Hilltown Families 
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What is it? Where is it?
Allow this free word scramble printable to lead curiosity during April! Support language arts by unscrambling the letters to identify what’s in each picture. In early Spring, look for these treasures in nature throughout the Hilltowns of western Massachusetts and around New England.
Use this printable to encourage local engagement in the natural world by searching for native and invasive species, identifying seeds from different trees, and supporting interests in ornithology, botany, and mycology.
Engaging in the natural world, a community-based educational resource available to everyone, supports a sense of place. Make learning relevant to where you live!
Hilltown Families Printables is sponsored by Curly Willow on the Westfield River. Nestled in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains on the east branch of the Westfield River, Curly Willow on the Westfield is an emerging space for the passionately curious. A convergence of mindfulness and community-based education. Member, Community-Based Education Network™.
Learning through the lens of our community not only supports interests and education, but it also strengthens a sense of place. This feeling of connection to where you live and the places you visit is vital to creating sustainable and resilient communities. In this TEDx Talk, Supporting Education Through Community Engagement, Hilltown Families Founder, Sienna Wildfield, shares the story of the history and mission of Hilltown Families. During a time when families… Read More
Orchestra to Braille. Photography to Pop Icons. Creative-Free Play to Collaborative Consumption. These are just a few of the community-based learning highlights we’re featuring this week. Peruse our list below and make plans to get out into your community and learn while you play!
Creative-free play to living history. Pilobolus to Shakespeare. Comics to pastels. These are just a few of the community-based learning highlights we’re featuring this week. Peruse our list and make plans to get out into your community and learn while you play!
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA! MAP Peruse our list of Suggested Events for November 24th – 30th, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety Show. Also,… Read More
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for November 17th – 23rd, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
Also, check our  monthly column, Berkshire Family Fun, for a list of premier educational, cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families.
Check out the New Members of our After-School Classes & Enrichment Programs Directory!
Our community is rich in learning opportunities to supplement the interests of children, teens, and life-long learners. We have put together a directory of after-school & weekend classes and enrichment programs happening across Western Massachusetts throughout the school year. Many of these programs aren’t just for kids, so to all the adults out there – feel encouraged to pursue your interests and honor your callings through these enrichment classes, too!
If you have a class or program you would like to have included in our directory, contact us at sales@hilltownfamilies.org to learn about our advertising options and sponsorship packages.
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
November 17th – 23rd, 2018
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Cultural Itineraries | Forecast | Museum Passes | Weekly eNewsletter | Farmers’ Markets | Storyhour & Playgroups| Berkshire Family Fun | Advertise/Sponsorship | en Español
RECAP
- From Our Library: A Booklist for Studying Seed Dispersal
- HFVS Food Episode with Guest DJs, The Green Orbs (Podcast/Radio Show)
- 10 Community-Based Educational Highlights: Chrysanthemums to Candy Science. Creative-Free Play to Service-Based Learning.
- Reiki Positive: Steps to Generate Positivity
- Off the Mat: Passionate Energy
- HFVS Being Bilingual Rocks Episode with Guest DJ, Hamlet Meneses of Mi Amigo Hamlet (Podcast/Radio Show)
- Berkshire Family Fun: November 2018
- Hilltown Families on Mass Appeal: Seeds as a Catalyst for Learning
- Community-Based Service Learning Opportunity: Hilltown Holiday Help!
- Mindful Engagement through the Seasons:Â Seeds
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
- 4 Books that Explore the History of Thanksgiving
- HFVS Thanksgiving Episode with Guest DJ, Charity Kahn (Radio Show/Podcast)
- Learn About 1830’s History of Thanksgiving in New England
- Seasons at Our Table: Harvest Season
- Living History Museums Bring the Holiday Season Alive!
RECAP MAP SPONSOR
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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARDS
- History Bulletin Board
- Sustainability Bulletin Board
- Theater Bulletin Board
- Visual Art Bulletin Board
- Community Announcements Bulletin Board
- Community Suggested Events
- Community Suggested Camps
- Community Suggested Classes
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="190"]
Hilltown Families is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation helps us make this a free service to our community![/caption]
Weekdays in Western MA:
November 5th – 9th, 2018
Weekday community-based educational opportunities can be found throughout the four counties of Western MA all week long! Each weekday we feature community-based educational opportunities that can be selected to support the interests and education of self-directed teens, homeschoolers and life-long learners.
Select the day of the week and find events that support your interests through community engagement!
- Monday, November 5th, 2018
- Tuesday, November 6th, 2018
- Wednesday, November 7th, 2018
- Thursday, November 8th, 2018
- Friday, November 9th, 2018
Check our list of Weekly Suggested Events for our comprehensive list, including ongoing learning and play opportunities for younger children and intergenerational community events.
See your banner here! Sponsor Weekdays in Western MA!
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for November 3rd – 9th, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
Also, check our new column from Hilltown Families’ Founder and Director of Community-Based Education, Sienna Wildfield, Mindful Engagement through the Seasons. The latest edition focuses on Learning through the Lens of Seeds. And, as always, be sure to peruse our monthly column, Berkshire Family Fun, for a list of premier educational, cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families.
Check out the New Members of our After-School Classes & Enrichment Programs Directory!
Our community is rich in learning opportunities to supplement the interests of children, teens, and life-long learners. We have put together a directory of after-school & weekend classes and enrichment programs happening across Western Massachusetts throughout the school year. Many of these programs aren’t just for kids, so to all the adults out there – feel encouraged to pursue your interests and honor your callings through these enrichment classes, too!
If you have a class or program you would like to have included in our directory, contact us at sales@hilltownfamilies.org to learn about our advertising options and sponsorship packages.
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
November 3rd – 9th, 2018
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Cultural Itineraries | Forecast | Museum Passes | Weekly eNewsletter | Farmers’ Markets | Storyhour & Playgroups| Berkshire Family Fun | Advertise/Sponsorship | en Español
RECAP
- Mindful Engagement through the Seasons:Â Seeds
- The Good Life: The Not Quite Empty Nest
- HFVS Happy Haunted Halloween Episode with Guest DJ, Mr. Singer of the Sharp Cookies (Podcast/Radio Show)
- Learning Landscape for October 2018: Rhythms of Nature
- HFVS Harvest Episode with Guest DJ, Story Laurie (Podcast/Radio Show)
- 8 Family-Friendly Farms for Pumpkin Pickin’ in Western MA
- Let Them Grow: Apple Love
- Need Help Paying for Childcare?
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
- Let’s Play: Nature Based Play & Art in Autumn
- Seasons at Our Table: Harvest Season
- HFVS Halloween Episode with Guest DJ, Andy Z (Radio Show/Podcast)
- DIY: Mexican Sugar Skulls
- Parenting Possibilities: Chores and Halloween
RECAP MAP SPONSOR
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Find out how you can be a sponsor too!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARDS
- History Bulletin Board
- Sustainability Bulletin Board
- Theater Bulletin Board
- Visual Art Bulletin Board
- Community Announcements Bulletin Board
- Community Suggested Events
- Community Suggested Camps
- Community Suggested Classes
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="190"]
Hilltown Families is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation helps us make this a free service to our community![/caption]
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA! MAP Peruse our list of Suggested Events for October 27th – November 2nd, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family… Read More
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA! MAP Peruse our list of Suggested Events for 20th – 26th, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety Show. Also,… Read More
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA! MAP Peruse our list of Suggested Events for October 13th – 19th, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety… Read More
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for October 6th – 12th, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
Also, check our monthly column, Berkshire Family Fun, for a list of premier educational, cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families.
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
October 6th – 12th, 2018
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Cultural Itineraries | Forecast | Museum Passes | Weekly eNewsletter | Farmers’ Markets | Storyhour & Playgroups| Berkshire Family Fun | Advertise/Sponsorship | en Español
RECAP
- Off the Mat: Homework Time
- Reiki Positive: Love Is a Verb
- HFVS Intro to the History of Rock Episode with Guest DJs, Ari & Ezra from The Oot n’ Oots (Podcast/Radio Show)
- 11 Community-Based Educational Highlights: Fall Festivals to Community Meals. Textile Arts to Classical Music.
- Learning Landscape for September: A Transition Between Seasons Brings a Colorful Table
- HFVS World Languages Episode with Guest DJ, Sarah Aroeste (Radio Show/Podcast)
- Autumn Bucket List: Reader Recommendations for Fall Fun in Western MA
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
- Fall Science: Hands-On Experiments to Connect with the Change of Season
- Soup’s On: Lunch Box Ideas
- Literary Guide for Lucy Frank’s “The Homeschool Liberation League”
- Hilltown Families on Mass Appeal: Learning Through Fall Harvests
- Autumn Supports Science-Based Learning in Local Landscape
RECAP MAP SPONSOR
See your banner here! Sponsor Recap Map!
Find out how you can be a sponsor too!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARDS
- History Bulletin Board
- Sustainability Bulletin Board
- Theater Bulletin Board
- Visual Art Bulletin Board
- Community Announcements Bulletin Board
- Community Suggested Events
- Community Suggested Camps
- Community Suggested Classes
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="190"]
Hilltown Families is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation helps us make this a free service to our community![/caption]
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA! MAP Peruse our list of Suggested Events for September 30th – October 6, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety… Read More
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA! MAP Peruse our list of Suggested Events for September 22nd – 28th, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety Show…. Read More
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA! MAP Peruse our list of Suggested Events for September 15th – 21st, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Annoucements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety… Read More
Weekdays in Western MA:
September 10th – 14th, 2018
Weekday community-based educational opportunities can be found throughout the four counties of Western MA all week long! Each weekday we feature community-based educational opportunities that can be selected to support the interests and education of self-directed teens, homeschoolers and life-long learners.
Select the day of the week and find events that support your interests through community engagement!
- Monday, September 10th, 2018
- Tuesday, September 11th, 2018
- Wednesday, September 12th, 2018
- Thursday, September 13th, 2018
- Friday, September 14th, 2018
Check our list of Weekly Suggested Events for our comprehensive list, including ongoing learning and play opportunities for younger children and intergenerational community events.
See your banner here! Sponsor Weekdays in Western MA!
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for September 8th – 14th, 2018Â for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
Also, check our monthly column, Berkshire Family Fun, for a list of premier educational, cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families.
Our New After-School Classes & Enrichment Programs Directory is Here!
Our community is rich in learning opportunities to supplement the interests of children, teens, and life-long learners. We have put together a directory of after-school & weekend classes and enrichment programs happening across Western Massachusetts throughout the school year. Many of these programs aren’t just for kids, so to all the adults out there – feel encouraged to pursue your interests and honor your callings through these enrichment classes, too!
If you have a class or program you would like to have included in our directory, contact us at sales@hilltownfamilies.org to learn about our advertising options and sponsorship packages.
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
September 8th – 14th, 2018
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Cultural Itineraries | Forecast | Museum Passes | Weekly eNewsletter | Farmers’ Markets | Storyhour & Playgroups| Berkshire Family Fun | Advertise/Sponsorship | en Español
RECAP
- Suggested Events for September 8th – 14th, 2018
- Reiki Positive: Waves
- Off the Mat: Lessons in Unconditional Love from Piggett
- HFVS Back to School Episode with Guest DJ, Joanie Leeds
- Berkshire Family Fun: September 2018
- Hilltown Families on Mass Appeal: Community-Based Learning for Late Summer
- Supporting Seasonal Learning in the Late Summer with Community-Based Educational Resources &Â Opportunities
- The Family Plant Nursery: Homestead-Scale Propagation Projects
- HFVS Wildlife Episode with Guest DJs, Casey & Kevin from The Whizpops
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
- Neuroscience for Kids: Understanding the Brain for Deeper Learning
- Our Growing Roots: Farmers’ Markets Feed a Sense of Community
- Astronomy Resources for Budding Scientists
- Using Math to Map Constellations Deepens Sense of Place in the Universe
- How to Get Kids to Practice Their Musical Instruments
RECAP MAP SPONSOR
See your banner here! Sponsor Recap Map!
Find out how you can be a sponsor too!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARDS
- History Bulletin Board
- Sustainability Bulletin Board
- Theater Bulletin Board
- Visual Art Bulletin Board
- Community Announcements Bulletin Board
- Community Suggested Events
- Community Suggested Camps
- Community Suggested Classes
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="190"]
Hilltown Families is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation helps us make this a free service to our community![/caption]
Weekdays in Western MA:
September 3rd – 7th, 2018
Weekday community-based educational opportunities can be found throughout the four counties of Western MA all week long! Each weekday we feature community-based educational opportunities that can be selected to support the interests and education of self-directed teens, homeschoolers and life-long learners.
Select the day of the week and find events that support your interests through community engagement!
- Monday, September 3, 2018
- Tuesday, September 4, 2018
- Wednesday, September 5, 2018
- Thursday, September 6, 2018
- Friday, September 7, 2018
Check our list of Weekly Suggested Events for our comprehensive list, including ongoing learning and play opportunities for younger children and intergenerational community events.
See your banner here! Sponsor Weekdays in Western MA!
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for September 1st – 7th, 2018 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including Bulletin Board Announcements, Ongoing Story Hours & Playgroups and the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
Also, check out our monthly column, Berkshire Family Fun, for a list of premier educational, cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families and our bi-weekly column, Learn Local. Play Local. for a deep dive into the learning opportunities embedded throughout our communities. This week, we also have a couple of special posts to share with you:Â
Hilltown Families on Mass Appeal: Community-Based Learning in Late Summer
Hilltown Families and Mass Appeal (a weekday, hour-long lifestyle program on NBC) have teamed up to offer a live monthly segment on WWLP 22News! Each month, community-based education specialist and Hilltown Families’ Founder, Sienna Wildfield, joins Mass Appeal hosts to talk about ways to engage in your community while supporting the interests and education of your children (and yourselves!).
This monthly segment continued on Monday, August 27, 2018 with Sienna and Danny talking about late summer resources and opportunities that support learning through community-based education.
[caption id="attachment_75630" align="aligncenter" width="477"]
Click on video to view.[/caption]
For more information and links to resources mentioned in this segment, check out our recent post, Supporting Seasonal Learning in the Late Summer with Community-Based Educational Resources &Â Opportunities.
Our New After-School Classes & Enrichment Programs Directory is Here!
Our community is rich in learning opportunities to supplement the interests of children, teens, and life-long learners. We have put together a directory of after-school & weekend classes and enrichment programs happening across Western Massachusetts throughout the school year. Many of these programs aren’t just for kids, so to all the adults out there – feel encouraged to pursue your interests and honor your callings through these enrichment classes, too!
If you have a class or program you would like to have included in our directory, contact us at sales@hilltownfamilies.org to learn about our advertising options and sponsorship packages.
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
September 1st – 7th, 2018
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Cultural Itineraries | Forecast | Museum Passes | Weekly eNewsletter | Farmers’ Markets | Storyhour & Playgroups| Berkshire Family Fun | Advertise/Sponsorship | en Español
RECAP
- Suggested Events for September 1st – September 7th, 2018
- 10 Community-Based Educational Highlights: Peach Tea to Chicken BBQ. Zen Buddhism to Hindu Traditions.
- Hilltown Families on Mass Appeal: Community-Based Learning for Late Summer
- Supporting Seasonal Learning in the Late Summer with Community-Based Educational Resources &Â Opportunities
- The Family Plant Nursery: Homestead-Scale Propagation Projects
- HFVS Wildlife Episode with Guest DJs, Casey & Kevin from The Whizpops
- Community Spotlight: All Out Adventures
- Let Them Grow: Water &Â Color
- HFVS Eclectic Happiness Episode with Guest DJ, Chris Ballew of Caspar Babypants (Podcast/Radio Show)
- 11 Community-Based Educational Highlights: Service Dogs to Community Meals. Art Studies to Food History.
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
- Tips for a New School Year
- 5 Solutions to Packing a Waste-Free Lunch
- 6 Back-to-School Lunch Ideas
- 7 Things to Tell the Teacher About Your Child
- How to Get Kids to Practice Their Musical Instruments
RECAP MAP SPONSOR
See your banner here! Sponsor Recap Map!
Find out how you can be a sponsor too!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARDS
- History Bulletin Board
- Sustainability Bulletin Board
- Theater Bulletin Board
- Visual Art Bulletin Board
- Community Announcements Bulletin Board
- Community Suggested Events
- Community Suggested Camps
- Community Suggested Classes
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="190"]
Hilltown Families is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation helps us make this a free service to our community![/caption]
Cultural Itineraries
- Season: January & February
- Season: March & April
- Season: May & June
- Season: July & August
- Season: September & October
- Season: November & December
