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Learn Local. Play Local.
In mid-May, families can enjoy hands-on learning in gardens, on farms, at downtown gatherings, and through local history programs. Events like the Greenfield Bee Fest, the Hilltown Seed Saving Network Spring Plant Swap, and Just Roots’ Spring Festival are great opportunities to support interests in our local pollinators, seed saving, soil health, and garden-based learning. Young people interested in farming can try animal care and 4-H activities at the Barnyard to Backyard Workshops. In Springfield, Chester, and the Berkshires, long-standing community events help families connect with local food traditions, railroad history, and the region’s identity. This week also brings the Emily Dickinson Poetry Walk, Crankie Fest, and the Nolumbeka Project’s Day of Remembrance, with opportunities to learn about poetry, folk art, and regional history.
Discover more events in our list of
Weekly Suggested Events:
Thurs, May 14 | Fri, May 15 | Sat, May 16 | Sun, May 17
Mon, May 18 | Tues, May 19 | Wed, May 20 | Thurs, May 21 | Fri, May 22
✨Playgroups & Storyhours✨
| | HILLTOWN FAMILIES FEATURED SPONSORS | | FEATURED EVENTS, SUMMER CAMPS, SCHOOLS, & MORE IN WESTERN MA! | |
Greenfield Bee Fest celebrates its Sweet Sixteenth on May 16 from 9am-4pm with artsy activities, a pollinator parade, local crafts, and Crankie Fest. Join in to honor modern beehive creator Lorenzo Langstroth and learn about the importance of bees. | | | FEATURED EVENT 35th Annual Chester On Track Chester, MA | The 35th Annual Chester On Track returns Saturday, May 16, with a parade, train show, craft fair, and hands-on activities at the historic railroad station. Families can enjoy vintage railcars, outdoor hikes, live music, and more at this free community event. | | | FEATURED MUSEUM Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum Shelburne Falls, MA | The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum features a restored 1896 trolley car, interactive railway exhibits, and rides for visitors of all ages. The museum re-opens for the season on Sat., May 23 and is open weekends and holidays from late May through October, offering a hands-on way to explore regional history and railroad heritage. | | | UMassFive College Credit Union in Hadley is hosting its second annual celebration with free activities for all ages on May 30. Join the scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes like a Nintendo Switch, LEGO sets, Magna-Tiles, and scooters. | | | FEATURED DAY CARE Tina's Kiddie Junction Daycare Hinsdale, MA | Tina's Kiddie Junction Daycare in Hinsdale, MA, offers a nurturing environment for kids ages 3mo-6yrs, with dedicated classrooms and play-based learning. Experienced teachers help children build social, emotional, and early academic skills in a warm, supportive setting. | | | FEATURED SUMMER CAMP Bement Summer Camp Deerfield, MA | During June, July, and August, Bement 's campus takes on a new role: summer camp! Every year, children entering kindergarten through grade 9 flock to Bement for a variety of summer program offerings. In addition to their traditional day camp, they are thrilled to offer one and two-week enrichment camps in a variety of topics. | | | FEATURED SUMMER CAMP UMass Discovery Camp Amherst, MA | UMass Discovery Camp is a vibrant summer experience where imagination takes flight, and each day sparks a new adventure. A proud RecWell collaboration, the camp invites young creators and problem solvers into hands‑on challenges that ignite curiosity and nourish their creativity. One day a science mystery, the next a nature quest, athletic challenge, or team mission. Age Range: 7-12. Dates: August 3-14, 2026. | | | |
FEATURED DIRECTORY
Annual Summer Camp & Program Directory
Western Massachusetts & Neighboring Region
| Summer planning just got easier with the Hilltown Families Annual Summer Directory, a regional online guide to camps and programs across Western Massachusetts and nearby states. Families can explore options by interest, location, age, or camp type to find the right fit for their child. Listings include arts & performance, outdoor & nature, sports & recreation, and STEM & academics to general enrichment, sleep-away camps, and family programs across Western Massachusetts and neighboring areas of CT, NH, and VT. The directory offers a helpful way to explore possibilities and shape a summer filled with learning, creativity, and adventure! | | | | HILLTOWN FAMILIES YEARLY SPONSORS | | FEATURED EVENTS, STUDIES, CAMPS, SCHOOLS, AND MORE IN WESTERN MA! | |
FEATURED EVENT Ipswich Bobbin Lace Workshop Northampton, MA | The Betty Allen Chapter DAR in Northampton invites the public to an open house on Saturday, May 23, with a free Ipswich bobbin lace demonstration and hands-on workshop in the afternoon. Learn the basics of this historic New England craft. | | | | |
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM The Nest Nursery Northampton, MA | Wild Garden of Childhood in Northampton is expanding its infant program and now enrolling infants at The Nest Nursery for summer and beyond. The Nest offers a nurturing environment full of love, music, and art, with teachers providing a gentle foundation through outdoor time, free play, and caring connections. Dates: June-August, 2026. Age Range: 3 to 12 months. | | | |
FEATURED STUDY Aulet Lab / CANDL Lab Amherst, MA | The Aulet Lab / CANDL Lab at UMass Amherst invites children ages 4-8 to join a short study on how kids think about movement and balance. Parents complete consent and a brief demographics questionnaire at the start of the visit, which lasts about 30 minutes. | | | | |
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL Community Music School of Springfield Springfield, MA | Enroll today with the Community Music School of Springfield for high-quality private lessons, flexible scheduling, and in-person or online options for all ages. Learn over 30 instruments, including voice, and get the support you need to reach your musical goals. | | | |
FEATURED SCHOOL The Common School Amherst, MA | The Common School in Amherst is now accepting September 2026 applications, offering progressive education with outdoor learning for ages 3-12. | | | | |
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAMS Berkshire Music School Pittsfield, MA | Berkshire Music School in Pittsfield, MA, offers summer programs including Adventures in Music, a collaboration with Berkshire Art Center, and Musical Theater. Register today to keep your kids engaged and inspired. | | | | HILLTOWN FAMILIES ANNUAL DIRECTORIES | | HILLTOWN FAMILIES ANNUAL SPONSORS | |
Dandelions serve as effective educational tools across various fields, highlighting their ecological significance and versatility. They can be used to teach about plant biology, pollinators, and biomimicry potential. By engaging with dandelions, learners can foster a deeper understanding of ecological and nutritional aspects, promoting stronger bonds within communities and the environment. | | | | |
Exploring the world of asparagus can provide insights into the culinary arts, agriculture, and science. This spring vegetable offers a unique opportunity to learn about plant life cycles, the impact of soil and climate on agriculture, and the economic aspects of farming. | | | |
Explore the world of kitchen chemistry to enhance your culinary skills and scientific understanding. Understand the Maillard reaction for perfect browning and delightful crisp in foods. Learning how ingredients interact during cooking boosts recipe quality and allows for confident experimentation. Molecular gastronomy offers playful ways to create surprising textures and flavors. | | | | |
Sustainable farming methods like regenerative, organic, and biodynamic techniques offer eco-friendly practices that enhance soil health, promote biodiversity, and reduce chemical use. Regenerative agriculture improves soil fertility and carbon sequestration, organic farming eliminates harmful chemicals, and biodynamic farming utilizes natural cycles for greater sustainability. | | | |
Growing a Three Sisters Garden teaches sustainable agriculture and Native American traditions, using a companion planting technique with corn, beans, and squash. This method, deeply rooted in Native American culture, supports each plant mutually: corn stalks help beans climb; beans fix nitrogen in the soil, aiding all three; and squash leaves conserve moisture and control weeds. | | | | |
Fishing is a beloved New England activity that connects to nature and the seasonal cycle. From winter ice fishing to spring fishing derbies, anglers can experience the region's beauty while connecting to place. This tradition enhances community bonds and conservation awareness. Fishing derbies enrich our appreciation for local waterways, promoting sustainable practices. | | | | |
🎶📻 HFVS Your Mind is the Garden Episode with guest DJ, Claudia Robin Gunn
Guest DJ Claudia Robin Gunn is back on the Hilltown Family Variety Show with a new episode focused on mindfulness and music. With songs about breathing and imagination, listeners can take a moment to slow down and notice their thoughts. Tracks like “Shake it Out (No Worries)” and “Focus on the Good” give families a fun way to practice being present and mindful together.
Every Saturday, listen to the Hilltown Family Variety Show either on your FM dial at 103.3FM WXOJ (Northampton, MA) or on our website for a full hour of commercial-free, quality family programming! Encores air Sunday mornings from 7-8am.
Hilltown Families eNewsletter subscribers are invited to an exclusive preview each week!
➡️ Click here for a speak preview of this weekend's episode. ⬅️
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The Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair at the Cummington Fairgrounds offers engaging workshops, demonstrations, and exhibits that introduce visitors of all ages to sheep farming and fiber arts. Shop the vendor marketplace, enjoy hands-on activities, and celebrate the region's rich heritage in sheep farming and woolcraft. | | | |
The Odenong Powwow at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School is a free event open to all ages, giving families a chance to experience Native American, First Nations, and Indigenous American traditions in the Five College area. Everyone is welcome to join in and enjoy music, dance, traditional foods, and handmade arts, all while building community and learning together. | | | |
The Radical Reptiles Series at the Pittsfield library invites children 12 and under to three live animal sessions with The Reptile Nook in May, exploring ecosystems, lizards, and snakes. Kids will discover the diversity of local reptiles and amphibians and learn why these fascinating animals matter at this free series. | | | | What is Hilltown Families? | | | Hilltown Families’ mission is to support the common good of our community through the development of a sense of place by a shared understanding in the value of self-directed learning through community engagement. These learning values are referred to as “community-based education” and are accessible and inclusive to an intergenerational audience. This process of learning unites community members through shared interests, establishes a shared history, and deepens a connection to place. | | Your finacial support keeps Hilltown Families freely shared and community-driven after 20 years of service. We’re grateful for your help in continuing this work. | | |
Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Agawam, Ashfield, Bernardston, Chester, Deerfield, Goshen, Hadley, Heath, Lee, Leyden, Mount Washington, Orange, Plainfield, Richmond, South Hadley, Washington, Westhampton, and West Springfield Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
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