Tweens

Annual Ectathlon

The Essex County Trail Association ECTAthlon includes horseback riding, kayaking, mountain biking and running!

The ECTA annual ECTAthlon is friendly relay competition held at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield and Hamilton and on private trails in Ipswich where teams or individuals compete in running, mountain biking, horseback riding and kayaking events. This unique event, which will be held on Saturday, June 4^th, was envisioned as a way to bring diverse trail users together in a fun and exciting way, and to highlight the incredible network of trails in our area. The June 4^th date also coincides with American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, a series of nationwide events celebrating trails and trail access.

When:

June 4, 2016 9am-2pm

Location:

Bradley Palmer State Park

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Let’s Go Fly a Kite: A Practically Perfect Mary Poppins Party

Come fly a kite at the Trustees of Reservations Castle Hill Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts! Photo by Bill O'Connor

It’s an afternoon of Poppins fun for the whole family at this Mary Poppins Party at Crane Estate. Activities include kite making and flying, chalk drawing, lawn games, and more. Kite aficionados from Kites Over New England are on hand to show their kites and flying techniques. Tea, lemonade, and cookies are served.

When:

Sunday, May 22, 2016 1-4pm

Location:

Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

Natural History

Spring Peepers

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Sense of Wonder Walk: Pond Skimming and Muck Raking

Beneath the quiet surface of a pond, there exists rich and varied animal and plant life. Using nets and other collecting equipment, we'll dip into the water, sweep through the weeds, and scoop up some mud to discover the creatures that live there.

When:

Saturday, May 14, 2016 1:30-3pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Renaissance of Ravenswood: Walk through the Centuries

Talk a walk through history at Ravenswood, and explore this wonderful park in Gl

Walk through history at Ravenswood Park! Ravenswood has changed from a main thoroughfare to a forgotten backwoods, and now to our favorite local refuge over time. See the evidence in cellar holes, stonewalls, and carriage paths. Learn the stories of a colorful cast of characters who transformed it into a such special place. Pre-registration requested.

When:

Second Sunday of each month through September 2016

Location:

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Spring Wildlife Safari: Amazing Animal Families

Kids will learn about animal families that live at the IRWS

Spring is a time when many baby animals are born. How much do these animals depend on their families for survival? Come learn how some mammal, bird, amphibian, and insect families will spend their Mother's Day. We will walk through different habitats and investigate which young animals stay with their families and which go it alone.

When:

Saturday, May 7, 2016 1:30-3pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Jr. Conservationist: My Square Woods Afterschool Program

Young Conservations ages 9-11 will learn abou ecology on Cape Ann!

Spring is a time of renewal and growth. After-school activities include lending a hand with conservation work, eco-splorations, journeying as a waterdrop from land to sea, uncovering secret tales, journaling, mapping/orienteering, and hiking our forest, wetlands, and mountainsides. For kids ages 9-11.

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

Conservation

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NYS Trip to Kenya Info Night

Newburyport Youth Services is going to Kenya and your family is invited! In a search for more service trips for teens, NYS found a once-in-a-lifetime opprotunity for Newburyport area residents, and made this trip for the whole family to experience. Families with kids in grades 6-12 are welcome and kids 16+ are allowed without a parent (under NYS supervision).

When:

Thursday, May 5, 2016 6pm

Location:

Newburyport Youth Services

Newburyport

Travel

Culture

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Sail Salem Beginner Program

Sail Salem's Beginner Program is FREE to all kids, but you can only take this program once.

The Beginner class is designed for youths who have never sailed before. This basic, half-day program is available to youths ages 8-18yrs. There are two sessions a day, the “morning session” running 9am-12pm and the “afternoon session” running 1pm-4pm. Students may sign up for either the morning or afternoon sessions but are limited to taking this week long class only once.

Location:

Winter Island Maritime Park

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Amesbury Youth Summer Recreation Programs

Amesbury Youth Recreation offers over 30 different summer programs to choose from for ages 3 and up. Please see summer brochure for extensive list [download link below]. There are plenty of programs to choose from for kids 4 and up.

Location:

Amesbury Youth Recreation

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Mini Masterpieces at NPL

Kids in grades 6-12 will make their own masterpieces at the Newburyport Public Library

Grades 6-12: We'll bring the paint, brushes, and canvas, you bring the inspiration! Join us in the Program Room for an afternoon of art, starting at 3:30. Paint whatever you like, and keep your final creation!

When:

Friday, May 13, 2016 3:30-4:30pm

Location:

Newburyport Public Library

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Superbowl of Birding 2026

The Superbowl of Birding is a unique competition conducted in Rockingham County, NH, and Essex County, MA. During a 12-hour period, teams of birders of all ages and abilities seek to amass the greatest number of avian species, to earn the most points based on the rarity of the birds recorded. Teams...

Where: Joppa Flats Education Center

5:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Nice n' Easy Hike at Breakheart Reservation

Join the Park Interpreter for this weekly guided hike! Each trip will highlight natural and historic features unique to Breakheart. Hikes are moderately paced and range from 2-3 miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain. Best for ages 8 years and up. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Where: Breakheart Reservation

9:30 am to 11:30 am

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CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Animal Tracks | Family Nature Series

This event with North Shore Nature Programs is geared toward families of all ages who would like to learn about the signs and tracks that animals leave behind! We will explore outdoors and look at tracks, chewed sticks, scat, nests, beaver constructions and more! Waterproof and warm...

10:00 am to 11:30 am

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CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes

There is almost nothing more peaceful than a evening walk at the Crane Estate, and we would like to invite your family to join us for a unique hiking experience. With the full moon rising over the Atlantic, we’ll start with a sunset stroll along Crane Beach admiring this spectacle before heading...

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

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