Stroll our seaside treasure with birding basics. Watch for them in the field’s, woodland’s, and at the ocean’s edges. Learn about their sounds, habits, and flight patterns. Enjoy extraordinary views. Bring your binoculars.
Looking for a camp that nurtures your child’s natural curiosity and creativity? Look no further than Acera’s Summer STEAM Camp! Our program fosters critical thinking, creative problem solving, and integration of content areas across a diverse range of offerings that inspire all types of learners and thinkers. Our staff comprises professionals with extensive classroom experience and expertise in their respective fields, such as award-winning teachers, active research scientists, and working artists. We’re committed to providing high-quality and authentic instruction that engages students, both during the summer and throughout the school year.
Kids Bowl Free is a program where select bowling centers offer free bowling to kids all summer long. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.
Art in the Barn is recognized as one of the North Shore’s premier art events, featuring the most talented artists in the region. An annual event for over 30 years, the show normally takes place at Greenbelt's headquarters, Cox Reservation in Essex, and this year we will bring the fine art paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture and photography online. Artists generously donate 50% of their sales to support the land conservation mission of Essex County Greenbelt Association.
Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand. Open rain or shine. For ages Pre-K and up. This is a great family activity.
The historic tour of Willowdale Estate covers historic background, context and conversation about the Arts & Crafts style mansion. Here is your chance to go inside the Willowdale Mansion (willowdaleestate.com) for a unique guided tour. Now an event and wedding venue, this over 100 years-old Arts and Crafts style home has been beautifully restored. The second floor is not accessible. Best for ages 8 years & up.
Experience wealthy attorney Bradley Webster Palmer’s extravagant early 1900s world as you take a 3/4 mile outdoor tour of the mansion, stable, a once celebrated formal garden, and other surviving buildings. Hear how Mr. Palmer donated his 721 acre estate, now Bradley Palmer State Park, to the Commonwealth. Best for ages 8 years & up.
As late spring transitions to early summer, one thing is for sure: it's turtle time! Join us to explore our wetlands in search of these fascinating reptiles. We'll visit areas where turtles like to nest and bask in the sun, look at and touch real turtle shells, and, with a little luck, get an up-close look at a Painted Turtle. We'll conclude with a trip to the Rockery to see if we can summon our resident Snapping Turtle, Godzilla.
Join butterfly expert, Howard Hoople, on a walk through the trails of Ward Reservation’s forests and fields in search of the butterflies and moths that make this special place home. Even if the butterflies/moths are scarce, you will learn a lot about why they like this beautiful property.
Have you ever gone tide pooling as the sun is setting or explored a a sandy beach under the light of a full moon? Engage in on-the-beach nocturnal experiments about night vision, bioluminescence and more. Attract live minnows with your flashlight and watch barnacles open up to feed. For kids ages 4-11.
