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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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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Explore! North Shore: Winter Hike at Moraine Farm

The Explore! North Shore hiking series will get you outside and moving at some lesser explored Trustees properties across the Northeast Region, at the right time of year to see these special places shine. These beginner hikes will not be too strenuous, and will offer frequent stops for learning and...

Where: Moraine Farm

10:00 am to 12:30 pm

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Gloucester's So Salty 2026

Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 5th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival sponsored by the Cape Ann Museum in partnership with Discover Gloucester! This annual event brings over 2,000 people to the downtown area each...

Where: Downtown Gloucester, Where: Cape Ann Museum, Where: Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church , Where: Sawyer Free Library Temporary Space, Where: Local Colors

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

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.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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Raptor Roundup: Meet Live Birds of Prey at IRWS

Get a close look at some live local birds of prey while keeping warm in our barn! Learn each bird's unique story, discover why raptors play such a vital role in our environment, and explore their amazing adaptations, like keen eyesight and powerful talons, that help them survive in the wild....

Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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Amesbury Winter Market

Amesbury Market Daze is your friendly local community marketplace. We take pride in curating a marketplace that showcases local art and food from talented local artisans, chefs, farmers, creators and curators of surrounding Amesbury, Massachusetts. Join us throughout the year to curate and foster a...

Where: Barewolf Brewing

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

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...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

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Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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