual)
TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021
PLAYGROUP. 10am. Playgroup with Hatfield Library. (Email for Zoom link) kids.hatfieldlibrary@gmail.com (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10am. Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Rhyme Time with South Hadley Public Library. (Virtual)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
STE(A)M. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum(West Springfield, MA)
STE(A)M. 4:30pm. DIY Sand Art (Ages 5-8) with Hubbard Memorial Library. (Virtual)
SOIL SCIENCE. 7pm. Healthy Soil, Healthy Gardens with Grown in Westhampton. (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 7pm. WWII: Tour of Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki (Virtual)
GARDENING. 7pm. Perennial Gardens and Edible Hedges with NOFA (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
HERPETOLOGY
Self-Directed Learning:
HERPETOLOGY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021

PREK MUSIC & MOVEMENT. 9:30am. Interactive Music & Movement Workshop for Caregivers + Kids 1-5yrs (Virtual)
PLAYGROUP. 9:30-11:30am. Preschool Play Program in Great Barrington
PreK MUSIC. 10:30am. Family Jam (Virtual)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
FIBER ARTS. 12pm. Knot Just Knitters with the Springfield City Library (Virtual)
PALEONTOLOGY. 12pm. So You Want to be a Paleontologist? with the Connecticut Science Center. (Virtual)
STE(A)M. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
PreK LITERACY. 4pm. Cushman Library Story Hour with the Cushman Library (Virtual)
RACE. 6-8pm. Mindful of Race with Meekins Library. (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 6:30pm. Tour and Experience of Bali Indonesia (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
NATURAL HISTORY
Wed., Mar. @ 12pm
So You Want to be a Paleontologist? Connecticut Science Center. (Virtual)
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021
VOLUNTEER SERVICE. 8am-5pm. Dakin Humane Society Pet Food Drive (Springfield & Leverett, MA)
EDUCATION. 8:30am. Coffee with the Admission Office with The Bement School. (Virtual)
LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION. 9am. Edible Book Festival with UMass Amherst Libraries. (Virtual)
STE(A)M. 9:30am. Sensory Bottle (ages 3-5) with Storrs Library. (Virtual)
PreK DEVELOPMENT. 9:30am. Grow Play & Learn Weekly Group with Hubbard Memorial Library (Virtual)
PreK PLAYGROUP. 10am Music & Movement with the Montague Libraries (Virtual)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum (In-Person)
MINDFULNESS. 2:45pm. Teen Mindfulness Course with the Tilton Library (Virtual)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
COMPUTER SCIENCE. 4:15pm. Smart Home Devices: Why They Don’t Always Work Correctly (Virtual)
IRISH HISTORY. 6pm. Irish History Course with Irish Cultural Center of Western New England. (Virtual)
GARDEN HISTORY. 6:30pm. Gorgeous Gardens of New England. Southwick Public Library (Virtual)
CHILD WELFARE. 7:30pm. This Little Light of Mine to kick-off National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month at Childs Park (Northampton, MA)
Self-Directed Learning:
PASTRY ARTS
Thurs., Apr. 1 @ 9am
Edible Book Festival with UMass Amherst Libraries. (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
IRISH HISTORY
Thurs., Apr. 1 @ 6pm
Irish History Course with Irish Cultural Center of Western New England. (Virtual)
FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021
VOLUNTEER SERVICE. 8am-5pm. Dakin Humane Society Pet Food Drive (Springfield & Leverett, MA)
PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Storytime with the Lenox Library (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10am. Virtual Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
EASTER. 11am-1pm. Easter Egg Hunt at New England Air Museum (Windsor Locks, CT)
EASTER. 11am-3pm. Easter Eggspress at the Connecticut Trolley Museum (Windsor Locks, CT)
GOVERNMENT. 2pm. Civics 101: Political Parties with Arvid E. Miller Library Museum and Cultural Affairs Department (Virtual)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
COMMUNITY MEAL. 5pm. Baked Haddock Fish Dinner with North Adams Elks 487 (North Adams, MA)
ART HISTORY. 6pm. The Woman Who Stole Vermeer with Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 7pm. Italy: Guided Tour of the Amalfi Coast (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 7pm. Old Time & Gypsy Jazz, Klezmer, American, and International Jazz Standards (Virtual)
ASTRONOMY. 7-8:30pm. Springfield Museums’ Stars over Springfield Program (Virtual)
THEATER STUDIES. 7:30pm. Interactive Online Play in Two Worlds with Silverthorne Theater Co. (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
CULINARY ARTS
Fri., Apr. 2 @ 5pm
Baked Haddock Fish Dinner with North Adams Elks 487 (North Adams, MA)
Self-Directed Learning:
WORLD CULTURE
Fri., Apr. 2 @ 7pm
Italy: Guided Tour of the Amalfi Coast
(Virtual)
Weekly eNewsletter
Online and in-person events and resources shared above are done so as a courtesy and not as an endorsement. While we do our best to share accurate and up-to-date information, please take the time to confirm information, age appropriateness, registration requirements, safety protocols, and associated costs.
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Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Agawam, Amherst, Buckland, Charlemont/Hawley, Chester, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Colrain, Deerfield, Easthampton, Gill, Goshen, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Heath, Holyoke, Huntington, Leyden, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Northfield, Palmer, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Tolland, Tyringham, Windsor, and Worthington. Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.