Exploration

Reading the Granite Landscape

Find out the story behind the granite at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport!

Halibut Point State Park is also a granite quarry with a history that goes back billions of years! A rock is not a thing but a drama, it can teach us about the great unifying science and the unique geology of Cape Ann. Rocks can tell us a lot about how the landscape was formed and the geology of Cape Ann tells us great stories, all visible at Halibut Point. Meet at the Visitors Center in the park. For all ages. Rain or shine, pouring rain cancels.

When: 
Thursdays, August 22, 2019 10-11am

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

Seashore Adventures: Beachcombers

Go on a low tide exploration at Grace Oliver Beach in Marblehead

Enjoy a summer afternoon at Grace Oliver Beach during low tide and discover the living wonders of the sandy coastline. Walk across the mudflats to Crowninshield Island, where we will search for tiny fish, hermit crabs, periwinkles, and other sea creatures living in this delicate habitat. Explore the five-acre island and its unusual variety of landforms, from granite rocks and tidal pools to sandy beach, salt marsh, and wooded hilltop.

When: 
Wednesday, August 7, 2019 9:30-11am

Family Dusk Paddles: Discovering Wetlands

Join us as we paddle through the winding backwaters at IRWS with the family

Explore the Ipswich River at dusk. Bring your family and join us for an evening paddle in a canoe as we learn more about the river and some of its inhabitants. Being on the water is one of the best ways to explore and discover the wonders of wetlands. We will paddle through the winding backwaters lined with cattails and other marsh plants, looking for hidden wildlife. Using buckets and strainers, we'll stop and sample the rich aquatic life to learn more about what lives under the water.

When: 
Friday, August 9, 2019 6-8 pm

Eco-Art: Bark Boats

Eco-art programs programs combine nature exploration and a craft project. Construct simple sailboats out of bark and leaves, then hike to the river and launch them from the canoe landing. What might a tiny sailor onboard see in the water? Using strainers and tubs, we will dip into the water to see what organisms we can find.

When: 
Thursday, July 25, 2019 9-11:00 am

Family Dusk Paddles: Owls on the Ipswich River

At ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary we'll look and listen for owls as we paddle

Explore the Ipswich River at dusk. Bring your family and join us for an evening paddle in a canoe as we learn more about the river and some of its inhabitants. Many kinds of owls "call in the night" with their hoots and screams as the sun begins to fade. As we paddle along, we'll look and listen for owls, talk about the types of owls we're likely to find at this time of year, and do some hooting ourselves.

When: 
Friday, July 26, 2019 6-8 pm

Family Adventure | The Edge of the Sea

Discover the natural beauty and varied beach to woodland habitats of Eastern Point with Mass Audubon

Join Mass Audubon as they explore the habitats of Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary in Gloucester. The cool breezes, superb coastline, and easily observed wildlife will delight your senses. We'll visit tide pools, salt marsh, woodlands, and adjoining fields using hands-on activities as we investigate each habitat.

When: 
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 9:30-11am

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Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly 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

LEGO Club at Danvers Library

LEGO club at Danvers Library Massachusetts
Peabody Institute Library - Danvers invites kids to an afternoon of building and fun! Activities will include free build, themes and instructional design. All structures will remain on display in the Children’s Room till the following weeks's session
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Read to a Dog at APL

Kids are invited to read to a dog at Amesbury Massachusetts Public Library. Image generated with AI.
The Amesbury Public Library invites kids to come read to a dog at the Library! Gus, a mixed lab and certified reading partner dog, would love to hear you read aloud!
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Sunday, February 16

For the Love of Birding at Halibut Point

Meet at Halibut Point State Park for Beginning birding - held on the 3rd Sunday of each month.
Start your morning strolling our seaside treasure with Birding Basics Halibut Point State Park. For all ages. Winter brings birds and ducks to the seashore that escape freezing ponds up north. You’ll see Harlequin ducks and loons among the winter visitors at the rocky coastal water’s edge. Join us...
8:00 am to 10:00 am

LEGO Train

LEGO Train Weekend at Wenham Museum during Fevruary vacation weekend in Massachusetts
EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! Calling all LEGO fans – we’re excited to welcome the LEGO Train back to the Wenham Museum this February!  Come see a rainbow colored, L-gauge model train speeding along a brick track as it races by soaring skyscrapers, country cottages, mountainside ski slopes and much more...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Family & Friends CPR Course

Learn about infant and child cpr and choke saving skills at Beath Israel Lahey Health's Beverly Hospital in Massachusetts!
It is only a matter of a few short minutes before it is too late to save a life … learning what to do provides you precious minutes and gives someone a chance to survive.  The Family & Friends CPR Course teaches the lifesaving skills of child CPR with breaths, child AED use, infant CPR, and m
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Tour the WWII era observation tower at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts.
Meet at the Halibut Point State Park visitors center to learn about the role Halibut Point has played in America’s military history. One day after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, U.S.
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

Come explore the dunes on Castle Neck and Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts to learn about winter wildlife.
A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much...
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Monday, February 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

Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Kids will enjoy this treasure hunt at the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry in Rockport Massachusetts
Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

LEGO Train

LEGO Train Weekend at Wenham Museum during Fevruary vacation weekend in Massachusetts
EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! Calling all LEGO fans – we’re excited to welcome the LEGO Train back to the Wenham Museum this February!  Come see a rainbow colored, L-gauge model train speeding along a brick track as it races by soaring skyscrapers, country cottages, mountainside ski slopes and much more...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday, February 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

Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Kids will enjoy this treasure hunt at the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry in Rockport Massachusetts
Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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