Weekly Suggested Events for June 11-17, 2022

Home > Suggested Events > Weekly Suggested Events for June 11-17, 2022
In mid-June, school is out, summer camps have begun, library reading programs are starting, and summer events are popping up across the region! Select outings from our list of community-based educational events to help you connect with your community through your interests!

Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? 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 fun 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!

COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Botany: Rose Garden at Childs Park. 71 N Elm St, Northampton, MA.

Music Studies: Summer Concerts at Energy Park. 50 Miles St, Greenfield, MA.

Culinary Arts: River Valley Co-op. 413-529-4990. 228 Northampton St., Easthampton, MA.

Sports: SteepleCats Baseball. Joe Wolfe Field. 310 State Street. North Adams, MA.

Equine: Blue Rider Stables. 413-528-5299. 15 Farm Ln, Great Barrington, MA.

Hilltown Families’ annual Summer Directory is the region’s go-to online resource for families looking for summer camps, programs, and opportunities in western Massachusetts and neighboring areas! ♦ New listings are added each week, so check back often and be sure to subscribe to our weekly eNewsletter!

Hilltown Mobile Market is back for a 4th season! This year, they are operating an online store of products from 20 Hilltown farmers & producers where you can shop weekly for freshly harvested produce, meat, dairy, eggs & pantry items. Ordering will be packed & delivered to 18 pickup locations throughout the Hilltowns with convenient hours. They are also offering choice-based Farm Shares where you can spend down your balance throughout the season whenever & however it works for you! Share options range from $150 – $500, with a fully reimbursable option for those with SNAP/HIP. The Market will also be offering door delivery for residents at Westhampton Woods, Hamblin Court, Highland Village Circle, Hillside Terrance, Nash Hill, & The Maples.

FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM: Yoga Monkey Kids & Play Practice: Exploring Yoga & Theater
Now through June 15, mention “Hilltown Families” and receive $25 off each program.

Yoga Sanctuary has two week-long programs for kids this summer! Yoga Monkey Kids (ages 6–10) weaves yoga and creative movement, mythic storytelling, creative crafts, and games into one fun and enchanting week! Play Practice: Exploring Yoga & Theater (ages 10–13) includes yoga techniques, theater games, and creative exercises designed to unleash each student’s unique expression, as well as foster dynamic group creation. Plus, all the summer fun of daily outdoors time and a special day spent walking and swimming in our beautiful local nature! Both programs include a special sharing for parents on the final day. Yoga Monkey Kids: June 25–29, 9–2 pm. Play Practice: August 1–5, 9–2 pm. www.yoga-sanctuary.com/kids-summer-programsstudio@yoga-sanctuary.com
➡️ Now through June 15, mention “Hilltown Families” and receive $25 off each program.

FEATURED EVENT
Power of Truths
Florence, MA

Barrington Stage Company KidsAct! & TeensAct!
Arts & Education Conference
June 10-11, 2022

Come to the Power of Truths Conference on June 10-11, 2022, at Bombyx (130 Pine St, Florence, MA) and explore how arts and education can powerfully move us towards a world with racial justice. Friday night will feature: Marcia Gomes and her band of award-winning musicians June Millington, Eugene Uman, Denny Pelletier, and Fumi Tomia; Lox & Keyes Theory, a multi-genre band from Hartford; and Boston Hip-hop legend and UMass-Boston professor Akrobatik. Saturday will be a day-long conference with numerous workshops for people committed to arts, education, and justice. The event will conclude with a keynote speech from Bayeté Ross Smith, the Artist in Residence at Columbia Law School. For more information & to register, visit www.poweroftruths.org.

FEATURED CO-OP EVENT
River Valley Co-op’s

Strawberry Ice Cream Social
Easthampton, MA

Summer at The Academy at Charlemont
Thursday, June 23 from 5-8pm.

River Valley Co-op’s popular Strawberry Ice Cream Social is back! Held outdoors at their Easthampton location (228 Northampton St., Easthampton, MA) on Thursday, June 23, from 5-8pm, this family-friendly event will have live music, kids activities, and food for sale prepared by co-op chefs. Enjoy burgers, corn on the cob, potato salad, drinks, and of course, local ice cream served with local organic strawberries! There will be vegetarian and gluten-free options as well. All proceeds from this event will benefit three local nonprofits: Nolumbeka Project, The International Language Institute, and Riquezas Del Campo. Everyone in the community is welcome to stop by and celebrate the official start of summer in the Pioneer Valley! More info: rivervalley.coop.

FEATURED MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Green River Festival

Greenfield, MA

Summer at The Academy at Charlemont
June 24-26: Kids 10 and under are always free!

Green River Festival, Western Massachusetts’ most family-friendly music festival, happens at The Franklin County Fairgrounds on June 24-26, 2022, in Greenfield, MA. Kids 10 and under are always free! In addition to an incredible lineup of music for adults featuring Father John Misty, Lake Street Dive, Guster, Galactic, and Waxahatchee, Green River Festival is packed with activities for children and families. Enjoy crafts and music at the Arts Garden tent and stage and explore Delilah, a life-size inflatable whale. Enjoy Flying High Frisbee Dogs, MuZen puppets, a Team BMX bike show, a games tent, and the not to be missed yearly Mardi Gras Parade. For a full lineup of family music and activities, visit www.greenriverfestival.com.

FEATURED SUMMER CAMP
At Home in the Woods
Conway, MA

Summer at The Academy at Charlemont
Outdoors.

Close your eyes & imagine this: your kids are outside this summer…playing games, building shelters, tracking wildlife, learning & practicing firemaking skills, carving, discovering, foraging for wild edibles, experiencing, mentoring & so much more! An old-fashioned childhood summer in 2022! At Home in the Woods Camps are Mon-Fri, 9 am-3 pm (except during the week of 7/4). There are 4 weeks for ages 5-6; all summer for ages 7+. Contact for information on additional Camps specifically for teens. Some weeks fill quickly so register now. For $50 off, use this code: HTFAM.

Dates: June 20-August 26, 2022
Age Range: 5-17yo
Contact: 413-340-1161
frank@earthworkprograms.com
♦ earthworkprograms.com

FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Community Music School of Springfield
Music Lessons

Springfield, MA

Community Music School of Springfield Music Lessons
Indoors. Virtual.

Come make music with the Community Music School of Springfield this summer! CMSS offers high-quality music instruction for students of all ages and levels, and their summer session features flexible scheduling and a choice of online or in-person learning. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned musician, CMSS takes the time to match you with a teacher who will connect with you while helping you accomplish your personal musical goals. Offering instruction in over 30 instruments and voice, their registration team can help you decide whether to rent or purchase your instrument. Getting started is easy – your summer music lesson is just a click or phone call away! Dates: June 27-August 19, 2022. Age Range: 4yo+. Contact: 413-732-8428; info@communitymusicschool.com; communitymusicschool.com.

FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
The Drama Studio
Springfield, MA

Drama Studio Summer Programs
Indoors.

The Drama Studio is a unique community where young people grow as artists, leaders, and individuals. This summer, The Drama Studio will be offering a variety of onsite acting and theater programs in a safe environment. These programs include: Stories on Stage, where students will prepare an entire production of “Story Theatre”; and Improv for younger audiences, including a literacy video. In TeenScene: SummerFest teens will present a fully produced festival of “One Acts.” Other programs include Acting Up: Summer Fun Stories, SummerSlam: Improv Week, and Island Improv, Scenes and Myths. No prior acting experience is required. Summer enrollment is now open! Space is limited. Dates: July 5-August 19, 2022; Age Range: 6-18yo; Contact: 413-739-1983; info@dramastudio.orgwww.dramastudio.org.

FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Dan Kane Singing Program
at The Majestic Theater
West Springfield, MA

Early American Summer Days at Storrowton Village Museum
Indoors.

The Majestic Theater at 131 Elm St in West Springfield is the home of the Dan Kane Summer Singing Enrichment Camp! The theater is gorgeous! It’s a professional theater with a vast audience base, giving students a chance to perform in a professional venue on a professional stage. There will be one Monday-Friday session for the week of Aug 22-26, with 50 openings for children who love to sing. The week will culminate with two concerts, showcasing the talented students & what they learned! Openings are limited as it is always a sell-out, so call the theater as early as possible for details. The cost is $295/student, due with submission of application which prospective families can get from the theater. Dates: August 22-26, 2022. Age Range: 6-16yo. Contact: 413-747-7797; dan@dankanesingers.orgmajestictheater.com.

FEATURED DAYCARE/PRESCHOOL
Valley Play School
Shelburne Falls, MA

Indoor Program

Valley Play School is located in the heart of Shelburne Falls. It is a branch of the Girls Club of Greenfield and offers a variety of full and part time options for parents as well as a variety of subsidies. It operates year round, Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm, with breakfast and snack served daily. Two classrooms serve children 8 months to 6 years. VPS’s methods emphasize low teacher/student ratios and a healthy, enriching environment where children learn through their play and process has more importance than product. Children learn by doing in a supportive, nurturing environment that promotes pro-social behaviors. It provides diverse opportunities for quality interactions, connections and school readiness. Daycare. Preschool. ♦ Ages 8mo-6yrs. For more information: ahawk@girlsclubofgreenfield.org; 413-625-2406; www.girlsclubofgreenfield.org.

See Your Ad Here

Partner with HIlltown Families!

Partner with Hilltown Families in your online advertising! Delivering your message each week to over 35,000 subscribers, web visitors, and social media followers each week, Hilltown Families can bring your message to thousands of families in Western Massachusetts. Serving the region since 2005, Hilltown Families is an award-winning, online communication network, recognized as a leading family strengthening initiative in the region, promoting “positive parenting through the social norm of community social connectedness.” A trusted partner in your online marketing! To find out how we can partner together in your online marketing and outreach, contact us for info on our affordable options and packages: swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org. Have an event, resource, or opportunity you’re ready to promote? Click HERE to submit your information.

2022 Class Directory

Class Directory

Discover virtual & adapted programming in our Class Directory for Western MA

2022 Preschool & Daycare Directory

Preschool Directory

Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA

List of Weekly Suggested Events

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022

FAMILY RADIO: 9-10am. Hilltown Family Variety Show. WXOJ 103.3FM Northampton, MA. (Radio)

FEATURED EVENT
Power of Truths
Florence, MA

Barrington Stage Company KidsAct! & TeensAct!
Arts & Education Conference
June 10-11, 2022

Come to the Power of Truths Conference on June 10-11, 2022, at Bombyx (130 Pine St, Florence, MA) and explore how arts and education can powerfully move us towards a world with racial justice. Friday night will feature: Marcia Gomes and her band of award-winning musicians June Millington, Eugene Uman, Denny Pelletier, and Fumi Tomia; Lox & Keyes Theory, a multi-genre band from Hartford; and Boston Hip-hop legend and UMass-Boston professor Akrobatik. Saturday will be a day-long conference with numerous workshops for people committed to arts, education, and justice. The event will conclude with a keynote speech from Bayeté Ross Smith, the Artist in Residence at Columbia Law School. For more information & to register, visit www.poweroftruths.org.

ORNITHOLOGY/ BIRD SONGS. 8-10am. Spring Birding Series –  Participants will dive into the world of birdsong, from woodpeckers to warblers. Spring birdsong is a symphony worth hearing and an insight into the world of our feathered friends. Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is an excellent spot for learning bird songs in forests, fields, and wetlands. Bring binoculars if you’d like, but your ears are the only requirement. Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-637-0320. 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA. 

LOCAL HISTORY. 9:30-11am. A Walking Tour of Bridge Street Cemetery – Get to know the historical neighbors of Northampton in a walking tour of Bridge Street Cemetery. Participants will “meet” some Northampton residents, including Revolutionary War patriot Joseph Hawley, Samuel Bartlett of witchcraft accusation fame, Indigenous spinner and weaver Sally Maminash, Sylvia Church, a woman who was enslaved in Northampton, and a family who were all killed in the Mill River Flood. Along the way, examine changing artisanry and symbolism of gravestone design. Historic Northampton. 413-584-6011. 46 Bridge Street. Northampton, MA. 

WOMEN’S HISTORY/ LIVING HISTORY. 9:30am-5pm. Women’s History Weekend – How did early 19th-century women see themselves? How did society view the woman’s sphere? How do we view their lives today? Join Old Sturbridge Village as they acknowledge and celebrate extraordinary and everyday women in the early 19th century. Stop outside the historic houses of OSV to learn about how women ran their households, managing the essential work of clothes construction, cooking, laundry, and more. Join interpreters in the gardens for talks on Indigenous plants, medicine, and discussions on the roles of women and children in gardening. Beyond the domestic sphere, explore issues surrounding gender, freedom, and rights occurring during the 1830s through readings of first-person accounts of the 19th century. Old Sturbridge Village. 800-733-1830. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA. 

SOIL SCIENCE/ GARDENING. 10-11:30am. Soil Testing with Western Massachusetts Master Gardeners Association (WMMGA) – WMMGA tests residents’ lawn and garden soil and answers gardening questions at the Gaylord Memorial Library this weekend. Bring your questions and learn about biology, ecology, and science through the lens of soil. 413-538-5047. 47 College Street. South Hadley, MA. 

LANDSCAPING/GARDEN TOUR. 10am-3pm. Northampton Garden Tour – Home gardens seem to have become popular in the 13th and 14th centuries in Europe. What started as a trend among wealthy landowners spread to the working classes in Elizabethan England. Some theories for how and why gardens became so popular revolve around the Black Plague, which drastically increased the availability of land. If you are passionate about gardening, you won’t want to miss the Annual Northampton Garden Tour! Check out some of Northampton’s most impressive gardens, learn new gardening techniques, and support the Forbes Library while you’re at it. Get your tour tickets from the Friends of the Forbes Library. 20 West St, Northampton, MA. 

LIVING HISTORY/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-3pm. Summer Sampler at Storrowton Village Museum – Enjoy hands-on workshops, watch trade demonstrations, and talk with costumed guides throughout the museum. The family-friendly day will feature hands-on activities that give a sampling of all the fun the Village offers year-round. Additional demonstrations include blacksmithing in the Clark Blacksmith Shop and open-hearth cooking in the Gilbert Farmhouse. Storrowton Village Museum. 413-205-5051. 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. 

LITERACY/ BOOK SALE. 10am-6pm. Children’s Book Sale – Choose books from Roundabout Book’s entire inventory of thousands of children’s and young adult books, nearly all in excellent condition. All books are $1. Stock up for the summer and the school year! Roundabout Books. 413-773-0820. 26 Kenwood St, Greenfield, MA. 

LOCAL FOOD/AGRICULTURE. 10:30am-3pm. Holyoke Farmers’ Market. 164 Race St, Holyoke, MA.

STORYTELLING/ PERFORMANCE. 11am. Music @ The Taft Presents Live on the Lawn with Mary Jo Maichack – The Alligator Stomp and more summery tales and tunes for June. Join lively and fun singer-storyteller Mary Jo Maichack in this fun romp of tales, tunes, and dance celebrating sum-sum-summertime. Learn to tell a tale on your fingers, a really funny family ghost story for your summer campfires, dance like alligators —in French, ooh la la! Berkshire Music School. 413-442-1411. 30 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA. 

LOCAL HISTORY/ UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 11am. Underground Railroad Tour – Learn about the history of Springfield’s unsung early residents. Hosted by Springfield Preservation Trust, starting at the Springfield Museums. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA. 

STEM/ CODING. 11am. STEAMCraft: Coding with Screens – Children ages 3-10 can learn about the basics of coding using games and bots. Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA. 

LITERACY. 11am-4pm. Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Event at the Tilton Library – Activities include painting, bubbles, lawn games, and popsicles. Tilton Library. 413-665-4683. 75 North Main Street. South Deerfield, MA. 

ART STUDIES/ PHOTOGRAPHY. 11am-4pm. Cyanotype 101 Workshop – The cyanotype (Prussian-blue image on a white background), also known as ferro-prussiate or blue print process, or simply sun prints, was invented and named by Sir John Herschel in 1842. It’s one of the oldest photographic processes. It was popularized by Anna Atkins, one of a handful of women working in photography in the mid-1800s. Lifelong learners are invited to learn more and to make dry cyanotypes from found plant material and digital negatives with Blazing Star Herbal School in Conway, MA. 

LOCAL HISTORY/ ARCHITECTURE. 12pm. Berkshire Cottages – Learn about the many vacation homes (cottages) that were built in the Gilded Age in the Berkshires. Carole Owens will share slides and tell stories about this fascinating era and the building boom that took place in the Berkshires. Milne Public Library. 413-458-5369. 1095 Main Street. Williamstown, MA. 

DANCE STUDIES/ COMMUNITY DAY. 12-3pm. Community Day at Jacob’s Pillow – Everyone is invited to this pre-Festival, family-friendly afternoon featuring performances by Berkshire County regional dance artists, movement classes, dance-themed children’s activities, tours, and a special performance by Cuban flamenco dancer/choreographer Irene Rodríguez. A highlight will be the public’s first look at the newly-expanded backstage of the Ted Shawn Theatre. Jacob’s Pillow. 413-243-9919. 358 George Carter Road. Becket, MA. 

EDUCATION HISTORY. 1pm. Outhouses, Woodstoves, and Sledding to School: Recollections of One Room Schoolhouse Scholars in Leverett – Join the Leverett Education Foundation and the Historical Commission to celebrate education in Leverett. Scholars and student interviewers will talk about their experiences. Leverett Library. 413-548-9220. 75 Montague Rd, Leverett, MA. 

ART STUDIES/ CREATIVE FREE-PLAY. 1:30pm. Play with Art Saturdays at the Great Barrington Libraries. 413-528-2403. 231 Main St. Great Barrington, MA. 

STEM/ MAGNETISM. 2pm. Magnetic Magic Workshop – Children learn how and why magnets behave by testing magnetism’s basic physical principles. Participants will learn how to create magnets and how magnetism is lost. They will use compasses to understand better how humans benefit from the Earth’s magnetic force. Hands-on experimenting-from swinging compasses to motorized devices- allows children to explore the role of magnetism in our everyday lives.Tilton Library. 413-665-4683. 75 North Main Street. South Deerfield, MA. 

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Self-Directed Learning: Summer Camping

The long days and warm nights of summer provide the perfect conditions for family camping, a tradition that serves as one of childhood’s most classic summer adventures. Camping trips allow children to learn how to live outside of their homes and provide them with the opportunity to engage in experiential learning about their surroundings during all hours of the day (and perhaps the night, too). From afternoon playtime in the woods to an evening of fireflies and campfires to the misty early morning hours that bring endless bird songs, camping trips offer constant exposure to the world’s sights, sounds, and smells. As a bonus, children who connect with their surroundings are more likely to practice environmentally friendly and conservation-minded behaviors as adults. Read more in our post, “Summer Camping Adventures Promote Nature-Based Play and Learning.”

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SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2022

FAMILY RADIO: 7-8am. Hilltown Family Variety Show. WXOJ 103.3FM Northampton, MA. (Radio)

 

ROLLER SKATING. 10am-2pm. Outdoor Roller Skating – Learn to roller skate at 11am, or come at 10am and learn roller dance routines. Open skate is from 12-2pm. Outside at Amelia Park Arena. 413-568-2503. 21 South Broad St. Westfield, MA. 

ENTOMOLOGY/ BUTTERFLIES. 10am-4:30pm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory – An 8000 square-foot tropical conservatory with nearly 4000 free-flying tropical and native butterflies from all over the world. Learn about butterflies along with exotic reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects! Ask about their guided tours. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 413-665-2805. 281 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA.

WOMEN’S HISTORY/ LIVING HISTORY. 9:30am-5pm. Women’s History Weekend – How did early 19th-century women see themselves? How did society view the woman’s sphere? How do we view their lives today? Join Old Sturbridge Village as they acknowledge and celebrate extraordinary and everyday women in the early 19th century. Stop outside the historic houses of OSV to learn about how women ran their households, managing the essential work of clothes construction, cooking, laundry, and more. Join interpreters in the gardens for talks on Indigenous plants, medicine, and discussions on the roles of women and children in gardening. Beyond the domestic sphere, explore issues surrounding gender, freedom, and rights occurring during the 1830s through readings of first-person accounts of the 19th century. Old Sturbridge Village. 800-733-1830. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA. 

ECOLOGY/ HIKING. 10am-12pm. Boreal Spruce-Fir Forest Flower, Plant, Tree & Wild Edibles Hike at Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center. aimee@gaiaroots.com. 1515 Savoy Hollow Rd, Windsor, MA. 

LITERACY/ BOOK SALE. 10am-6pm. Children’s Book Sale – Choose books from Roundabout Book’s entire inventory of thousands of children’s and young adult books, nearly all in excellent condition. All books are $1. Stock up for the summer and the school year! Roundabout Books. 413-773-0820. 26 Kenwood St, Greenfield, MA. 

MUSIC STUDIES/ TRIBUTE. 12pm. David Grover: A Celebration of Life – Musicians, friends, and family will come together to celebrate the life and career of David Grover, a beloved member of our community who performed for over 50 years. Family and friends will gather and offer music and songs to honor his contributions to the community. Approximately 25 local and national musicians who shared the stage with him will perform songs written or inspired by David, and family members, former students, and friends will pay tribute. Berkshire Theatre Group. 111 South St, Pittsfield, MA. 

ECOLOGY/ HIKING. 1-3pm. Boreal Spruce-Fir Forest Flower, Plant, Tree & Wild Edibles Hike with Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center at Notchview. 413-684-0148. 83 Old Route 9, Windsor, MA. 

MUSIC & DANCE STUDIES/ CELTIC. 1-6pm. Celtic Music Festival – The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England features traditional and popular Irish music along with Irish dancing at Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub. 429 Morgan Rd., West Springfield, MA. 

LITERACY/ STORYWALK. 3pm. Otis Library Storywalk – A walk on the Farmington River Trail reading the book “Everything Will Be Okay” by Anna Dewdney, illustrated by Judy Schachner, with Mindfulness Meditation, song, and movement. Each child will be encouraged to take home a “gently used” book. Held in the back of St. Mary’s of the Lake, 48 N. Main Street. Otis, MA. 

PASTRY ARTS. 4pm. Kids Get Cooking: Power-Up Brownies – Learn valuable kitchen and baking skills with this hands-on event featuring Power-Up Brownies. Tasty brownies with a nutrition twist! Register in advance for a copy of the grocery list and instructions to cook along. Hosted by Big Y World Class Market. (Virtual) 

FIBER ARTS/ NEEDLEWORK. 4-5:30pm. Yarnspinners & Junior Yarnspinners – Needleworkers knit, crochet, and chat. Children interested in needlework are encouraged to attend this monthly program for experience, instruction, and inspiration. For needleworkers of all ages. Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA. 

MUSIC STUDIES/ LAWN CONCERT. 7pm. Ranky Tanky: Gullah Music of the Carolina Coast – South Carolina’s GRAMMY® Award-Winning band, Ranky Tanky, is on a mission to revive and celebrate Gullah music and culture, which originated among descendants of West African slaves in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. This is an outdoor show in the Bombyx Backyard. BYO lawn chairs and blankets. Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity. 130 Pine St. Florence, MA.

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Self-Directed Learning: Bioblitz/Biodiversity

Want to host your very own bioblitz? Resources for blitz-planning are available on the National Geographic website – the organization has provided everything from instructions for early planning to a suggested materials list! A bioblitz can offer self-directed learners a unique hands-on learning experience that will make them aware of the amount of biodiversity in their neighborhood and will teach them to identify new species. Communities will benefit from these events as well – neighbors can gain a greater awareness of what’s in their backyards, and perhaps even become better connected to the natural world that surrounds them! 

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Self-Directed Learning: Entomology/Beetles

Mass Audubon invites families to go on a beetle scavenger hunt! “There are at least 107 known species of beetles in Massachusetts, 30,000 in the United States, and 350,000 around the world. How many beetles can you find? While on the hunt, don’t forget to watch how they defend themselves, listen to the sounds they make, and observe how they communicate with each other.” Use their free downloadable activity page, It’s Beetlemania!, to guide you!

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley

PLAYGROUP. Northampton Parents Center 

PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County 

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County 

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County

BOTANY. 9am-4pm. There is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.

ENTOMOLOGY/ BUTTERFLIES. 10am-4:30pm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory – An 8000 square-foot tropical conservatory with nearly 4000 free-flying tropical and native butterflies from all over the world. Learn about butterflies along with exotic reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects! Ask about their guided tours. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 413-665-2805. 281 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA.

PLAYGROUP. 10:30-11:30am. For ages 0-5 at the Edwards Public Library. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 30 East Street, Southampton, MA.

LITERACY/ SUMMER READING. 11:30am-2:30pm. Summer Reading Kick-Off Party at the Monson Free Library and Reading Room Association. Monson Library. 413-267-3866. 2 High Street, Monson, MA. 

STE(A)M/ PreK. 1pm. Pre-School STEAM Program. Learn how to inspire your kids to engineer, create, design, explore, and build at home. Becket Athenaeum. 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA. 

ART STUDIES/ CERAMICS. 2-4pm. Hand-Building Hands: Workshop Series – Join The Clark for a ceramics workshop series exploring the expressive qualities of hands in Rodin’s sculptures and drawings. Participants will explore the exhibition Rodin in the United States: Confronting the Modern, sketch, discuss how hands convey emotion, discover techniques and vocabulary of ceramics, and create meaningful personal sculptures from clay. Each participant will leave the workshop series with a hand-built glazed hand and a new understanding of Rodin and his work. Clark Art Institute. 413-458-2303. 225 South St., Williamstown, MA. 

PLAYGROUP. 3:30-4:30pm. For ages 0-5 at the Westhampton Public Library. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.

ART STUDIES/ PASTELS. 5pm. Pastel Painting – Gregory John Maichack will present “Jellyfish,” a new pastel painting workshop. This is a workshop designed for beginners to advanced participants. There are so many jellyfish in this new, highly researched two-hour workshop with varied anatomies, complexities, and colors…what workshop can offer more creative possibilities? West Springfield Public Library. 413-736-4561. 200 Park St, West Springfield, MA. 

MUSIC HISTORY. 6pm. The Highwaymen: Songs and Stories – Longtime New England singer/songwriter Matt York will perform the songs of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings and tell stories of their careers. The four songwriting legends joined forces in the 1980s to form the country supergroup, The Highwaymen. However, they’d each established themselves as stars before that, and their careers have often intersected since the 1960s. Emily Williston Memorial Library. 413-527-1031. 9 Park Street. Easthampton, MA. 

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Self-Directed Learning: Light Pollution/Citizen Science

The night sky is a community-based educational resource available to everyone by simply stepping outside your home. Become a citizen scientist by gathering data on your observations of the celestial bodies above and participating in the project, Loss of the Night. Created by German researchers, Loss of the Night is designed to collect information about the amount of sky glow (also known as light pollution) present in populated areas all over the globe. An additional goal of the project is to help users learn more about the stars that they see above them and the seasonal changes in the sky. Read more about this citizen science opportunity in our post, Citizen Scientists Wanted to Map the Stars. Participation with support learning about light pollution’s impacts on our native species while supporting interests in astronomy and the scientific process.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley

PLAYGROUP. Northampton Parents Center  

PLAYGROUPSSouth Berkshire County. 

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County.

BOTANY. 9am-4pm. There is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.

PLAYGROUP. 10-11am. For ages 0-5 at St. Philip’s Church Parish Hall. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 126 Main St., Easthampton, MA.

MINDFULNESS/ FOREST BATHING. 10am-12:30pm. Forest Bathing Walk – On this Forest Bathing Walk, participants will engage their senses through guided meditation and a series of mindful, creative, and unique invitations to assist with connecting deeply with nature. Mount Greylock Visitor Center. 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA. 

ENTOMOLOGY/ BUTTERFLIES. 10am-4:30pm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory – An 8000 square-foot tropical conservatory with nearly 4000 free-flying tropical and native butterflies from all over the world. Learn about butterflies along with exotic reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects! Ask about their guided tours. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 413-665-2805. 281 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA.

WATER PLAY. 10am-6pm. Water spray park at Look Park! Cool off in their 5000+ square foot Spray Park complete with ground jets, bucket dumps, water umbrellas, and more. Changing areas and lockers are available. Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA.

NEW PARENT GROUP. 10:30am & 1pm. Beyond Birth groups meet weekly. New babies birth-6mos are at 1pm and older babies 6mos-1 yr are at 10:30am. Amherst, MA. 

MAPPING SKILLS/ OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. 1-2:30pm. Geocaching 101 – Looking for a fun way to engage your tech-savvy kids with the natural world? This outdoor activity combines hiking with a tech-aided treasure hunt. Mount Greylock Visitor Center. 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA. 

PLAYGROUP. 3:30-4:30pm. For ages 0-5 at Goshen Town Hall. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 42 Main St., Goshen, MA.

STORYTIME. 4:15pm. True Tales! Stories about real people & events for 5-8 year olds at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St. Ludlow, MA.

COMEDY. 6pm. LaughCrafters in the Library – Laugh out loud in the library! Unleash your talent and imagination with the Phantom Sheep Players, as they lead fun and hilarious theater games that teach YOU how to create comedy yourself on the spot! West Springfield Public Library. 413-736-4561. 200 Park St, West Springfield, MA. 

LOCAL HISTORY. 6-8pm. A Local Lens: Histories of Easthampton and Beyond – Easthampton High School AP US History students will present their local history projects on a variety of topics, including the history of the Cambodian community in Easthampton, challenges and change at Mountain Park, and Easthampton’s water and aquifer … to name a few! Join them to hear about their research and learn more about Easthampton! Easthampton High School Auditorium. Easthampton, MA.

HERPETOLOGY/ PHENOLOGY. 6:30pm. Amphibian Migration – Crawling or hopping from their winter burrows, early spring migrating frogs and salamanders often arrive when their woodland pool habitats are still covered by snow and ice. The forests and ponds are filled with the nightly springtime chorus of frogs and amazing congresses of salamanders by mid-spring. As spring warms up, less cold-tolerant amphibians will also migrate. Hosted by the Montague Public Libraries. (Virtual) 

MUSIC STUDIES/ LAWN CONCERT. 6:30pm. Windsor Lake Concert Series at Windsor Lake in North Adams, MA.

HEALTH & WELLNESS/ HERBS. 7pm. Seasonal Allergies & Herbal Preparations – Do seasonal allergies have you feeling bogged down and tired? Herbs can be one of our greatest allies when pollen counts are at their highest. Join Hannah Jacobson-Hardy, Community Herbalist and founder of Sweet Birch Herbals, for a fun and informative class about herbal preparations that may improve seasonal allergies! Hosted by River Valley Co-op. (Virtual) 

BOTANY/ HERBS & SPICES. 7:30pm. Herbs, the Spice of Life – Herbs add nutrition, flavor, and variety to your meals. Learn tips on growing your herbs in containers, in a garden, and even indoors! Hosted by Big Y World Class Market. (Virtual) 

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Self-Directed Learning: Telling Time/Sundials

A community-based educational resource available to everyone is the sun! We sometimes check the sky to keep time using the sun to see its position, but this method isn’t very accurate. On the other hand, shadows can give a more precise reading of the time, but only if the correct tools are used! Families can create their own sundials using simple materials around the house, allowing shadows to become their new clock. Beginning at noon on a sunny day, this project requires monitoring on the hour, every hour during the daylight portion of a 24-hour-period. The results are a nature-based time-telling device that can spark explorations of geometry, time structure, and ancient history. Making your sundial can also support the scientific understanding of the earth’s relationship with the sun and the development and practice of language skills when done with young children.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2022

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley

PLAYGROUP. Northampton Parents Center  

PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County 

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County 

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County 

BOTANY. 9am-4pm. There is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.

PLAYGROUP. 10-11am. For ages 0-5 at St. Philip’s Church Parish Hall. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 126 Main St., Easthampton, MA.

ENTOMOLOGY/ BUTTERFLIES. 10am-4:30pm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory – An 8000 square-foot tropical conservatory with nearly 4000 free-flying tropical and native butterflies from all over the world. Learn about butterflies along with exotic reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects! Ask about their guided tours. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 413-665-2805. 281 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA. 

WATER PLAY. 10am-6pm. Water spray park at Look Park! Cool off in their 5000+ square foot Spray Park complete with ground jets, bucket dumps, water umbrellas, and more. Changing areas and lockers are available. Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA.

NEW PARENT GROUP. 10:30am & 1pm. Beyond Birth groups meet weekly in both Northampton (Thurs) and Amherst (Wed)! New babies birth-6 mos are at 1pm and older babies 6 mos to 1 year are at 10:30am. Northampton & Amherst, MA.  

ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum. 413-572-4014. 29 S Broad St, Westfield, MA.

FOLK TOYS/ PLAY. 5pm. Kendama Club with the Pioneer Valley Movement Collective at Pulaski Park in Northampton, MA.

GARDENING. 6pm. Environmental Stewardship through Sustainable Gardening – Learn the concept of responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable gardening practices that cause no harm to the Earth and reduce negative environmental impacts by promoting sustainable agriculture. Presenter Casey E. Doyle, M.S., is an Environmental and Food Systems Scientist. She will include information on agricultural trellising, setting up a rain barrel, and more! Westhampton Public Library. 413-527-5386. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.  

ROLLER SKATING. 7-9:30pm. Interskate 91. 413-586-8344. 367 Russell Street, Hampshire Mall, Hadley, MA.

PARENT SUPPORT. 8:30pm. Sometimes just getting through the day deserves a reward. Grab a snack, put on your PJs, and join other tired parents for this night-time group hosted by It Takes A Village. (Virtual)

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Self-Directed Learning: Native Orchids

“Writing professor Kyhl Lyndgaard finds that 19th-century attitudes about ‘Indian removal’ were echoed by a notable shift in the common names of native orchids.” This is the sentence that begins the article, “Taking Off the Moccasin Flower and Putting On the Lady’s Slipper,” published by Potash Hill, the magazine of Marlboro College. Learning about the history and origin of different native plant species names can support a wide variety of subjects, including Native American studies, U.S. history, ethnobotany, poetry, and ecology. In Lyndgaard’s article, these subjects are tied together by weaving a story about Indian Removal through poetry, history, and the renaming of the Moccasin Flower. Read more in our post, Nature-Based Learning: Learning through the Lens of the Wild Orchid.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley 

PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County 

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County 

PLAYGROUPSFamily Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County

BOTANY. 9am-4pm. There is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.

LOCAL HISTORY. 9:30-11am. A Walking Tour of Bridge Street Cemetery – Get to know the historical neighbors of Northampton in a walking tour of Bridge Street Cemetery. Participants will “meet” some Northampton residents, including Revolutionary War patriot Joseph Hawley, Samuel Bartlett of witchcraft accusation fame, Indigenous spinner and weaver Sally Maminash, Sylvia Church, a woman who was enslaved in Northampton, and a family who were all killed in the Mill River Flood. Along the way, examine changing artisanry and symbolism of gravestone design. Historic Northampton. 413-584-6011. 46 Bridge Street. Northampton, MA. 

ENTOMOLOGY/ BUTTERFLIES. 10am-4:30pm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory – An 8000 square-foot tropical conservatory with nearly 4000 free-flying tropical and native butterflies from all over the world. Learn about butterflies along with exotic reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects! Ask about their guided tours. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 413-665-2805. 281 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA.

GRANDPARENTING SUPPORT. 1pm. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Tea Time, every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month, with Community Action’s Family Center. 413-475-1555. 90 Federal Street, Greenfield, MA.

MUSIC STUDIES/ TEENS. 3pm. Intro to Ukulele for Teens. Instruments are provided. No registration is required. Springfield City Library: Forest Park Branch. 413-263-6843. 380 Belmont Ave, Springfield, MA.

MUSIC STUDIES/ LAWN CONCERT. 5:30pm. Music @ The Taft Presents Live on the Lawn with Mukana – Mukana (meaning “opportunity” in the Shona language of Zimbabwe) is an eclectic gathering of world-class musicians hailing from Chile, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Brazil, and the USA. Fusing traditional songs and rhythms with jazz and sublime arrangements, Mukana creates music that compels you to your feet in a joyful celebration of our global community. Berkshire Music School. 413-442-1411. 30 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield

MUSIC STUDIES/ DRUMMING. 6:45pm. The Hilltown Intergenerational Drum Circle – All ages and beginners are welcome to this biweekly drum circle, led by Rosie Fanale. Call to confirm before heading over. Shelburne Senior Center. 413-625-8470. Shelburne Falls, MA.

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Self-Directed Learning: Bridges

The Keystone Arches, part of a railroad bridge over the Westfield River, are not only a beautiful structure but changed the landscape and transportation far beyond Western Massachusetts. Without this bridge, we would not have what is currently the longest and highest railroad in the world, the Western Pacific Railroad. What’s so special about arches? Using our local bridges as a catalyst for learning, get curious about their designs and impacts on local history and development.

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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, Becket, Bernardston, Buckland, Chester, Chicopee, Colrain, Cummington, Easthampton, Goshen, Granby, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Heath, Hinsdale/Peru, Huntington, Leyden, Montgomery, Mount Washington, Northern Berkshire, Orange, Otis, Palmer, Pelham, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Tolland, Tyringham, Westhampton, Windsor, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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