Weekly Suggested Events for August 20-26, 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: AUGUST 20-26, 2022
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
BOTANY: The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Ln, Northampton, MA.
NATURE-BASED LEARNING: Graves Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. Adams Rd, Haydenville, MA.
LITERACY: Leverett Library. 413-548-9220. 75 Montague Rd, Leverett, MA.
LOCAL HISTORY: Hatfield Historical Museum. 39 Main Street. Hatfield, MA.
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities

The Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA) celebrates its 35th anniversary with a day-long music festival: Lady and the Amp Fest3. The quinquennial event features faculty, students, and alumnae of IMA’s summer rock programs and will include a memorial tribute to the music of Jana Ivanova Abromowitz. Takes place on Sat, Aug 27, on the lawn in front of IMA’s Big Barn (inside if it rains). Gates open at 11:30am. Music until 7:30pm. Family-friendly. Food, drink & merchandise on-site, including instruments & vintage gear. Coolers allowed. Tickets/info: www.ima.org. Sponsors and underwriters include: WRSI/The River 93.9; The ASCAP Foundation; Public Emily Artist Management; Signature Sounds; Dave Sullivan, DA; Healy Guitars. 165 Cape St, Goshen, MA
FEATURED ICE SKATING CLASSES
The Skating Club of Amherst
The Skating Club of Amherst offers a full schedule of figure skating instruction each year from September – early June. Ice sessions are offered 4 days a week to all level skaters, beginner to advanced, recreational or competitive. Their popular Learn-to-Skate program offers group lessons for ages 4-adult on Sundays. Additional private instruction is offered in freestyle, ice dancing, & testing for those looking to advance their skills. Participation in a spring ice show is available to all members. All sessions are held at the UMass Mullins Center Practice Rink. The club is a United States Figure Skating member & is a private, non-profit organization managed by volunteers. Registration forms, when available, can be printed from the website.
For more information: www.scamherst.org;
SCofAmherst@gmail.com
FEATURED CLASSES
Whole Children
Northampton, MA

Whole Children’s goal is to create an inclusive environment where every child is successful & valued for who they are, no matter their abilities or disabilities. Visit their new location at 11 Village Hill Rd in Northampton, where they have classes emphasizing social skills, self-advocacy, and just plain fun. They offer a diverse roster of afterschool & weekend classes, including gymnastics, yoga, theater, art, music, cooking, performing arts, and much more. Whole Children is filling a vital need by creating classes where the hard work of skill-building is made social & fun for children of all abilities & by creating a supportive & caring community for their parents. For more info: info@wholechildren.org; 413-585-8010; www.wholechildren.org
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Downtown Sounds Music School
Northampton, MA

Downtown Sounds Music School provides music education for a wide variety of instruments. They offer in-person and online lessons seven days a week for guitar, piano, voice, bass, drums, percussion, ukulele, brass and woodwind instruments, mandolin, and more. Whether students are just starting, looking to expand their abilities, or learning to play a favorite song, their teachers are passionate about working with students of all ages to meet their musical goals! For more information: lessons@downtownsounds.com; 413-586-0998; downtownsounds.com.
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Northampton Community Music Center
Northampton, MA

Founded in 1986, the Northampton Community Music Center offers quality music instruction for all ages and abilities. The Center houses 15 teaching studios, 2 recital halls, keyboard lab, music library, and recording studio. 50 professional faculty members teach private lessons in more than 20 instruments. Other programs include Music Together® for babies and toddlers, a comprehensive Suzuki program in violin, cello and guitar for ages 4+, instrumental and vocal ensembles, multitrack recording, songwriting, and more. There are many programs for adults and seniors, too. Events showcasing professional and student performances are hosted throughout the year. Financial aid is available to all who qualify. Visit ncmc.net for more info.
FEATURED THEATER CLASSES
Starlight’s Youth Theatre
Sunderland, MA
Starlight’s Youth Theatre 2022 fall classes begin Saturday, September 10. Grades 1-3 will present the musical Frosty the Snowman; Grades 4-6 will present the musical Rudolph the Red nose Reindeer. Both shows will be at Amherst Middle School on Saturday, November 5, 2022. Grades 7-12 will be working on straight plays that are all based on true stories: And then they came for me, A Thousand Cranes, and Just before Sleep. Classes will be held at Maple Ridge Community Center in Sunderland, MA. Saturday and Monday classes are available. To register for classes, visit their website. More info: www.starlights-youth-theatre.com.
FEATURED CLASSES
Berkshire Pulse
Housatonic, MA

Classes are offered throughout the year. Berkshire Pulse is a dynamic, welcoming, nonprofit dance, music, and movement arts education center. Outdoor and in-studio year-round programming provides children, teens, and adults the opportunity to engage in the joys of movement, music, and performance while experiencing the rewards of community involvement and fitness – plus the vast benefits of artistic exploration and expression. High-caliber, professional teaching artists offer ongoing classes and workshops from beginner to advanced levels in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, Breaking, Creative Dance, Choreography, Musical Theater, Tap, Flamenco, Scottish Folk Dance, West African Drumming, Tai Chi, Zumba, Yoga, and more. For more information: berkshire.pulse@gmail.com; 413-274-6624; berkshirepulse.org.
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Berkshire Music School
Pittsfield, MA

Experience the joy of music at the Berkshire Music School! Take a private lesson for all levels and ages offered in any band or orchestral instrument as well as voice and theory, online or in-person at our historic Pittsfield campus. Lessons may be arranged for 30, 45, or 60 minutes each week to meet the needs of the individual student. BMS’s fun Community Group Classes are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis. Visit the Berkshire Music School website for class offerings. Check out why BMS was named the Berkshire Eagle’s 2021 Best of the Berkshires “Best After-School Program.” For more information: cpearson@berkshiremusicschool.org; 413-442-1411; www.berkshiremusicschool.org
FEATURED EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION & CARE
Community Action’s Head Start
& Early Learning Programs
Multiple Towns, MA
Community Action’s Head Start & Early Learning Programs offer a variety of program options for pregnant women and families with children ages birth-5 throughout Hampshire, Franklin, & Western Hampden Counties. Community Action’s Head Start provides early education and care and quality comprehensive services to children in Head Start/Early Head Start programs, offering full-day and part-day center-based classrooms, family childcare, and home visiting. Centers are located in Orange, Turners Falls, Greenfield, Amherst, Northampton, Easthampton, Ware, Westfield, & Agawam. All services are provided at either low or no cost to eligible children and families. Daycare. Preschool. Early Childhood Education Program. Ages 6wks-5yrs. For more information: 413-387-1250; www.communityaction.us.
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA

We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
See Your Ad Here

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Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2022
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 7:30am-1:30pm. Amherst Farmers’ Market – Town Common. Amherst, MA.
SPACE TRAVEL. 8am. Breakfast with an Astronaut – New England Air Museum. 860-623-3305. 36 Perimeter Rd, Windsor Locks, CT.
AGRICULTURAL FAIR/LOCAL HERITAGE. 8am-10pm. The 94th Westfield Fair – Features agricultural & livestock exhibits, truck & tractor pulls, live musical entertainment, and much more. 413-222-4067 137 Russellville Road, Westfield, 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.
FAMILY RADIO: 9-10am. Hilltown Family Variety Show. WXOJ 103.3FM Northampton, MA. (Radio)
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. 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.
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.
SPACE TRAVEL. 9am-3pm. Space Expo – New England Air Museum. 860-623-3305. 36 Perimeter Rd, Windsor Locks, CT.
MODEL AIRPLANES. 9am-4pm. Academy of Model Aeronautics hosts Wings Over Hadley. Honey Pot Road. Hadley, MA.
BOOK ARTS. 10am-12pm. Beginning Bookbinding Class: Pamphlet Sewn Notebooks – Mill District Local Art Gallery. 413-835-0966. 91 Cowls Rd., Amherst, MA.
TROLLEY CARS/LOCAL HISTORY. 10am-4pm. Super Hero & Princess Day – Connecticut Trolley Museum. 860-627-6540. 58 N Rd., East Windsor, CT.
ART STUDIES/LOCAL ARTISTS. 10:30am. Meet the Artists of the Hills – Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 10:30am-3pm. Holyoke Farmers’ Market. 164 Race St, Holyoke, MA.
PARENTS’ DAY OUT/ART & FOOD. 1-4pm. 4th Annual Art of Brewing Festival – Norman Rockwell Museum. Glendale Rd, Route 183, Stockbridge, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/REGGAE. 2-10pm. The Charlemont Reggae Festival: Rooted in Love and Positivity – Charlemont Fair Grounds. Charlemont, MA.
LIBRARY ADVENTURES/COMMUNITY SOCIAL. 2pm. End-of-Summer-Ice-Cream-Party – Great Barrington Libraries. 413-528-2403. 231 Main St. Great Barrington, MA.
LIBRARY ADVENTURES/STORYTELLING. 2pm. Storytelling by Eshu Bumpus – Come at 11:30am for New England Birds of Prey with Wingmasters and check out our book sale fundraiser on the library lawn from 10-4pm! Bring a picnic and make a day of it! Becket Athenaeum. 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA.
LOCOMOTION/TRAINS. 5-6:30pm. Music Train – Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum. 4 Hoosac St. Adams, MA.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: Nature-Based Math
As you gaze at the base of a pinecone, did you know that you’re regarding an incredible example of mathematical reasoning? Nature’s patterns, as it happens, are deeply rooted in the Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio. It’s the ultimate in a marriage between the aesthetic beauty of nature and its mathematical base that makes it make sense. To discover what a learning opportunity this is for the family to share, read our post, Nature’s Patterns Reveals Mathematical Reasoning. Also, get curious about patterns that resemble geometric shapes! Through bubbles, basalt columns, and honeycombs, discover the integration of math, physics, and biology in exploring hexagons in nature. And find the hidden mathematics inside the atomic repeating patterns that contribute to the crystalline structures of not only minerals but also sand, DNA, ice, and metals. Learn what causes them to grow into these shapes and the geometric properties of crystals that contribute to this process.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2022
FAMILY RADIO: 7-8am. Hilltown Family Variety Show. WXOJ 103.3FM Northampton, MA. (Radio)
AGRICULTURE/LOCAL HERITAGE. 8am-7pm. The 94th Westfield Fair – Features agricultural & livestock exhibits, truck & tractor pulls, live musical entertainment, and much more. 413-222-4067 137 Russellville Road, Westfield, MA.
MODEL AIRPLANES. 9am-4pm. Academy of Model Aeronautics hosts Wings Over Hadley. Honey Pot Road. Hadley, MA.
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.
LOCOMOTION/AUTOMOBILES. 12-5pm. 4th Annual Family Fun Day and Car Show – Strathmore Park. Russell, MA.
CORN HARVEST/COMMUNITY MEAL. 2-5pm. Northfield Farms Corn Roast – Field Library, 243 Millers Falls Rd, Northfield, MA.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: World Fashion Day
“Get dressed!” These two words have been said more than once in an impatient tone to children when parents are running late or running out of patience. Let’s take this sentiment and look through the lens of getting dressed as an opportunity to learn about history. Starting with women getting dressed in the medieval fashion of 14th century England and spanning centuries through the lives of many, this featured video series visits working women in the summer (18th century), working-class suffragettes of the early 1900s, British WW1 soldiers, and many others. Can you imagine getting dressed in a hurry in the 18th century? After watching this series, you might better appreciate Velcro and snap buttons! While watching, note things you might be wondering about or your child’s questions. Let your curiosity lead your learning. Search the internet for answers, and allow the questions and interests that arise from your quest for knowledge to continue fueling your learning path.
MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2022
PLAYGROUP. Northampton Parents Center.
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
PARENT SUPPORT. 10-11:30am. Parent Chat in the Hilltowns – Refreshments and snacks will be available & childcare is provided, so parents and guardians can sit down and enjoy time with other adults. Held at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Ashfield, MA.
ASTRONOMY/ PLANETARIUM. 10:30am & 11am. StarLab Planetarium Experience. Join Berkshire Museum educators in the StarLab planetarium for an immersive experience into the night sky. On loan from MCLA, this domed, portable planetarium features illuminated projections of constellations from multiple mythologies. Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.
WILD EDIBLES. 5:30pm. Wild Edibles Walk About – Clark Art Institute. 413-458-2303. 225 South St., Williamstown, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/ UKULELE. 7pm. Ukulele Play Along at the M. N. Spear Memorial Library. 413-259-1213. 10 Cooleyville Rd, Shutesbury, MA.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: Beavers
Did you know that around 11,000 years ago, a seven-foot-long, three-hundred-pound giant beaver lived in North America during the Pleistocene period? Castoroides was the most massive beaver ever to exist, though because of the shape of its six-inch long teeth, scientists suspect it may not have built dams like modern beavers. Castoroides may not have had as sophisticated social interactions as its smaller descendants with a much smaller brains. Indeed, today’s beavers are unique regarding their ingenuity and complex behaviors. Get curious about the behavior of beavers and discover their contributions to the ecosystems of North America as a keystone species.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2022
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. 10am Pick-up playgroup at Kendrick Park. Great for kids ages 2-5 to meet up with other families and to make new friends. Kendrick Park. E Pleasant St, Amherst, 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.
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.
FASHION HISTORY. 4pm. Hair and Makeup of the Gilded Age – Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street. Lenox, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/90s ERA. 4-9:30pm. Performance 32: Nevermind the ’90s – Pines Theate at Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA.
LAWN CONCERT/ FAMILY DINNER. 5pm. Naumkeag at Night – BYO picnic dinner and enjoy live music in the gardens at Naumkeag. 413-298-3239. 5 Prospect Hill Rd, Stockbridge, MA.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: Peaches
So far this summer, our fruit-based learning has included strawberry, blueberry, and cherries. The first two are a type of berry, and cherries are a type of stone fruit! The summer begins with berries, peaks with stone fruits, and ends with apples. Seeing as it’s mid-summer, let’s learn through the lens of stone fruits in today’s self-directed learning module! Pick up a basket of freshly picked stone fruit at your local farmers’ market and get inspired by its juicy sweetness to learn about botany, agriculture, pastry arts, culinary arts, chemistry, living art, and even fine art through the lens of fruit!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2022
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. 10am. For ages 0-5 at St. Philip’s Church Parish Hall. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 126 Main St., Easthampton, 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.
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.
LAWN CONCERT/ FAMILY DINNER. 6:30-8pm. Concert Series at Windsor Lake – Pack a picnic and bring the kids for a family dinner on the lawn with live music at Windsor Lake. BYO picnic/chairs/blanket. 200 George Fairs Way. North Adams, MA.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: Math Books
It seems that the connections between children’s literature and topics within many academic disciplines are endless. Captivating stories introduce fascinating historical eras, animal tales for young readers share basic biology concepts, and community stories teach children about interacting with new people and building relationships. However, somewhat elusive within children’s literature are math concepts. Perhaps the most challenging academic subject to integrate smoothly into your family’s everyday life, math has often been taught through memorization and drilling rather than curiosity-driven exploration. Despite its elusiveness, math is very much present within children’s literature, and there are numerous resources to support families in exploring math together… and making it fun! Discover more in our post, Children’s Literature & Resources that Support Math.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022
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. 10am. For ages 0-5 at St. Philip’s Church Parish Hall. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 126 Main St., Easthampton, 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.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 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.
AGRICULTURAL FAIR/LOCAL HERITAGE. 4-9:30pm. Cummington Fair – Cummington Fairgrounds. 97 Fairgrounds Road. Cummington, MA.
LAWN CONCERT/ FAMILY DINNER. 5pm. Naumkeag at Night – BYO picnic dinner and enjoy live music in the gardens at Naumkeag. 413-298-3239. 5 Prospect Hill Rd, Stockbridge, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/BIG BAND. 6pm. Bad News Jazz and Blues Orchestra – This 19-piece big band performs swing music from the 30s and 40s and contemporary arrangements of more recent jazz, rock, funk, and blues. Chicopee Public Library. 413-594-1800. 449 Front St., Chicopee, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/LAWN CONCERT. 6:30pm. Summer Concert Series with The Phoenix Band – The Village Commons, 19 College St, South Hadley, MA.
ROLLER SKATING. 7-9:30pm. Interskate 91. 413-586-8344. 367 Russell Street, Hampshire Mall, Hadley, MA.
MORE EVENTS: Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
Self-Directed Learning: 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.”
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 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
AGRICULTURAL FAIR/LOCAL HERITAGE. 4-9:30pm. Cummington Fair – Cummington Fairgrounds. 97 Fairgrounds Road. Cummington, MA.
PLACEMAKING/ CREATIVE ECONOMY. 5-8pm. Greenfield Arts Walk. On every last Friday of the month, downtown Greenfield comes alive in a celebration of the local creative community. The Greenfield Arts Walk is a town-wide event featuring a cohort of local arts organizations. Downtown Greenfield, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/LAWN CONCERT. 6pm. Field of Dreams Concert_ Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry – Westhampton Public Library. 413-527-5386. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/LAWN CONCERT. 6:30pm. Arts in the Park with Roger Salloom – Millside Park. 413-529-1400. 2 Ferry St., Easthampton, 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: Food History/Cakes
What do Chiffon, Tunnel of Fudge, Sock-it-to-me, Watergate, Jell-O Poke, Hummingbird, Funfetti, Chocolate Lava, Viennetta, Red Velvet, Bacon, and Pops have in common? They are all popular cakes! Featured on Mashed: “Chances are, you have your favorite, go-to birthday cake — but how about enjoying the one everyone was eating on the day you were born? Let’s take a walk down memory lane and look at all the biggest, best, and most popular cakes that have trended over the years. So, what was the most popular cake the year you were born?”
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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.