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!
The Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival envisions a world where arts & education are powerful in creating communities where justice and equity are the standards, not exceptions. It will build on last year’s event with even more thought-provoking performances, talks, and workshops on the intersections between arts & education as tools for empowerment, social justice, and equity. In the words of an educator attending last year’s event, “The energy was so welcoming and positive. People from all different backgrounds were there, and it was great to meet them and learn with each other. The music & food made it feel so communal and joyful; this was a nice balance to the gravity of the work we were doing together.” For more info: bombyx.live
Amherst Montessori School believes your child is inherently intelligent and that hands-on learning is critical to their developing brains. In mixed-age classrooms, your child is empowered to explore, discover, and learn through all five senses. In a beautiful new building designed uniquely for children, classrooms are filled with sunlight, natural materials, and views outside to playgrounds. Trained Montessori teachers nurture each child’s innate curiosity and independence. For more information: 413-253-3101; kedreich@amherstmontessori.org; amherstmontessori.org.
The Hilltown Youth Theatre Summer Workshop offers intensive leadership training in the arts for aspiring actors, artists, musicians, singers, and circus performers (flying trapeze, aerial fabrics, lyra, stilts & more!). Join Hilltown Youth faculty & guest artists Matthew Glassman, Seth Glier, Andrae Green, Scott Halligan, Arlie Hart, Laura Iveson, Larry Sampson, and other luminaries from the Valley’s social justice & performing arts communities under the stars to create this year’s outdoor, traveling spectacle, CORALINE. No experience is necessary. HS-aged participants can apply for the paid YouthCorps program. Sign up for a pre-workshop Recovery Intensive. (See Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre.) Hilltown Youth are pay-what-you-can programs. Contact: 413-625-2100. hyrt@hilltownyouth.org; hilltownyouth.org.
Free Spring Art Studio Series for ages 4-8yo, starting May 4!
Does your child want to make art this spring? Sign them up for a freeSpring Art Studio Series at Amelia Park Children’s Museum (APCM) in Westfield, designed to enrich the artistic talents and sensibilities of local 4 to 8-year-olds. Participants will create masterpieces in watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, and fiber arts for four Thursday afternoons in May! Each session will feature a local artist and APCM staff teaching a different medium. APCM Art Studio will offer all supplies for classes. This series will conclude on Thursday, June 1, with a student exhibition. Spaces are limited. Click here to register today!
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! Contact: 413-586-0998. lessons@downtownsounds.com; downtownsounds.com.
Becket Day Camp YMCA is a full-day program for campers ages 5-12 looking for exciting activities in a rustic camp setting. Activities include – Swimming, Canoeing, Archery, Sports, Arts and Crafts, Outdoor Living Skills, Hiking, and More! Extended hours and bus transportation are included in the price.
Miss Leticia Music Summer Camp offers three levels of instruction for three weeks in July. The theme for Week 1 (July 10-14) is Radio Hits: Beginner acoustic guitar, ukulele, and bass, intermediate and advanced rock band. The theme for Week 2 (July 17-21) is Rock Week, with the same groups as Week 1. And finally, the theme for Week 3 (July 24-28) is Songwriting for advanced students ages 11yo+, ending with the students recording the songs they have created in a professional studio. Weeks 1 & 2 occur M-F from 9am-3pm for ages 6-17yo. Week 3 takes place M-Th from 9am-3pm and Friday from 9am-6pm for ages 11yo+. Contact: 413-246-7338. missleticia@missleticia.com; www.missleticia.com.
Heron’s Nest is a nature-based home program for ages 3-6. A home garden’s inviting context helps teach the arts of loving interdependence, devotion to meaningful work, and admiration of our natural world. Animal care, gentle gardening, music, stories, and handcrafting are integral pillars of this program. Days are a flexible combination of structure & free play; Heron’s Nest believes that a child-led curriculum fosters willful learning & genuine curiosity. They are home to a herd of goats, a flock of ducks, and expansive gardens for work & play. As farmers & artists, their teachers Heron & Josie work to create a bright space full of song, plants, creatures, and liberated play for children to share. Heron’s Nest is licensed by the MA EEC. For more information: heronsnest.care@gmail.com. 508-733-7384. www.heronsnest.care.
The Tree of Life Forest School offers hands-on, place-based, healing education for children ages 4.5-8. They are located on a small homestead with nearby trails on unceded Nipmuc and Pocumtuck land. Days are full of the wonder of nature, creative play, purposeful work, and artistic activity. Nature’s tranquility, beauty, and harmony allow children to fully experience life, themselves, and each other. Authentic sensory experience creates the foundation for learning. As children feel, listen, and move in nature, they build a living inner experience that will remain at their core. Nature is an inclusive place for all children to learn and grow. Rachel is a loving and insightful teacher with 15 years of Waldorf teaching experience. For more information: 413-658-4182; treeoflifeforestschool@gmail.com; www.treeoflifeforestschool.com
The Common School, serving children ages 3-12, has selected elementary openings for the ‘23-24 school year. Come see how students are engaged in a transformative education that cultivates a love of learning, critical thinking, compassion for others, and a deep commitment to social justice and the environment. Book a campus tour today and visit www.commonschool.org.
UMassFive College Federal Credit Union is a non-profit, community-driven, and people-focused financial cooperative with a core mission of bettering the financial lives of all who bank with them. Having grown since 1967 from roots in education at the University of Massachusetts, the Credit Union is proud to offer a full range of financial products with the convenience of comprehensive mobile and online technology. Their offerings include personal and business banking and lending with sustainable options, retirement planning, and investment services, financial coaching, fact-checked articles and tools for self-paced learning via the online knowledge center at umassfive.coop, and a full schedule of free virtual workshops open to the community.
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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.
The Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival envisions a world where arts & education are powerful in creating communities where justice and equity are the standards, not exceptions. It will build on last year’s event with even more thought-provoking performances, talks, and workshops on the intersections between arts & education as tools for empowerment, social justice, and equity. In the words of an educator attending last year’s event, “The energy was so welcoming and positive. People from all different backgrounds were there, and it was great to meet them and learn with each other. The music & food made it feel so communal and joyful; this was a nice balance to the gravity of the work we were doing together.” For more info: bombyx.live
🔎 ECOLOGY. 10am-12pm. An Underwater World: Creatures & Critters in the Stream – Kids can let their curiosity dive into the crystal clear stream with nets and magnifying field microscopes to explore the fascinating world of underwater creatures up close and personal! To register, contact Laura Stinnette at 431-454-3232 or laura.stinnette@gmail.com. Russell Town Playground (162 Main St.) in Russell, MA.
There are many places to go fishing in Western Massachusetts while connecting with the local landscape while spending time outdoors. The season starts with fishing derbies around the region in the spring. Getting curious about how fishing has impacted our local culture, the history of fishing, how anglers stored fish without refrigeration, and what fish species live in our region can guide your learning. – What is the fishing cultural heritage of New England? How has Western Massachusetts participated in this culture as both consumer and through recreation? Before the invention of refrigerators and freezers, how was fish preserved? How were fish caught before the introduction of contemporary materials? Do you know how many species of fish live in the Connecticut River? The Westfield River? The Housatonic River? – Let these questions lead your learning this spring. Read more in our post, Learning Ahead: Fishing.
🏃♂️ COMMUNITY SERVICE/ 5K. 10am. Daffodil Run – Attending a 5K can encourage young children to get involved in their community. They can learn about the charity or organization that the 5K supports and understand the impact their participation can have on others. This event is hosted by CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County and is perfect for families with young children. They have a new “No K/Pre-K” mini course that will surely be a hit with toddlers and very young kids. Takes place on the Amherst Common. Amherst, MA.
In the spring, after spending the previous winter in a dormant state, plants awaken and, in many cases, generate pollen for reproduction. This time of year undoubtedly brings more discomfort than a delight to individuals who suffer from allergies because it triggers their symptoms. Why? It has to do with your immune system, a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that coordinates your body’s defenses against any dangers to your health. If you didn’t have it, you’d be vulnerable to the billions of bacteria, viruses, and poisons that may turn anything as innocuous as a paper cut or a common cold into a potentially lethal condition. So how does it work? Allergy season is an excellent way to foster curiosity and enthusiasm for the intricacies of the human body’s physiology! Embrace your curiosity and let it guide you toward new and exciting discoveries, including the fascinating workings of the body’s immune system, and gain insight into the processes that occur during an allergic reaction.
The season’s next basket-centric holiday is May Day, following the spring holidays! Much evolved from its earlier historical and cultural roots, a modern May Day includes baskets full of bright flowers, outdoor folk dancing, and other spring celebrations. While there is no one event or celebration to which we can trace modern May Day’s roots, there are many possibilities. In Roman times, May Day celebrations praised Chloris, the goddess of the earth, and these earliest celebrations inspired similar May Day traditions in cultures for centuries to come. The ancient Celtic festival of Beltane is held on May 1 and celebrates summer’s coming with bonfires and dancing. Germany’s Walpurgisnacht similarly celebrates springtime in a Pagan way, with bonfires and wrapping a maypole. Today, a fully celebrated May Day likely includes May baskets filled with flowers, beautifully dressed Morris dancers, and the wrapping of a maypole.
Everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by a mental illness. Learning about and understanding mental illness can help you become a more knowledgeable friend or family member and educate yourself on your own mental health. Check out the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for information on Mental Health for Adolescents to learn about the common warning signs and disorders of mental health and access to services and resources for treatment.
In the Connecticut River Valley, late spring is always associated with harvesting asparagus or ‘Hadley Grass.’ Hadley, once known as the ‘Asparagus Capital of the World,’ was famous for its asparagus from the 1930s to the 1970s. In May and June, the whole Hadley community would come together and harvest up to 50 tons of asparagus a day by hand. While Hadley and the surrounding towns once had several hundred small asparagus farms, in the mid-1970s, a fungus called Fusarium was introduced to the area and decimated the asparagus industry. Local asparagus production may only be a tenth of what it once was, but the asparagus harvest is still an important cultural event for many in the region. Many of our local towns honor the asparagus harvest as a traditional part of spring through food celebrations and community meals, marking the season and connecting us to where we live through food traditions.
Free Spring Art Studio Series for ages 4-8yo, starting May 4!
Does your child want to make art this spring? Sign them up for a freeSpring Art Studio Series at Amelia Park Children’s Museum (APCM) in Westfield, designed to enrich the artistic talents and sensibilities of local 4 to 8-year-olds. Participants will create masterpieces in watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, and fiber arts for four Thursday afternoons in May! Each session will feature a local artist and APCM staff teaching a different medium. APCM Art Studio will offer all supplies for classes. This series will conclude on Thursday, June 1, with a student exhibition. Spaces are limited. Click here to register today!
This time of year, farm stands all over the area are selling rhubarb. A local delicacy, rhubarb, has been in sweet and savory dishes globally for thousands of years. In China, rhubarb has also been prized for its medicinal properties. For most people, the most common application of rhubarb is paired with strawberries in crumbles or pies. Many 19th-century cookbooks even refer to rhubarb as the ‘pie plant.’ When the weather gets hot, try making this strawberry-rhubarb sorbet served in ice bowls to help cool off! After you’ve eaten the sorbet, you can experiment with the bowl as it melts. Does freezing change the herbs that were encased in ice?
Playdates at Smith College Museum of Art in Northampton: Artful adventures in & around the museum for 2-5 year-olds & their caregivers! Play-based activities led by museum educator Gina Hall & early childhood educator Ashley Miller invite toddlers & preschoolers to respond to sculptures & paintings in the SCMA collection. The program theme for Fri., May 5 @ 9:30am is “Color and Texture.” This free program is created in collaboration with Northampton Public Schools Early Childhood Center. Registration requested: www.bit.ly/ECCpresents. To request accommodation, email: museduc@smith.edu. – Image: Louisa L. Chase, American (1951–2016). Fire and Rain, 1981. Acrylic on cotton canvas. Gift of Nancy K. Smith, class of 1953, in honor of 55th reunion.
Much less observed than Mexico’s Independence Day, which is celebrated in September, Cinco de Mayo serves as a celebration of Mexican heritage in the United States. Families can spend Cinco de Mayo immersed in authentic Mexican culture through arts & crafts, food & music. Read more in our post, “Cinco de Mayo: A Celebration of Mexican Heritage.”
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.
Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Agawam, Amherst, Bernardston, Buckland, Goshen, Greenfield , Hadley, Heath, Huntington, Lee, Montgomery, Northern Berkshire, Orange, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Springfield, Tolland, Washington, Westhampton, Windsor, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
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