Hilltown Families 
Being thankful isn't something with which we are born. We all have to learn how to be considerate, appreciative, and kind. Helping your toddler and preschooler learn these skills isn't easy,...
"Three years ago I wrote a post about (daycare / preschool drop-off) separation and how to make it an adventure. This year, I am the mom, not the not the teacher,...
Project 333 encourages a minimalist approach that throws down the gauntlet challenging us to dress with 33 items for a period of 3 months. It slims down...
Calling All Massachusetts High School Students... Is there someone in your community who is fighting injustice, organizing action, fostering dialogue, encouraging civic participation or educating about important issues? Create a two-minute...
This month writer Sarah Mattison Buhl explores the indisputable truth of action, and what you can do to see beyond the “chaff."
#GivingTuesday is the first Tuesday after Black Friday & Cyber Monday, a global day of generosity, when people around the world contribute to causes they believe in. Be a...
Bee Week 2016, hosted by the Piti Theater Company in Greenfield, MA, was held between June 3rd and 18th. The event successfully promoted bee conservation and environmental awareness through various engaging...
We have talked a lot about engaging children in nature-based art. It is a fun and easy way to get outside, have fun and expose your child to the process of...
My favorite thing to do is collect early spring flower pedals and let them dry for use on the contact paper. Daffodils, crocuses, dandelions, daffodils, early mint leaves are all out...
In preparation for outdoor recreation and exploration season, public lands across the state need some TLC. Families can engage in service-based learning and explore their surroundings by supporting the Massachusetts DCR...
Using natural object as a medium allows us to make the connection between the land and art. A favorite nature-based art project for Candice is vegetable stamping... with her...
Now in its 9th year, Earth Hour is a worldwide event intended to make a symbolic statement about climate change. Participants – from families to entire cities – are asked to...
This has been the worst season for sickness. Well for me anyway, a first time mom with a toddler in daycare! It seems toddlers are the best and worst patients. They...
Making Snow Where There is None Winter is here. But without snow in New England it feels a little different. I am not complaining, because it is nice to take the...
Offered through the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, the upcoming Common Threads conference unites community members of all ages in search for the common good. Tackling issues such as...
VOTE FOR HILLTOWN FAMILIES! Hilltown Families is celebrating 10 years! --- TEN YEARS!!! Celebrate with us by casting your vote for Hilltown Families as "Best Blog" in the Valley Advocate's Best...
Media Literacy Book Club to Start at the Sunderland Public Library The New England Literacy Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT) and the Sunderland Public Library have partnered to create a...
Rather than resolving to change in the new year, we encourage families to explore themselves through mindfulness in 2016. A practice that can support the development of many skills and understandings,...
Here are a couple of ideas that integrate creative-free play with thoughtful ways children can reciprocate their love and caring of the elders in their life...
With Valley Gives on hiatus this year, #GivingTuesday is the time to donate to the institutions that touch your life, including Hilltown Families! A gift to Hilltown Families, a 501(c)3 non-profit...
Helping to provide much needed support for humans, service dogs are truly some of man's best friends. Local families can engage in service-based learning by fostering future service dogs, giving them...
Making Giving about Giving This is the time of year to think about not just our families but also for our community. Living in such a small valley makes it easy...
Celebrate and promote World Kindness Day as a family by participating in a worldwide freezemob/flashmob event! The local installment of the event will take place in Northampton on Nov. 8, and...
This Halloween, give back when receiving candy from your neighbors. Here are 4 easy handmade crafts kids can make before Halloween night to carry with them and to give back to...
How do you teach empathy to teens? This winter, students of the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School of South Hadley, MA, took part in a three week interim course called...
Westfield State students collect shoes to help in fight against global poverty Attention anyone with a closet: Those shoes you no longer want are desperately needed to fight the human tragedy...
Thursday in national Poem in Your Pocket Day. We love what this community in Virginia organized that celebrates poetry, supported collaborations & volunteerism, and encouraged community engagement & literacy development....
The International Day of Happiness is coming up! Celebrations worldwide all share one similarity: the sharing of positive messages with those around us. Families can promote community connectivity and...
Both children and adults can benefit greatly from mentor relationships, and Childcare of the Berkshires' Youth Mentoring Program offers mentor opportunities to local community members! Youth participants ages 8-14 can...