July is Sizzling in the Berkshires!
By Ann Claffie
July 2008
“Woo-wee! School’s out! It’s summertime! Mom, now I’m unofficially a 5th grader. This rocks! Free time here I come!”
Sound familiar? That was the excitement I heard from son, Robert after he arrived home on his last day of school. I couldn’t help but wish I could trade places with him. Growing up in the Berkshires was fun, but kids today have a phenomenal list of activities.
If you are reading this column for the first time best take out your PDA or pen and jot down some very cool things to do for you and your family this summer.
First, the free stuff – believe it or not, the Berkshires offer numerous free activities for the whole family or free for kids up to a certain age.
· Western Gateway Heritage State Park, North Adams is a free museum featuring a model trains, railroad history and artifacts and is open daily from 9 to 5.
· Tuesdays at The Clark, Williamstown feature free outdoor concerts held at 6 pm. The Clark's Café with barbeque fare and the museum’s galleries will remain open until 6 pm on concert evenings.
· Wednesdays in July and August present Live at the Lake, Pittsfield's annual free outdoor concert series at Onota Lake 6– 8 p.m. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy the music.
· 3rd Thursdays in Pittsfield are free events! On July 17 and August 21, downtown Pittsfield becomes a street festival with free music, kids shows and a trolley car encircling the fun from 5 to 8 p.m. There’s also a great array of ethnic foods far sale all night long.
· A free Kids Park Passport program is now available in 76 state parks across Massachusetts. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) provides blue passports to kids to record their adventures in the great outdoors. The goal is to encourage families to discover and explore the plants and animals, hiking trails, beaches and campgrounds throughout Massachusetts state parks.
“Hey Mom, let’s plan on going to the Pittsfield State Forest soon. I remember seeing a lot of wild ferns and other plants when we were there with the Scouts last month. We can bring a picnic and go swimming.”
Second, if you are still looking for summer camp programs there are many day camp and overnight camp programs offered throughout the Berkshires. Often located on a lake, the overnight camps teach a lot about self development in addition to sports. Links to most Berkshires summer camps can be found on this web site.
Third, did you know that there’s also fun for kids that happens on stage? Special performances at Mac-Haydn Children's Theatre, the Berkshire Museum and Berkshire Theatre Festival are great for kids. The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Colonial Theatre, Barrington Stage and Williamstown Theatre Festival also include family themes in their productions. Check web site for details.
Fourth, summertime in America also means watching baseball games while munching on hot dogs and popcorn. At Joe Wolfe Field, North Adams, the SteepleCats, an inter-collegiate summer baseball team brings the best college baseball players from across the country to play summer baseball. Be sure to meet the team’s mascot, the wandering Slider.
OK. For this one, you have to rise early, but it is awesome. Sculling on Onota Lake with Berkshire Rowing and Sculling Society is very cool! It’s open to older kids and adults. Be sure to call ahead for reservations.
If you have older kids who are looking for adventure, consider the following: Williams College Museum of Art and Northern Berkshire Creative Arts are offering a printmaking workshop for teens, 13-18 years old. This is a unique opportunity for young people to make prints in a professional print studio. The workshop, called Making a Mark in the World will take place July 21 through 25 and on July 28.
Also, whitewater rafting along the Deerfield River is a great way to spend the day with refreshing (and always wet) rafting rides! Crab Apple Whitewater, Moxie Outdoor Adventure and Zoar Outdoor are three companies providing professional rafting services; you supply the laughs and yeehahs!
Is that it? Oh no. I only touched the tip of the iceberg for activities here. The Berkshires is truly a summer playground for the whole family. Won’t you join us?
About Ann Claffie
A Berkshires native, Ann grew up in Dalton as the oldest of five children who were encouraged to use their imaginations for fun and play. Today, married and living in Pittsfield, Ann and her husband enjoy family fun and adventure with their nine year old son. She has been on staff at the Berkshire Visitors Bureau for more than ten years.