Camping

Family Owl Prowl

Join a Family Owl Prowl  at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Scott Santino

Experience the excitement of an owl prowl as we take a hike under the light of the moon to look and listen for Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Eastern Screech-Owls. Before we head out on our nocturnal adventure, we will learn fun owl facts in our cozy barn using real owl feathers, skulls, and talons. The evening ends with an owl-hooting lesson and smores by the fire pit.

When: 
Friday, February 6, 2026 5:30-7:00pm

Youth Outdoor Winter Survival Skills Program

Kids and Tweens will learn outdoors survival skills at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary!

This new three-day drop-off program is for youths who want to learn what it takes to survive in the wild. Each day will have a different theme around an outdoor skill. We will explore the sanctuary, look to our local wildlife for inspiration, and complete an outdoor skill challenge each day. Our last day will end with a carefully made campfire and toasted marshmallows!

When: 
Daily, December 28-30, 2022 10am-Noon

Crane Estate Father’s Day Weekend Family Camp Out

campout with the Trusteees at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts for Fathers Day!

The Trustees of Reservations hosts an adventure-filled weekend camping at the Crane Estate! Our special site in the Pine Grove is an ideal location for both experienced campers and first-timers. This overnight includes a choice of optional programs and activities on Saturday afternoon, which may include a Great Marsh Creek Walk, a Dune Hike through the Crane Wildlife Refuge, a Guided Kayak Paddle in Essex Bay, or a Scavenger Hunt for the little ones. Of course you are also free to simply lounge on the beach, or explore the property on your own. Bring a bag lunch for Saturday. REI will teach us how to make a delicious, nutritious camp out supper – and we’ll follow that with s’mores around the campfire on Saturday night. A light breakfast will be provided on Sunday morning. After you pack up on Sunday morning, you are welcome to spend Sunday afternoon at the beach (parking in the lot by the Barn only).

When: 
Saturday, June 18 - Sunday, June 19, 2016 11AM

Family Campout at Pomps Pond

Pomps Pond Family Campout hosted by Andover Recreation!

Discouraged by the long drive up North to camp? Worry no more! Join us for a night of camping right here in Andover, on the sandy shore of Pomps Pond! Bring a tent, sleeping bag, and some food to BBQ. Enjoy canoeing on the Pond, S'mores by the fire, arts and crafts, and an outdoor movie! A light continental breakfast will be available for you in the morning before you depart. Fun for all ages!

When: 
Saturday, June 13, 2020 4pm to Sunday, June 14, 2020 9:30am
Location: 

Family Campouts: Summer Owl Prowl

Join a Summer Owl Prowl Campout at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Scott Santino

Explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary after hours and join us for a night of camping under the stars. Have an early dinner at home and then come with your family, your tent, and a dessert to share. Join us as we explore the habitats of the elusive owls.

When: 
Saturday, August 10 6pm - Sunday, August 11, 2019 9am

Gone Fishin' on Ipswich River

Kids will learn about pond fishing on the ipswich River at Harold Parker State Forest

Come and join us for this family fishing experience! Go to the Accessible Trail parking lot at 40 Asbury Street (left turn just inside the park gates past the old gray farm house) for a FREE drop-in program for ages 6+.  Follow the trail fishing signs for a short walk to the fishing spot.  Learn how to fish, what fish live in the Ipswich River, and how to catch and release responsibly. No experience or license required.

When: 
Fridays through June, 2019 9-11am

Sanctuary Discoveries

Camp along the Ipswich River with Mass Auduobon at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Join us for a night of camping under the stars with your family. Have an early dinner at home, and then come with your family and your tent. We will explore nature through games and hands-on activities, set up our tents near the Barn before sundown, and tell stories after the sun sets. All campouts include an evening and a morning activity or hike and a light breakfast.

When: 
Saturday, July 20 6pm - Sunday, July 21, 2019 9am

Tracks and Scat

Explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary after hours and join us for a night

Explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary after hours and join us for a night of camping under the stars. Have an early dinner at home, and then come with your family and your tent. We will explore nature through games and hands-on activities, set up our tents near the Barn before sundown, and tell stories after the sun sets. All campouts include an evening and a morning activity or hike and a light breakfast.

When: 
Saturday, June 22, 2019 6pm - Sunday, June 23, 2019 9am

Family Campout: Owl Prowl

Explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary after hours for a night. Photo Scott Santino

Explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary after hours and join us for a night of camping under the stars. Have an early dinner at home and then come with your family and your tent. We will explore nature through games and hands-on activities, set up our tents near the Barn before sundown, and tell stories after the sun sets. All campouts include an evening and a morning activity or hike and a light breakfast.

When: 
Saturday, September 15 6pm - Sunday, September 16, 2018 9am

Pages

Brookwood School Summer Program for kids Pre-K through 9 in Manchester Massachusetts

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Tuesday, April 14

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Kids can meet the barnyard animals and hear a story at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Bring your little ones to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh story hour. We will read books about animals and nature, maybe sing a song or two, then head up to the carriage barn to visit our Nubian goats, Angora rabbits and see what other animals are out and about on the farm. We will engage in...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Crane Beach Star Party

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in a to learn about Astronomy at the Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts
Celebrate International Dark Sky Week, April 13-20, and join us for a star party with the North Shore Astronomy Club on Tuesday, April 14 (back-up weather date, April 16). Club members will bring telescopes and their expertise to help us explore and view the dark sky from the Crane Beach parking...
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Wednesday, April 15

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later.  When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs
7:00 pm

Thursday, April 16

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Friday, April 17

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saturday, April 18

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salamander Meander

What kind of Salamanders will we find at Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary? Photo: Mass Audubon
Explore the sanctuary's vernal pools, ponds, and woodlands to search for amphibians active during this season. If we're fortunate, we might discover Wood Frog and Spotted Salamander eggs, and we may even catch a few adults to observe closely before releasing them.
10:00 am to 2:30 pm

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
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…
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
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