Environmental

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! 

Wildwood Camp

Mass Audubon's Camp Wildwood in Rindge NH offers a wide variety of overnight programs for kids, teens and families!

Wildwood is a multidimensional summer program for young people ages 9 to 17 focusing on active exploration of the natural world. Wildwood also offers a special 3-day mini-camp for ages 7-8, and a family camp offering safe, quiet and natural settings for a unique family experience. Owned and operated by Mass Audubon, Wildwood is a place where friendships are formed and respect for the environment is forged. Campers arrive curious about nature and leave committed to the preservation of our natural resources.

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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.

Brimmer and May Summer Program

The Brimmer and May School offers a variety of exciting and enriching programs designed to meet your family's summer needs. At Brimmer and May, we offer campers a traditional day camp experience as well as the opportunity to explore specific areas of interest in one of our specialty camps.

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Smileland Pediatric Dental Care Waltham Malden 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

Friday, January 30

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

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 31

Superbowl of Birding 2026

The Superbowl of Birding 2026 is a unique competition conducted in Rockingham County, NH, and Essex County, Massachusetts
The Superbowl of Birding is a unique competition conducted in Rockingham County, NH, and Essex County, MA. During a 12-hour period, teams of birders of all ages and abilities seek to amass the greatest number of avian species, to earn the most points based on the rarity of the birds recorded. Teams...
5:00 am to 5:00 pm

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

Animal Tracks | Family Nature Series

Essex County Greenbelt teams up with North Shore Nature Programs for a wildlife hike in Ipswich Massachusetts!
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This event with North Shore Nature Programs is geared toward families of all ages who would like to learn about the signs and tracks that animals leave behind!  We will explore outdoors and look at tracks, chewed sticks, scat, nests, beaver constructions and more! Waterproof and warm...
10:00 am to 11:30 am

CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes

Walk through the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts with the Trustees under the full moon.
There is almost nothing more peaceful than a evening walk at the Crane Estate, and we would like to invite your family to join us for a unique hiking experience. With the full moon rising over the Atlantic, we’ll start with a sunset stroll along Crane Beach admiring this spectacle before heading...
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Sunday, February 1

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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