All Ages

Beach Discovery Program

Learn about beach creeatures and their habitats at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport. Photo: ©2013

Your family loves spending time at the beach at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, so do many wildlife families! Come join refuge staff and volunteers to learn who else makes the refuge beach their home, and all the shoreline treasures that help support their food, water, shelter needs. This is a drop-in program. Come for 15 minutes or a few hours. Kids and families will play games, make crafts, and learn about wildlife and beach habitats using discovery kits. Earn prizes. Look for our tent on the beach at Lot #1. NO preregistration for this program.

When:

Saturday, July 15, 2017 10am-Noon

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Piping Plover Peeping

Learn about piping plovers of the Parker River Wildlife Refuge on this ranger guided tour.

Join park staff from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to learn about the federally – threatened Atlantic coast piping plover nests and how it raises its young on Plum Island’s beaches from April through August. Join a refuge ranger for a chance to glimpse this native species in its wild habitat and to hear the story of how biologists work to conserve the plover under the Endangered Species Act.

When:

Friday, July 21, 2017 9-11am

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Nelson Island Tour at Parker River

Tour and discover Nelson Island at Parker River Wildlife Refuge.

Join a ranger for a tour of a beautiful spot that few people visit: Nelson Island. If we’re lucky, we might catch a glimpse of a nesting osprey. Learn about the history of this little known refuge jewel. If weather and tide permits, we’ll take a very short walk along the marsh. (Muddy, wet areas are possible so rubber boots are recommended.) Consider bringing binoculars and/or a camera. *Please note: Those who call and leave messages after hours, your registration is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation call from a refuge staff member.

When:

Monday, July 17, 2017 10am-Noon

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Animal Tracking Program

Kids will learn about animal tracks and behaviors at Parker River Wildlife Refuge.

Many animals live on the refuge, but are hard to find. They are either active at night, wary of people, or both. Though you may not see them, their tracks can be just as interesting to find. Go out on the refuge with intern Dominic Noce as he teaches you how to find and identify tracks of different types of animals. Meet the program leader in the refuge visitor center auditorium for a brief slide show, after which he’ll lead you on a tracking exploration on the refuge. Please wear long pants and boots (for tick prevention) and otherwise dress for the weather. NO preregistration for th

When:

Sunday, July 16, 2017 10am-Noon

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Kids’ Nature Walks - Explore the Refuge

Take your 3-5 year old youngster on a good old fashioned nature discovery walk at Parker River Wildlife Refuge.

Take your 3-5 year old youngster on a good old fashioned nature discovery walk. Meet at the refuge visitor center before driving together to the head of the day's trail on the refuge (no parking fee charged). For each session, a refuge volunteer will lead the children and their caregivers on a walk to explore different aspects of the refuge: beach, dune, marsh, scrub forest, cranberry bog. Come dressed for the weather. If the weather is completely unsuitable for outdoor enjoyment, then an indoor program comprised of a story, activity and craft will be held at the visitor center instead.

When:

Monday, July 24, 2017 10:00-11:30am

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Crane Estate Picnic Concert - Vyntyge Skynard

Vyntyge Skynard bring classic southern rock to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich MA

Part of the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, this is a great way to get together and have fun with the whole family in an exclusive setting. You can pack a picnic dinner, bring the kids, and get ready to dance the night away under the stars on the Grand Allée. Explore the landscaped grounds and the family "Eye Spy."

When:

Thursday, July 6, 2017 7-9pm

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Ipswich

Concert

Live Music

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Endicott Park Day

Danvers Family Festival. Danvers MA - Family fun at Endicott Park

Endicott Park Day is a true family outing, with activities and events for people of all ages starting at 11:00. From the Doll Carriage Parade to face painting & temporary tattoos, and other kid’s activities, demonstrations, and rides. There is sure to be something for everyone. Local businesses and crafts-people will have booths. And bring an appetite, as a wide variety of food is available from fried dough to Boy Scout Troop 155’s grill. *(for a nominal fee). The Parent / Child Cookie Baking contest will be in Carriage House Conference Room, and the Entertainment will be in the Carriage House. All day rides for only $5.00

When:

Saturday, June 24, 2017 11am-3pm

Location:

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Snow White: A Through the Looking Glass Panto!

Snow White heads to Wonderland in this original panto performed by Theater in the Open at Maudlsay State Park

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s time one again for our Spring Pantomime! This time around we’ll be following the adventures of Snow White as she takes a peek at what happens through the looking glass…!!! Edward Speck and Josh Shack have planned yet another silly, surprising, playful Spring panto, free to all. Prepare for puns, princesses, passion and improbable plots with some of your favorite fairy tale and literary characters!

When:

Saturdays & Sundays, June 3-25 & August 12, 2017 2pm

Location:

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Country Beach Jam

Join us at the ocean’s edge on Saturday, June 24th, for the 2nd Annual Country Beach Jam, featuring:

Four great bands on a beachfront stage from 3PM to 10PM
An array of seafood, beach pizza and walk-up food stands
Fireworks show over the ocean at 10:15PM

It’s one sweet summer night of country music featuring The Ultimate Aldean Experience, Darren Bessette Band, Houston Bernard Band, and Annie Brobst Band. See the full schedule of performances below!

When:

Saturday, June 24, 2017 3-10pm

Location:

Salisbury Beach Stage

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Sail Boston transit Boston to Gloucester

Sail with the tall ships from Boston to Gloucester aboard the Schooner Ardelle!

Schooner Ardelle invites you on a unique adventure on the coast of the North Shore! Board the Ardelle as we depart the Sail Boston festival and sail back to Gloucester in company of the fleet of Tall Ships participating in the Tall Ships Challenge/Redez-vous Tall Ships Regatta race from Massachusetts to Canada. We will return to Gloucester in the afternoon, prior to the race start. Tickets are also available to join the Ardelle to watch the start of the tall ships regatta that afternoon! Passengers are responsible for arranging their own transportation to Boston and out of Gloucester. Trunnel tickets and Vouchers are not valid for this unique sailing experience.

When:

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Location:

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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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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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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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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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