Discovery

SummerQuest at the Crane Estate

SummerQuest at the Trustees of Reservations' Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!

The Crane Estate’s 2,100-acre property is a spectacular expanse of salt marsh and barrier beach habitat situated in Ipswich and Essex, MA between the Atlantic Ocean, Ipswich River, and Essex Bay. Castle Hill, homebase for SummerQuest, encompasses many acres of salt marsh and dune habitat, hiking trails, a stunning hilltop mansion and other grand buildings that were part of the summer estate of a wealthy Chicago industrialist, formal gardens, and an expansive lawn rolling a half a mile to the sea. Our program for ages 5–14 is inspired by this exceptional property and builds on The Trustees’ expertise in land conservation, historic landscape and cultural resource preservation, coastal ecology, and restoration.

Appleton Farm Camp

Summer programs and Camps at The Trustees Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts

With rolling grasslands, grazing livestock, vegetable gardens, an active barnyard, and miles of trails, Appleton Farms in Ipswich offers a uniquely immersive summer experience. Campers are introduced to Appleton’s working farm and adventurous landscape through exciting, authentic educational activities. Our program for ages 4–14 is inspired by this exceptional property and builds on The Trustees’ expertise in nature conservation, historic landscapes, regenerative agriculture, and culinary exploration.

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Mass Audubon Summer Programs at Joppa Flats

Summer Programs at Joppa Flats are designed to engage kids aged 6-14  in nature and to explore the world around them.

Explore nature and get outdoors at Joppa Flats Education Center Summer Camp. Joppa Flats Summer Camp is the perfect program for children with an interest in and curiosity about nature. Campers ages 6 to 14 have fun and make friends as they discover local habitats and wildlife. Register for a nature-based day camp sessions for childages 6-14 today! 

North Shore Nature Programs

Children should be outside during the summer. At North Shore Nature Programs' "Wild About Nature" they will.

Children should be outside during the summer. The long, warm days are perfect for outdoor exploration along with fun and games with friends. Wild About Nature provides a safe, nurturing environment for your child to explore, grow, and make the most out of their summer break. Our groups are kept small so that children have meaningful interactions with fellow campers and counselors. All of our staff go through a rigorous week of training and have prior experience working with children.

Wee Farmers at Appleton Farm

Summer programs and Camps at The Trustees Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts

 

Wee Farmers is designed for our 3-4 year old  friends who want to explore the farm, meet our animals, and get a taste of what Farm Camp is like at Appleton! Kids will get to dig into life on the farm and lend a helping hand brushing our goats, feeding our bunnies, singing songs, and taste testing in the education garden! Learn about how we grow our vegetables and see how good your senses are with Harvest Blanket. Tour the Cheese Kitchen and learn how sunshine helps to makes our delicious milk. We’ll start our morning with a quick craft and song before venturing out for some farm discovery and nature exploration. This program is perfect for younger siblings who have older siblings signed up for the Appleton Farm Camp and want to join in the fun too!

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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. 

Summer Camp at Joppa Flats

Mass Audubon full and half day programs for kids ages 6-12 at Joppa Flats Center

Joppa Flats Summer Camp is the perfect place for youth with an interest in and curiosity about the world around them. Their weekly summer themes offer a wide range of topics – everything from oceans to birds to nature art – as well as opportunities for children to experience hands-on science, discuss reasons “why” and “how” things happen, handle live animals, explore the outdoors, and create art projects to take home. Joppa Flats programs stress environmental awareness, having fun, and learning, both indoors and out. Flats Summer Camp is the perfect place for youth ages 6 to 12 with an interest in and curiosity about the world around them.

Art Academy Summer Program at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly MA

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

Owl Prowl Hike at Appleton Farms

Learn all about owls at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts for kids older than 12
Join us for a very special evening hike to see the owls who might be out and about in the dark winter woods and fields of Appleton Farms. This hike will take place along the trails of Appleton, known to have multiple species of owls. Before our hike, you’ll learn about wintertime nocturnal animals...
4:15 pm to 5:45 pm

Friday, January 23

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

Winter Family Field Trip: Terrific Animal Tracking

Families will learn about identifying animal tracks at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts!
Mammals such as squirrels, rabbits and deer leave many signs that they are active in winter. Learn how to interpret the tracks and signs or clues of active animals in winter. Stay active and warm with a group challenge about hibernation. Conduct an experiment about snow insulation.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Unraveling Winters Wild Tales - Animal Tracking for Families

Kids will learn about tracks and signs and how they can tell a story at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts!
Welcome to the wild world of animal tracking! Participants will learn how to identify animal tracks by focusing on key details such as number of toes, toenail impressions, and overall size of the print.
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Saturday, January 24

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

Nice n' Easy Hike at Breakheart Reservation

Nice and Easy winter hike at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
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.
9:30 am to 11:30 am

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

Gloucester's So Salty 2026

Celebrate Gloucester Massachusetts recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions in the heart of downtown.
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...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Native Seed Sowing at Long Hill

Seed Sowing Workshop at The Trustess of Reservations' Long Hill Gardens in Beverly Massachusetts
Join Cole Campbell, production horticulturist at Native Plant Trust, for this native seed-sowing workshop at Long Hill Public Garden in Beverly, MA. Learn about our native plant seeds, and then get your hands in the soil to sow some seeds that you can take home with you.
11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Sunday, January 25

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
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