Hilltown Families 
Weekly Suggested Events for May 8-14, 2021
Home < Weekly Suggested Events < May 8-14, 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!
14 SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
10 LEARNING RESOURCES
LOCAL HISTORY. Learn About Western Massachusetts Communities & History on Foot with Self-Guided Walking Tours!
ART STUDIES. Illustration History: Online Educational Resource & Archive for the Art of Illustration
SOCIAL STUDIES. Maps of Massachusetts: Supporting Social Studies & Local History
WOMEN’S STUDIES. Local Women & Local History: Understanding New England Women’s Lives from the Past
CREATIVE-FREE PLAY. What to Play? Play Ideas for Family & Community
ASIAN AMERICA. Resources and Strategies for Teaching about Asian America and Addressing Anti-Asian Racism
LOCAL HISTORY. History at Home with Historic Northampton
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. DCR Trip Tip Self-Guided Family Adventures
INDIGENOUS AMERICAN. Native Life and Food: Food is More Than Just What We Eat
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. Trails at Mass Audubon
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
Charlemont, MA ♦ The Recovery Theatre is a performing arts experience for young people overcoming trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, and other behavioral health challenges. This post-workshop 5-day intensive is for any teen living with circumstances that present barriers to them becoming their fullest selves. Their innovative strength-based, holistic model—they integrate therapeutic horseback riding, circus silks, trapeze, ziplines, white water rafting, aerial park, and the gorgeous natural landscape of West County—takes into account adolescents developing endocrine and nervous systems, incorporates families, social supports and emphasizes peer interactions. Join the summer spectacle! (See Hilltown Youth Performing Arts Programs). Visit their website to learn how they opened safely in 2020. Dates: August 6-10, 2021; Age Range: 12-18yo & 18 -24yo. Contact: 413-625-2100. hilltownyouth@gmail.com; hilltownyouth.org.
Charlemont, MA ♦ Perform under the stars on an aerial park, zipline and mountaintop at Berkshire East ensemble and theatergoers reach by chairlift! The Hilltown Youth Theatre Summer Workshop offers intensive, outdoor training for aspiring actors, artists, dancers, musicians, singers, and circus performers (trapeze, fabrics, stilts, German wheel) with Knighthorse Theatre, Double Edge Theatre, and other luminaries from the Valley’s performing arts community. HS-aged ensemble members can apply for their youth Job Corps program. So teens supporting and creating all this vibrant youth and performing arts culture get to be part of the creative arts economy which we all benefit from! (No prior experience required.) Visit their website to learn how they opened safely in 2020. Dates: July 12-August 4, 2021; Age Range: 7-18yo. Contact: 413-625-2100. hilltownyouth@gmail.com; hilltownyouth.org.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
Prelude Preschool of the Arts
Springfield, MA
Prelude Preschool of the Arts in Springfield offers five-day arts-integrated learning & play for ages 2.9-5. Full & half-day programming options feature specialized classes taught by expert musicians & artists in the areas of early childhood music, dance, yoga, Suzuki violin, bucket drumming, & visual art. Prelude Preschool’s arts-centered curriculum, in partnership with Enchanted Circle Theater, supports social-emotional development while fostering creativity & a lifelong love for learning. Flexible before & aftercare is available. Regularly scheduled family nights facilitate community connection & collaboration. Take a tour of their refreshed classrooms, renovated for optimal learning. prelude@communitymusicschool.com 413-750-9560
FEATURED SALE
River Valley Co-op
Northampton, MA
River Valley Co-op’s much-anticipated spring plant sale is happening May 7th, 8th, and 9th. This socially distanced event is being held outside in their parking lot and will feature a huge selection of local, organic, and heirloom varieties of veggies, herbs, and flowers. Kick off the gardening season in the Valley with some high-quality starts from your local co-op! Everyone welcome! 330 N. King St., Northampton, MA. 413-584-2665.
www.rivervalley.coop
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Deerfield Academy Summer Arts Camp (DASAC)
Deerfield, MA
Dates: July 6-August 13, 2021
Age Range: 11-16yo
Contact: 413-774-1405
♦ jbechtold@deerfield.edu
♦ bit.ly/dasac21registration
In its 31st year, DASAC has been a creative haven for 11-16 year-olds around the Pioneer Valley. DASAC believes in creating a safe space for campers to be their most inspired and weirdest selves in a community of generous, socially-conscious peers. With their wide array of studio offerings across the visual & performing arts, their novel cross-disciplinary projects, and their trust in adolescent creativity, DASAC is the kind of place where campers come into themselves while making enduring relationships with others. After a triumphant 2020 remote experience, DASAC staff looks to drive their 2021 virtual program by helping campers build an exciting bridge out of the pandemic into the chapters ahead that connects them to new folk. Financial aid available. Session 1 – July 6-23; Session 2 – July 27-August 13.
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Camp Lion Knoll
Leyden, MA
Dates: June 28-August 20, 2021
Age Range: 4.5-13yo
Contact: 413-774-7407
♦ srickman@girlsclubofgreenfield.org
♦ www.girlsclubofgreenfield.org
Leyden, MA ♦ Camp Lion Knoll provides children from 4.5 years to 14 years of age a summer camp experience when the public schools are not in session. Their program allows parents to attend school, work, and/or receive special services while knowing their child is busy and safe. Camp Lion Knoll promotes social and emotional learning and provides children with quality out-of-school time experience that studies show can help stem academic declines typical of a summer break. Campers are also provided with a structured meal schedule and nutritious meals during the summer.
FEATURED AUTISM RESOURCE
Zephyr Behavioral Healthcare
Hatfield, MA
Preschool. Early Childhood Education Program. ♦ Ages 2-6yrs
For more information: 413-247-6364; info@zephyrbehavioral.org; www.zephyrbehavioral.org
Zephyr Behavioral Healthcare provides Center-Based ABA services to children with autism, ages 2-6. First and foremost, they want their clients to love learning. They challenge the stereotype of monotonous and repetitive behavior therapy by centering their services around play. They weave together data-driven results with a nurturing, fun-loving environment to create a balanced intervention. Their program simulates a preschool environment, with individualized and group instruction throughout the day. With 1:1 support and supervision, they identify the key skills that will prepare their clients to succeed in other environments later in life. They then break down these skills, teach smaller goals, build a strong foundation, and fill their clients’ toolboxes for the future.
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, MAY 8, 2021
NUTRITIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY. The Story of the Lūʻau: Dance and Cooking Demonstration with Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (Virtual)
ART STUDIES. Take a self-guided tour of outdoor public art The Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, and WCMA (Northern Berkshire Cty.)
ART STUDIES. World Collage Day with IS183 Art School of the Berkshires (Stockbridge, MA)
ORNITHOLOGY. 7-10am. Birding Workshop: Wrens, Rails, & Other Marsh Birds at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (Lenox, MA)
RADIO SHOW. 9am. HFVS Mother’s Day Episode with Guest DJ, Flor Bromley (Broadcast)
ECOLOGY. 9am. The Nature of Spring at Mass Audubon Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary (Easthampton, MA)
ECOLOGY. 9am Forest Bathing at the Hitchcock Center at Hitchcock Center for the Environment (Amherst, MA)
BOTANY. 9am-5pm. Plant sale at the Berkshire Botanical Garden (Stockbridge, MA)
RACISM. 9:30am. Growing Anti-Racist Children, hosted by the Northampton Preschool Partnership (Virtual)
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-5pm. “How People Make Things” at the Springfield Science Museum
BOTANY. 11am-12:30pm. Family Wildflower Search at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (Lenox, MA)
NATURAL HISTORY. 11am. Tour of Antarctica, including the South Pole (Virtual)
ANIMAL STUDIES. 11am-3:15pm. Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm at Hancock Shaker Village (Pittsfield, MA)
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY. 12-1:30pm. The African Burial Grounds 30 Years Later: Impacts on Black Cemeteries with the National Museum of African American History & Culture (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 2-3:30pm. Intergenerational Chamber Music with Berkshire Music School (Pittsfield, MA)
MUSIC STUDIES. 5pm. Springfield Symphony Orchestra Spring 2021 Chamber Concert Series with Springfield Symphony Orchestra (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 7pm. Tour of New Zealand (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
TORTILLAS
Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD TRADITIONS
SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021
PLAYGROUPS. Northern Berkshire Cty Family Center Activities
ART STUDIES. Take a self-guided tour of outdoor public art The Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, and WCMA (Northern Berkshire Cty.)
NUTRITIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY. The Story of the Lūʻau: Dance and Cooking Demonstration with Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (Virtual)
ECOLOGY. 10am. Spring Understory Walk at Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area (Florence, MA)
CULINARY ARTS. 11am-1pm. Mother’s Day Brunch. What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than brunch and by cooking it together? In this tasty virtual class, your family will team up to prepare more fun dishes when made together. (Virtual)
ANIMAL STUDIES. 11am-3:15pm. Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm at Hancock Shaker Village (Pittsfield, MA)
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am-5pm. “How People Make Things” at the Springfield Science Museum
NATURALIST SKILLS. 12pm. Nature Journaling with Yolo Audubon Society (Virtual)
ART STUDIES. 12pm. Tour of Barcelona through the Eyes of Gaudi and Picasso (Virtual)
BOTANY. 1:30-3pm. Guided Fern and Wildflower Walk with the Pioneer Valley Fern Society. Learn to identify spring wildflowers and ferns. (Sunderland, MA)
NATURAL HISTORY. 7pm. Guided African Safari (Virtual)
MONDAY, MAY 10, 2021
PLAYGROUPS. Northern Berkshire Cty Family Center Activities
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
PLAYGROUP. 9:30-11:30am. Preschool Play Program (Great Barrington, MA)
PLAYGROUP. 10am. At the James School. (Williamsburg, MA)
PreK MUSIC. 10:30am. Sing With Your Little Ones with Pelham Library (Virtual)
LITERACY. 11am. Kindergarten Write and Read (Great Barrington, MA)
PreK LITERACY. 11am & 2pm. Storytime at the Amelia Park Children’s Museum (Westfield, MA)
PreK LITERACY. 11am. Spring Story Time on the lawn at the Hubbard Library (Ludlow, MA/Hybrid)
COMPUTER CODING. 6pm. Hour of Code. For ages 10-12. Learn how to code with Python 3 with the Westfield Athenaeum (Virtual)
PreK MUSIC. 7pm. Ukulele Strum Along with Leverett Library (Virtual)
GARDENING. 7pm. Worm Composting: Learn how to compost indoors year-round with Red Wiggler worms with Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust. (Virtual)
ART STUDIES. 7-8:30pm. Go, van Gogh! A Virtual Art Tour with Mike Norris. (Virtual)
TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2021
ORNITHOLOGY. 8-10am. Birding at The Mount with Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (Lenox, MA)
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
PLAYGROUPS. Northern Berkshire Cty Family Center Activities
NATURE-BASED PreK. 9am. Nature Sprouts at Bement. Connecting with nature through stories & hands-on activities (Deerfield, MA)
PLAYGROUP. 10am. Playgroup with Hatfield Library. (Email for Zoom link) kids.hatfieldlibrary@gmail.com (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org (Virtual)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
FARMERS’ MARKET. 1:30-6:30pm. Northampton Tuesday Market is a vibrant downtown market with the best in local fruits and vegetables, local prepared foods, and the occasional local craft. Entertainment most weeks. (Northampton, MA)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
PLAYGROUP. 3pm. At the Westhampton Library field. (Westhampton, MA
PreK MUSIC. 4:30pm. Musical Storytime with Pelham Library (Virtual)
WORLD CULTURE. 7pm. Tour of Shanghai China (Virtual)
PARENTING WORKSHOP. 7:30pm. Stress Relief and Support with It Takes a Village (Virtual)
CULINARY ARTS. 6-7:30pm. Tuesday Night Supper Club with Johnny Bossuot. For lifelong learners looking to sustain healthy dietary changes or simply want to have community and support around eating healthy. (Virtual)
CULINARY ARTS. 6:30-8pm. Cookbook Club with Emily Williston Memorial Library. Featured cookbook: Tu Casa Mi Casa: Mexican Recipes for the Home Cook. (Virtual)
ECOLOGY. 7-8:30pm. The Nature of Spring with Mass Audubon (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
CULINARY ARTS
How To Improvise In The Kitchen — With Tips From Samin Nosrat And Hrishikesh Hirway
Self-Directed Learning:
MEXICAN CUISINE
Tues., May 11 @ 6:30-8pm. Tu Casa Mi Casa: Mexican Recipes for the Home Cook. (Virtual)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021
ORNITHOLOGY. 7-8:30am. Birding at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (Lenox, MA)
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
PLAYGROUPS. Northern Berkshire Cty Family Center Activities
PLAYGROUP. 9:30-11:30am. Preschool Play Program in Great Barrington
ENTOMOLOGY. 10am-12pm. “Bees in the Hive” at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment for ages 5-8. (Amherst, MA)
PLAYGROUP. 10:30am. At the Conant Park Playground Pavilion. (Southampton, MA)
PreK MUSIC. 10:30am. Family Jam (Virtual)
FAMILY CONCERT. 11am. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a special concert from Little Roots at Edwards Public Library in the pavilion. (Southampton, MA)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA
PreK LITERACY. 4pm. Cushman Library Story Hour with the Cushman Library (Virtual)
ART STUDIES. 4pm. Artful Observations with the National Museum of African American History & Culture. (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 7pm. Tour of Bratislava, Slovakia (Virtual)
ASTRONOMY. 7pm. Event Horizon Telescope: Cosmic Unknown & Global Collaboration with Museum of Science, Boston (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
HONEY BEES
Thurs., May 12 @ 10am-12pm. “Bees in the Hive” at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment for ages 5-8. (Amherst, MA)
Self-Directed Learning:
CULTURAL TRADITIONS
Along the scenic Lijiang River in China, Oone family been keeping up a centuries-old tradition of fishing with cormorant birds.
THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
PLAYGROUPS. Northern Berkshire Cty Family Center Activities
PreK DEVELOPMENT. 9:30am. Grow Play & Learn Weekly Group with Hubbard Memorial Library (Virtual)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
PreK MUSIC. 11am. Music Classes for Families with Young Children with Northampton Parents Center (Virtual)
ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum (Westfield, MA)
ORNITHOLOGY. 12pm. New England’s Best Birding Month with Chris Bosak (Virtual)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
CULINARY ARTS. 3:30pm. Learn how to make dessert in a mug with the Emily Williston Memorial Library. (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 5:30pm. Community Night with Cellist Nathaniel Taylor (Virtual)
FIBER ARTS. 6pm. Sit & Stitch with Timna Tarr with the Gaylord Memorial Library (Virtual)
CULINARY ARTS. 6-8pm. A Taste of Thailand. Explore ingredients and simple techniques of Thai cooking. (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 6:30pm. Guided Tour of Prague, Czech Republic (Virtual)
ORNITHOLOGY. 10pm. Nature Matters: Understanding Bird Songs (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
ORNITHOLOGY
Thurs., May 13 @ 10pm. Nature Matters: Understanding Bird Songs (Virtual)
FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2021
PreK LITERACY. Explore the Willis Woods trail and read MJ LaCroix’s Nowey Discovers at Skyfields Arboretum through June 1. (Athol, MA)
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
PLAYGROUPS. Northern Berkshire Cty Family Center Activities
PreK LITERACY. 10am. Virtual Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org
PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Storytime with the Lenox Library (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Family Story Time with the Emily Williston Memorial Library. (Virtual
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
CULINARY ARTS. 5-7pm. Seafood Basics. Learn to prepare three fresh seafood dishes, along with a range of universally useful cooking techniques. (Virtual)
WORLD CULTURE. 7pm. Guided Tour Of Mongolia (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
ZOOLOGY
Self-Directed Learning:
MATH HISTORY
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, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont/Hawley, Chester, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Colrain, Dalton, Deerfield, Easthampton, Gill, Goshen, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Heath, Holyoke, Huntington, Huntington, Leyden, Montgomery, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Northfield, Palmer, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Springfield, Tolland, Tyringham, Windsor, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
