Weekly Suggested Events for July 2-8, 2022

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!
SUGGESTED EVENTS: JULY 2-8, 2022
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
NATURE-BASED LEARNING: Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
ART STUDIES: The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA.
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA.
AGRICULTURE: Northampton Tuesday Farmers’ Market. 413-320-4799. 1 Kirkland Ave, Northampton, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES: Tanglewood. 413-637-5180. 297 West St. Lenox, MA.
WORLD CULTURE STUDIES: Irish Cultural Center of Western New England. 413-333-4951. 429 Morgan Road. West Springfield, MA.
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities


Pioneer Valley Performing Arts (PVPA) Charter Public School in South Hadley is committed to supporting the Artist in every student. Students from over 50 towns in grades 7-12 thrive in an arts-centered, creative, challenging learning environment. PVPA is now accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year. Application deadline is July 22. Lottery will be held Aug 1, for grades 7 & 11 only. Applications will be accepted for grades 7-11. Per state regulations, they will hold onto any applications for students in grades 8-10 until the time that their current waitlist for those grades is exhausted. If/ when that time comes, they will give at least one week’s notice to announce a lottery for the grade w/openings. More info: admissions@pvpa.org.
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 CONFERENCE
2022 Northeast Unschooling Conference
Amherst, MA
Meet your people at the 2022 Northeast Unschooling Conference, July 14-17, 2022 in Amherst, MA! Located on the sprawling grounds of Hampshire College, Northeast Unschooling Conference is excited to welcome unschoolers, eclectic homeschoolers, lifelong learners, and autodidacts from all walks of life! Join them for a weekend filled with workshops for all ages, ranging from tie-dyeing and frog dissections to navigating homeschool reporting, college admissions, and much more. A keynote from Indigenous Filipino researcher Noah Romero on unschooling as radical liberation, panels, discussion groups, hands-on workshops, oh my! On-campus housing and meal plans are provided for all interested!
For more information:
northeastunschoolingconference.com or email neucinfo@gmail.com.
FEATURED EVENT
Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
Florence, MA
Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival is an annual family-friendly celebration on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Look Park in Florence, MA. Events include children’s games, sheep herding, Scottish animals, and a water spray park. The festival also features Celtic music, piping & drumming competitions, Highland & Irish dance demos, Scottish gift & food vendors, 30+ clans, genealogy, and a Celtic Pub. Also, Scottish heavy athletics, where some world record-holders will compete. Appearing on the Main Stage are Albannach, Enter the Haggis, Sarah the Fiddler, and Charlie Zahm. Join the fun from 9am-5pm, w/music in the Celtic Pub until 9:30pm (rain or shine). Admission: Adult $25 (Advance $22); Age 6-12 $5; Under 6 free. More info at www.glasgowlands.org.
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Sun & Roots Outdoor Play and Learn
Westhampton, MA
Sun & Roots Outdoor Play and Learn in Westhampton (14 Shaw Rd) is a 2-week natural outdoor experience for children 3-5yo, rooted in sustainable living & fun! Keeping goals of natural living and sustainability in mind, Sun & Roots will offer a fun environment to explore the world around us and how we can utilize it sustainably. Children will help care for gardens, learn about food growth, play in the brook, and eat healthily. Participants will receive organic, natural snacks & healthy lunch. Offering activities & growth in the following areas: Organic Sustainability; Experiential Education & Play; Health & Wellness; Exploring the Natural World; Responsibility Training; and Creating Bonds & Friendships. Dates: Aug 8-12 and 15-19 (Mon-Fri). Contact: varna.naik@infinityed.us.
FEATURED EXHIBITIONS
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, presents Art of The Hills: Visual Evidence, a Berkshire-Based Artist exhibition featuring a wide array of styles and mediums from artists living within 60 miles of the museum. On display from June 4 – September 11, 2022.
As well as Living Ink: The Art of Tattoos, a look into the artistry, history, and science behind tattooing. On display from June 25 – October 30, 2022.
Find more information and plan your visit at berkshiremuseum.org.
FEATURED PROGRAM
Red Mare Farm Horseback Riding Lessons
Hatfield, MA

Is your kid horse crazy or animal crazy? Red Mare Farm provides year-round dressage-based riding lessons for adults and kids ages 8 and older. Red Mare Farm strives to teach riders to be the best partners with the horse that they can be. Safety, respect, and fun are the essential ingredients. Lesson subscription plans are available, including regular unmounted horsemanship classes for learning beyond the saddle. What are the benefits of kids learning with horses? Develop confidence, compassion, emotional awareness, humility and patience, discipline, and responsibility. Learn to accept disappointment and find resilience. And the list goes on. Join Red Mare Farm, and see for yourself what being involved with horses can do for you and your family. For more information: RedmarefarmLLC@gmail.com; 978-739-4707; www.redmarefarm.com.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
Prelude Preschool of the Arts
Springfield, MA
Community Music School of Springfield (CMSS) is a non-profit community arts school in Western MA. Their mission is to provide an equitable & inclusive center of excellence in music education that empowers individuals, inspires creative passion, and promotes well-being in their greater community. They serve over 500 students each year, including the Prelude Preschool of the Arts, a flexible, arts-centered preschool program for children ages 2.9-5yo. In their community partnership programs, they serve an additional 1,000 students. CMSS provides financial aid to support under-served segments of the community & create quality programs & instruction to help all students achieve their highest potential. Learn more at www.communitymusicschool.com.
See Your Ad Here

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.


Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2022
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. Sunrise-Sunset. With trails for all experience levels, Chester-Blandford State Forest is perfect for hiking or walking. Take in the Sanderson Falls, go mountain biking, enjoy a picnic or go fishing. Chester-Blandford State Forest. 413-354-6347. 800 US-20, Chester, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 7:30am-1:30pm. Amherst Farmers’ Market – Town Common. Amherst, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 8am-12:30pm. Greenfield Farmers’ Market – Since 1975, the Greenfield Farmers’ Market has provided fresh, locally grown produce, animal products, artisanal goods, and handcrafted items. Court Square. Greenfield, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 8am-1pm. Northampton Farmers’ Market – Gothic Street. Northampton, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 9am-1pm.Ashfield Farmers’ Market – Fresh produce, meat, bread, and plants on the Town Common. Ashfield, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 9am-1pm. The Pittsfield Farmers Market – The first teen-run market in the region! Shoppers will find fresh, local, and seasonal foods & products, along with live music, chef demos, workshops, and children’s activities. Town Common. Pittsfield, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 9am-1pm. Great Barrington Farmers’ Market – Lots of vendors. Freshly grown and produced foods, ready to eat or take home, flowers, plants, and more! 18 Church Street. Great Barrington, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 9am-1pm. Williamstown Farmers Market – A setting for community gathering and interaction with local growers, artisans, producers, bakers, and food-makers sharing a wealth of knowledge and skills about local agriculture and production. Spring St. Williamstown, MA.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. 9am-7pm. Come swim, fish, or picnic by the pond at Chicopee Memorial State Park in the summer, or enjoy hiking and biking on the trails year-round. Chicopee Memorial State Park. 413-594-9416. 570 Burnett Rd., Chicopee, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 10:30am-3pm. Holyoke Farmers’ Market. 164 Race St, Holyoke, MA.
LIBRARY ADVENTURES/ BALLOONS. 11am. Wildlife Balloon Twisting with Ed the Wizard at the Westhampton Public Library. 413-527-5386. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/ FIDDLE. 2pm. Sarah The Fiddler will perform an outdoor concert. BYO picnic dinner & seating. Tilton Town Field. Wing Hill Rd. Goshen, MA
MUSIC STUDIES/ FIDDLE. 6pm. Berwick Fiddle Consort with the M. N. Spear Memorial Library at the Shutesbury Athletic Club. 282 Wendell Rd, Shutesbury, MA.
DANCE STUDIES/ CONTRADANCE. 7-9pm. Community Contradance at Pettingill Memorial Park. Cummington, MA.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: Ornithology/Birds Nests
As honeyberries and gooseberries come into fruit, the catbirds and robins are little thieves in the middle of the day, stripping the fruit and leaving homesteaders frustrated and contemplating berry netting next season. And as raspberries transition from blossom to fruit, ruby-throated hummingbirds visit patches throughout the day. High in the treetops, you can spy Baltimore orioles while hooded merganser ducks are down below, paddling down the river with their brood of ducklings. These are the bird sightings you might see in the Hilltowns in late June and early July. But what about their nests? Yes, you can spy those too, but first, learn WHERE they build their nests (in the trees, reeds, or river banks), HOW they build their nests, and other interesting facts about our avian neighbors and the places they call home. There is an estimate of over 18,000 bird species with a wide variety of nests shapes and sizes to discover, but maybe start with learning about the types of nests birds call home.
SUNDAY, JULY 3, 2022
FEATURED EXHIBITIONS
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, presents Art of The Hills: Visual Evidence, a Berkshire-Based Artist exhibition featuring a wide array of styles and mediums from artists living within 60 miles of the museum. On display from June 4 – September 11, 2022.
As well as Living Ink: The Art of Tattoos, a look into the artistry, history, and science behind tattooing. On display from June 25 – October 30, 2022.
Find more information and plan your visit at berkshiremuseum.org.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. Sunrise-Sunset. Donated to the Commonwealth in 1929 by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), this state forest has two lakes, camping opportunities, swimming, a beach, and 15 miles of hiking trails available for all to enjoy. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest. 413-268-7098. 78 Cape St., Goshen, MA.
FAMILY RADIO: 7-8am. Hilltown Family Variety Show. WXOJ 103.3FM Northampton, MA. (Radio)
LOCAL FOOD/ LOCAL CRAFTS. 10am-2pm. Belchertown Farmers and Artisans Market – Small New England town with local-based farmers supplying freshly harvested produce, animal products, and artisan crafts. Town Common. Belchertown, MA.
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.
FISHING/KAYAKING. 10am-5pm. Enjoy a relaxing day by the water exploring the rolling Berkshire foothills. Walk or picnic along the Westfield River East Branch, go fishing, or launch your canoe or kayak. C.M. Gardner State Park. 413-354-6347. Rte. 112 North, Huntington, MA.
LOCAL HISTORY/ COMMUNITY. 1pm. Ice Cream Social on the lawn at Keep Homestead Museum. 413-267-4137. 35 Ely Rd. Monson, MA.
FIREWORKS. 9pm. At the East Longmeadow High School. East Longmeadow, MA.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: Humanities/Summer Trails
In Western Massachusetts, we are fortunate to have so many conserved landscapes that offer mountain views, scenic trails, access to waterways, and places to discover nature’s inspiring energy. When visiting these local treasures, take the time to discover the organization behind the conservation and care of the properties you visit, like Kestrel Land Trust, The Trustees, Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, and the Hilltown Land Trust, to name a few. Learning about these organizations and properties with your kids and then exploring them together helps families understand their value and deepens their appreciation for their work and desire to support conservation efforts. It can also support an interest in literature and poetry. Our natural landscape here in New England has inspired many influential writers, like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. While exploring the local landscape this summer, think about how it can inspire an artist and a writer. Think about the past; why do you think nature writing was so prevalent in the early-mid 19th century? How did nature writing in the United States inspire American conservation in the 19th century and presently with the organizations that protect the properties you visit? And which property or hiking trail inspires you the most, and why? Being mindful of nature as you travel through the local landscape on foot through pathways and atop summits can intuitively answer these questions as they relate to your appreciation for nature and deepen your connection to place.
MONDAY, JULY 4, 2022
4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION/PARADE. 7am-1:30pm. Annual 4th of July Parade – Best hometown parade in Western MA! The parade will feature bands, floats, animals, clowns, antique and collectible cars, and fire and emergency vehicles. Main St. 413-552-9353. Chesterfield, MA.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: History/Independence Day
The call for revolution in the late 18th century echoed throughout Massachusetts as the early American colonists sought independence from the British. Massachusetts settler history is deeply rooted in the history of the American Revolutionary War, from acts of rebellion to the many battles fought on this soil. Every 4th of July, communities commemorate the North American colonies’ patriots who spoke out against a government they felt did not truly represent them and their interests. Lasting nearly a decade (1775-1783), the American Revolution shaped our country’s early identity as a nation. The places, spaces, and communities that made up the Massachusetts colony played a major role in the early American cause for Independence. Learn more about the origins of the Declaration of Independence, the ideas of Enlightenment philosopher John Locke, and its resounding message in history.
TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022
SWIMMING/HIKING. Sunrise-Sunset. Mohawk Trail State Forest is one of the most scenic woodland areas in Massachusetts. It covers 6,000 acres of mountain ridges, gorges, and woods, and it is home to a variety of plant and animal life. 413-339-5504. Cold River Road, Charlemont, MA.
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley
PLAYGROUP. Northampton Parents Center
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County
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.
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.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 1:30-6:30pm. Grow Food Northampton Tuesday Market – Held behind Thorne’s Marketplace, next to the parking garage. 99 Armory Street. Northampton, MA.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: Entomology/Summer Insects
Learning through the lens of native insects holds endless pathways in which self-directed learning can flow. Interests from ecology and food production to language arts and technology are vast when using insects as your point of entry to learning. It is endless! Let’s take a moment to appreciate these fantastic creatures starting with a fun fact about how high in the sky they can fly, followed by two insects who make unique homes for themselves, the lifecycle of another well-loved critter, and conclude with a quick lesson in entomology.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022
HIKING/BIRDWATCHING. Sunrise-Sunset. Mount Tom features wonderful views of the Pioneer Valley in west-central Massachusetts. The area is also a great place to bird-watch, especially for hawks and self-guided hikes. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA.
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley
PLAYGROUP. Northampton Parents Center
PLAYGROUPS. South Berkshire County.
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County.
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.
ORNITHOLOGY/ RAPTORS. 10:30am. Tom Ricardi and his Birds of Prey at the Chesterfield Library. 413-296-4735. 408 Main Rd, Chesterfield, 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.
ORNITHOLOGY/ RAPTORS. 11am. Birds of Prey with Wingmasters at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 2-6pm. Florence Wednesday Farmers Market – Florence Business and Civic Center Parking Lot. Florence, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 2-6pm. The Great Falls Farmers Market – Held in historic downtown Turners Falls. Vendors may change weekly and include local produce, products, crafts, and activities. Peskeomskut Park. Avenue A, Turners Falls, 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.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: Humanities/Picnics
Al fresco dining during the summer months unites our sense of taste and smell with the sights and sounds of nature under the sun’s warmth. Picnics are a traditional way for families to enjoy a meal outdoors while allowing children to “get up from the table” and play. While kids run around chasing butterflies and skipping stones, adults can relax on picnic blankets with wicker baskets filled with sandwiches, chips, salads, and lemonade. But these aren’t the only ingredients you might find in a picnic basket. Learn what you might find at picnics from around the world, and get inspired by picnic foods from the Middle East, France, Japan, and England for your next family picnic.
THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022
BIKE RIDING. Sunrise-Sunset. Ride down the Norwottuck Rail Trail and enjoy the scenic views along the way. Level paths allow you to enjoy the trail no matter your abilities. The trail is also open to walking and rollerblading. 413-586-8706 x3. 446 Damon Rd., Northampton, MA.
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley
PLAYGROUP. Northampton Parents Center
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County
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.
STORYTELLING. 10:30am. Storytelling with Tom McCabe. Tom McCabe is a Parent’s Choice Award winning storyteller, educator, and creator and artistic director of PaintBox Theatre. Ware Library. 413-967-4858. 37 Main St., Ware, 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.
PSYCHOLOGY/ MAGIC. 11am. Ed Popielarczyk’s Magic Show – Ed will weave stories and magic into excellent family entertainment. Ages 5 and up and their families. West Springfield Public Library. 413-736-4561. 200 Park St, West Springfield, MA.
ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum. 413-572-4014. 29 S Broad St, Westfield, MA.
AGRICULTURE/ LOCAL FOOD. 12-5pm. Westfield Farmers’ Market – Locally grown agricultural products and hand-made crafts in a festive community atmosphere. Held on the lawn of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement, 36 Court St., Westfield, MA.
STORYTELLING. 2pm. Storytelling with Motoko at the Chicopee Public Library. 413-594-1800. 449 Front St., Chicopee, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES. 6:30pm. Summer Concert Series with Cottonwood, hosted by South Hadley Recreation Department at The Village Commons. South Hadley, 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)
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: Food Studies/Summer Foods
Depending on the time of year, we often find ourselves eating specific foods related to the seasons and our cultural heritage. Holidays, agriculture, and the cycles of nature all impact the foods we slice and serve. Fresh fruits, frozen treats, and barbecues are summer staples in the hotter months! Let these yummy treats and meal time highlights be a catalyst for learning about history, culinary arts, and even chemistry. From popsicles, fresh fruit, and BBQ, there’s a lot to learn through the lens of summer foods!
FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County
MUSIC STUDIES/ DRUMMING. 10:30am. Drumming Performance with Gaia Roots at the Lenox Library. 413-637-0197. 18 Main Street. Lenox, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES. 2:30pm. Tanglewood Pre-Concert Talks with Jeremy Yudkin at the Lenox Library. 413-637-0197. 18 Main Street. Lenox, MA.
PLACEMAKING/ ART STUDIES. 5-8pm. Arts Night Out – Northampton’s monthly gallery walk and art event. Downtown Northampton, MA.
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.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: Entomology/Fireflies
It’s Firefly season! Fireflies, dancing their bioluminescence ballet across the summer evening landscape, mark this time of year. An orchestra made up of frogs, insects, and leaves swaying in the breeze is the backdrop as the sun sets, and these glowing beetle emerge for a brief time every year, lighting up yards, fields, and forests. Take the time to sit quietly in the evening, listen, and watch a spectacular presentation that only nature could orchestrate. Engaging the sense with the natural world helps connect us to the present moment while strengthening a sense of place. The summer enchantment fireflies can bestow on young children brings fantasy and lore into their childhood memories, staying with them as they learn through nature and grow with the seasons. That magic can lead the way towards learning, bridging a sense of place with the sciences through curiosity and discovery.
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.
Subscribe ♦ Advertising & Partnership Opportunities ♦ Learning Opportunities ♦ en Español

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.