Before it was a movie blockbuster, it was a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. The Little Mermaid has won fans through books, musical theater, animation, & dance. On April 1 & 2, Pioneer Valley Ballet (PVB) will perform an extravagant adaptation at Northampton’s Academy of Music Theatre for 3 performances. Set to a musical score by Camille Saint Saens, PVB’s The Little Mermaid tells the story of a mermaid willing to give up her life in the ocean & her identity as a mermaid to gain a human soul & the love of a human prince. A Sea Witch helps her reach the human realm, but on land, the mermaid faces dangers & a strict deadline. Will she win the love of her prince before time runs out & she is reduced to sea foam? Find out what happens!

All aboard for the Easter Eggspress Trolley at the Connecticut Trolley Museum: April 1-2 & 7-8, and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on April 1. This is a great opportunity to visit the Easter Bunny while learning about transportation & local history! Take a trolley ride operated by period-dressed motormen sharing historical information about the trolley cars & museum. The Easter Bunny will roam the grounds posing for pictures. Kids will receive a surprise-filled Easter egg when they complete a Scavenger Hunt, make a Bunny Ear Craft, and visit the Fire Truck Museum. Earn up to 3 or more filled eggs! Cost: $13 for all ages. The Connecticut Trolley Museum is located in East Windsor, CT. More info & to purchase tickets, visit  www.ct-trolley.org

Ready for Summer 2023? Envision your children outside building shelters, playing games, tracking wildlife, learning & practicing fire-making skills, carving, discovering, foraging for wild edibles & medicinals, experiencing, making new friends, mentoring & so much more! At Home in the Woods Camps are Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm. All summer for ages 7+; 4 weeks for 5- & 6-year-olds! Contact Earthwork Programs for information on additional camps specifically for teens/preteens. Register by April 1 for Early-Bird prices–don’t wait! Some weeks are filling quickly. Contact: 413-340-1161. frank@earthworkprograms.com; earthworkprograms.com.

Use code: HTFAM to be entered into the drawing for Frank’s book: Wilderness Adventure Camp

The Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA) in Goshen, MA. IMA’s residential music programs give girls access to top-notch facilities & instruments, veteran professional musicians & teachers, and musical exploration & collaboration. Explore Rock ‘n Roll (Jun 28-Jul 2 & Aug 16-20) offers girls 9-12 opportunities to explore instruments, begin writing songs, and participate in a concert. Teen Performance Program (Jul 7-16 & 21-30) offers girls 13-19 an opportunity to speak their truth via rock ‘n roll, gain confidence in performance abilities, improve musicianship, and develop collaborative leadership skills. Studio Recording, Engineering & Production (Aug 3-13) offers a hands-on studio recording seminar for women 16-24 who are ready to record their work and/or interested in engineering and producing. Dates: June 28-August 13, 2023; Age Range: Girls/young women 9-24yo.Contact: 413-268-3074. info@ima.org; www.ima.org.

FEATURED APRIL VACATION CAMP
STEAM Camp at LaunchSpace
Orange, MA

April Vacation STEAM Camp at LaunchSpace in Orange, MA. Join their makers, artists, and inventors for a week of STEAM maker fun! Campers will be immersed in their 13,000 sq foot makerspace to explore slime, robotics, hands-on engineering, and two days of pottery. These workshops are designed for kids ages 9-12 and are held April 17-21, from 10am-12:30pm. Through the generous sponsorship of community partners at the Community Foundation of Western Mass, LaunchSpace can offer the camp series for $50 for all five days. If you are part of the Mass Cultural’s Card to Culture Program (EBT, WIC, or ConnectCare card holders), camp is $40 for the week. To register, visit www.launchspace-orange.com/classes. Questions? Email sid@launchspace-orange.com

FEATURED SUMMER CAMP
Bement Camp
Deerfield, MA

Come to Bement for summer camp! A variety of programs, from day camp to outdoor adventure with AdventureEast to musical theater to digital storytelling, and much more, is offered for students entering kindergarten through grade 8. Check out their website Bement.org/Summer for information about all their programs. Registration is open, and programs are filling quickly. Contact the summer program coordinator at summer@bement.org with any questions.  

FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Biocitizen: Our Place Summerschool
Westhampton, MA

Off the Screen and Into the Green! For five days, we roam our place—the valley and hilltowns—investigating our natural and cultural history with all of our senses while enjoying the whole-being stimulation of deep biotic immersion. Field Environmental Philosophy is what we engage in: the gentle unforced spontaneous student-prompted opening of the question, “how do we fit into all that’s around us?” Our Place activities are fun! They’re designed to increase students’ perceptual abilities, activate their critical thinking skills, inspire their creative imaginations, and counteract “nature deficit disorder.” Through active physical and mental engagement with “our place,” students gain a deep & lasting appreciation of it—and themselves. Contact: 413-320-0522. kheidinger@biocitizen.org; ma.biocitizen.org.

FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Berkshire Music School
Adventures in Music
Pittsfield, MA

Play outside this summer! Designed for young music lovers ages 5-9, Adventures in Music gives your budding musician a solid foundation in making music in a fun, engaging atmosphere. Participants will enjoy group classes in introduction to music, chorus, and creative movement on the tented lawn of Berkshire Music School’s historic campus, as well as small group workshops in piano, drama, percussion, visual arts, and more! Session 1: Tuesday, June 20 – Friday, June 23. Session 2: Monday, June 26 – Friday, June 30. 10am-4pm. Extended day options are available. Contact: 413-442-1411. cpearson@berkshiremusicschool.org; www.BerkshireMusicSchool.org

FEATURED SUMMER CAMP
Barrington Stage Company
KidsAct! & TeensAct!
Pittsfield, MA

In search of a fun and creative in-person outlet for your young people this summer? Look no further than Barrington Stage Company’s renowned KidsAct! & TeensAct! programs. These exciting camps focus on building acting and communication skills through fun theatre games and building performance skills through ensemble-based work, improvisation, and individualized coaching. Students will create an original musical with their peers to be performed on the final day of the program and experience master classes from professional theatre and performing artists. Spots will fill quickly, so sign up early. Dates: KidsAct! (ages 7-11): June 25–July 7 (no camp July 4), July 10–21, July 24–Aug 4; TeensAct! (ages 12-15): Aug 6–18. Contact: 413-499-5446 x123. education@barringtonstageco.org; barringtonstageco.org.

FEATURED SUMMER CAMP
Journey Camp
Deerfield, MA

Girls Week Friendship Camp happens June 26-30 from 9am-4pm for campers ages 6-10 at Woolman Hill. (Cost: $325-380, sliding scale.) Girls Week Friendship Camp is a week of shared fun, kindness, and supportive new friendships among all ages. Campers will build stick houses on the Pocumtuck Ridge, play games, sing, hear stories, and learn how to talk things out, ensuring everyone feels included in an environment of belonging and social safety. A choice of workshops will be offered, including art, dance, hikes, writing, and story-building. Counselors in Training (Grapes) positions are available for girls ages 12-16 who can support friendships among younger girls (Cost: $175 for returning Grapes; $200 for new Grapes.) Contact: 774-280-2490. melissadelo.journey@gmail.com; sarahpirtle.com/journey-camp.

FEATURED SUMMER CAMP
Sports Camp at Stoneleigh-Burnham School
Greenfield, MA

Franklin County’s YMCA Sports Camp is perfect for kids who love to be active & enjoy playing & learning various sports while making friends & memories! Campers ages 9-14 will have a specific sport focus every week, while the Sports Sampler will introduce younger campers to different sports, swimming, and hiking. All campers will learn, practice, and build upon skills for various sports. Led by high school & college students who have a passion for coaching, they will reinforce the importance of sportsmanship & fair play, all while excelling as role models. Campers will develop strength, endurance, and self-confidence through activities that promote teamwork & healthy habits, all while having fun! Sports Camp: Good friends & great adventures! Contact: 413-773-3646. dgarappolo@your-y.org; www.your-y.org/camps.

FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Academy of Music Theatre
Summer Musical Theater Workshops
Northampton, MA

Summer Musical Theater Workshops at the Academy of Music offer every child the thrill of participating in a show on the historic Academy of Music stage. This fun-filled and enriching summer program nurtures each child’s self-esteem. It fosters self-discipline and art appreciation through performance and movement-based experiences in a creative and collaborative environment. Workshop directors are accomplished educators and performers passionate about the craft and learning process behind every theater experience. “First Act!” (Ages 5-7) happens Jun 26-30. “Second Act!” (Ages 8-11) happens July 3-14. “Encore!” (Ages 12-15) happens July 17-28. “Reprise!” (Ages 5-11) happens July 31-Aug 4. “Spotlight Intensive” (Ages 13-16) happens Aug 7-11. Contact: 413-584-9032. education@aomtheatre.com; www.aomtheatre.com.

FEATURED SUMMER CAMPS
Girl Scouts of Central & Western MA
Harvard, Otis, and South Hadley, MA

Nature lover? Passion for science? Enthusiastic about art? Girl Scout camp has it all and is open to all girls–no prior Girl Scout experience needed to attend! Camping has been a cornerstone of the Girl Scout experience for more than a century. While girls are swimming, hiking, sailing, paddling & honing their skills on the archery range, they’re also achieving valuable life skills. Day camp at Lewis Perkins in South Hadley, overnight camp at Bonnie Brae in Otis, or Green Eyrie in Harvard. Stay a few days, a week, or longer at overnight camp. Girl Scouts’ dedication to progression in outdoor programming means campers practice age-appropriate skills & gain experience they need to feel confident taking the next step in their outdoor journey. Contact: 413-584-2602. info@gscwm.org; www.gscwm.org.

FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Pioneer Valley Symphony
Youth Music Workshops
Greenfield, MA

Play music, learn, and have fun! Week-long summer music workshops for beginner and intermediate instrumentalists ages 8-18, hosted by the Pioneer Valley Symphony at Artspace Community Arts Center. Workshops include theory, history, technique, and small and large ensemble playing during a morning intensive (9am-12pm) and an optional afternoon of supervised free play with music and arts activities (12-4pm.). Tuition is on a sliding scale. For players new to strings: July 31-Aug 4, instruments may be available to borrow or rent. For continuing strings players (1-4 years experience): July 24-28. For brass & winds of all levels: July 10-14. For intermediate/ advanced on any orchestral instrument: July 17-21. Private lessons are also available. Contact: 413-773-3664. admin@pvso.org; www.pvsoc.org/classes.

FEATURED SUMMER CAMP
Franklin County’s YMCA Gymnastics Camp
Greenfield, MA

Gymnastics Camp is for gymnasts of all levels looking to develop current skills further and learn something new, all while exploring adventures each day! Your child will learn the thrills of working on new skills as they flip, tumble, balance, and swing in our fully equipped, air-conditioned Gymnastics Center. Campers will work with dedicated coaches while making new friends, exploring their creativity, and developing new talents through a wide range of fun and enriching activities like swimming and arts & crafts. Your child is sure to come home with stronger muscles and a greater sense of being a part of a group! Gymnastics Camp: where growth & discovery happen, one adventure at a time! Contact: 413-773-3646. gymnastics@your-y.org; www.your-y.org/camps

FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Summer at The Academy at Charlemont
Charlemont, MA

Calling all rising 7th-10th graders! Join The Academy at Charlemont July 24-28 for their Whitewater Kayaking & Hiking program w/Zoar Outdoor, or their Ultimate Frisbee sports camp experience w/Academy Coach Will Miller. Learn to navigate the hills & rapids of the Deerfield River Valley w/Zoar staff through an intro to whitewater kayaking, or hone your Ultimate skills w/a combo of agility, endurance & other Ultimate-specific exercise training, fundamental disc handling skills, cutting-edge offensive & defensive formations & strategies, & spirited engagement in low-stakes competitive games, all in a safe, supportive & enthusiastic environment. Transportation available from Greenfield & Shelburne Falls. www.charlemont.org/2023-summer-programs