Kids' Calendar
August 31-September 5 - Chatham
Columbia County Fair invites you to “Be a Kid Again” as it kicks off another season of animals, games, rides, entertainment food and attractions, always over Labor Day weekend. Tickets/$10 at gate, $12 on Sunday, under 12 free; Wednesday 3 p.m.-11 p.m.; Thursday - Monday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Now - September 18 - Pittsfield
Berkshire Museum presents its latest exhibit Geckos:Tails to Toepads. Visitors may get up close to 14 species of geckos in their natural habitats. Admission/ adults, $13; ages 3 - 18, $6; under 3, free.
Take Me Out to the Golf Course
by Edward Tivnan
Recent surveys reveal that new golfers are exiting the game as fast as they entered, particularly women and kids. Even longtime golf fanatics are putting their clubs into the garage at an alarming rate, mainly due to the frustrations and downright humiliation of not being able to hit that little, stationary ball far and straight every single time.
Here’s the only golf tip you need to know that will improve your enjoyment of the game: Take Lessons. If Tiger Woods needs a “swing coach,” then any struggling and frustrated golfer who will not spend the price of a new high-tech driver for lessons from a teaching professional deserves his misery. And if you have kids or grandkids you’d like to get onto the course, I have a more cost-effective solution. In fact, how does FREE sound to you—as in, a week of free golf lessons? With a top teaching professional. At the region’s most beautiful practice range, where they have little pyramids of golf balls, just like the PGA Tour.
For more than 20 years, the Columbia Golf & Country Club, a private course on Rt. 217 in Claverack, NY, has offered a week-long Junior Golf Program for kids aged 5 to 16. All you have to do is sign up in advance and get the kids to club at 8 a.m., then pick them up at 10. Mark Levesque, Columbia’s head pro, and his assistants will take it from there, introducing the kids to the game of golf, from the fundamentals of the swing to course etiquette.
“The goal is to make it fun in creative ways—with games and contests,” explains Levesque, a Lenox native who has served as a teaching pro at a number of the region’s best-known courses—Cranwell Resort, Pittsfield’s Skyline Country Club, Egremont Country Club, Great Barrington’s Wyantenuck. In 2005, he moved across the state line to Columbia. To spark his students’ competitive fires, he divides the kids into teams, Yankees v. Red Sox, for example, then challenges them to “step up to the plate” and hit the ball between pre-determined targets to earn a run for their team; hitting it “out of bounds” is an out. On the putting green, the kids play a “survivor contest,” trying to get their ball closest to the hole.
As the kids get more comfortable hitting balls, Levesque gets them onto a mini golf course set up on the practice range—only 50 yards to a hole that is much larger than the standard 4.25 inch version. On the final day of the clinic, there is an afternoon “parent-child tournament,” when the kids get the opportunity to play on the 6,200 yard Columbia course. “We have a time limit of one hour and 45 minutes,” says Levesque, “and then we have a huge barbecue.”
The clinic’s prime emphasis is getting kids addicted to the joys of golf. (They will have the rest of their lives to learn the pain and cruelties of the game.) And Levesque has plenty of evidence that the program works. Last summer, 55 kids participated—more than twice the number from the year before. Not only do many kids return every summer, but alumni have become successful high school and junior golfers in the area; some are preparing for careers in the golf business. Levesque points proudly to one of the camp’s grads, Stephanie Bednar (left), who was the number one player on the Hudson High golf team her senior year. She won Columbia’s Ladies’ championship in 2008 and 2009, the same year she was “player of the year” in the 16-18 group in the PGA’s Junior Program for Northeast New York. That kind of play earned Stephanie a golf scholarship at Central Connecticut State University, where she just finished her sophomore year. “I still take regular lessons from Mark,” says Stephanie, who will be assisting Levesque with the Junior program this summer.
“The clinic got me hooked on golf,” recalls Kevin Keyser, who began the summer program at 8 years old at the suggestion of an uncle who was a member of the club. As soon as that first week was over, Kevin proceeded to turn his buddies onto hitting the little ball so he would have someone to play with. “My parents would drop me off at the course at nine in the morning and pick me up at 6:30 p.m.,” says Keyser, who played on the golf team at Hudson High School and is now a senior in the “professional golf management program” at SUNY Delhi, where he is preparing for a career as a golf pro. He will also be working with the junior golfers this summer.
Why is this program free? “It always has been,” according to Levesque. But the Columbia pro also has his eye on the future: “If kids fall in love with golf, they’ll keep playing and get their friends interested, and then maybe their parents will want to play,” says the pro, who is now mapping out a grand strategy to take his program into public school systems in the area. His goal: to reverse those numbers of people quitting the game he loves. 
Junior Golf Program Columbia Golf & Country Club
July 11-18, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
To enroll: 518 851-9894 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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Posted by Marilyn Bethany on 06/07/11 at 05:06 PM • Permalink
Plenty of Family Fun at Pittsfield’s 250th Anniversary Kickoff
April 29 and 30, May 1
The city of Pittsfield kicks off a celebration of its 250th birthday with a weekend full of family friendly events, most of them free. The activities start at noon on Friday with an Arbor Day Celebration at Park Square. Later in the evening, the official opening ceremonies will be held in front of city hall and include lots of music and singing. Continue to dance into the night with your choice of genres: country music with County Line band at South Church, 110 South Street; classic rock with DJ John Sottile at the Masonic Temple on South Street; or the dance band at United Cerebral Palsy benefit at Crowne Plaza.
Saturday’s events include a birthday party at Berkshire Museum (see entry on Kids’ page), historic exhibits and a screening of the film Glory. On Sunday, enjoy the Baby Animals program at Hancock Shaker Village from 10 a.m. to noon for free. The weekend ends with the Boston Symphony Orchestra presenting Tanglewood Music Center Fellows in a special chamber music concert at the Colonial Theatre. For a comprehensive list of events and times, visit the event website.
Pittsfield 250
Free
Downtown Pittsfield, MA
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Posted by Taitia Shelow on 04/26/11 at 09:00 PM • Permalink
Take Youngsters on a Spring Walk at Hawthorne Valley
April 29 @ 8 - 9:15 a.m.
Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School kindergarten welcomes parents and children age 3-6 to join them on a Spring Morning Walk through forest, field and farm. Meet the early childhood teachers and experience the extraordinary beauty of the 400-acre campus in the Harlemville section of Ghent. Look for signs of spring and visit the baby animals.
Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School
Free
330 Couty Route 21C
Ghent, NY
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Posted by Taitia Shelow on 04/26/11 at 07:02 PM • Permalink
Rockwell Museum Family Festival Follows Animation Process
April 30 @ 1 to 4 p.m.
Join illustrator Elwood H. Smith and animator Brian Hoard for Family Festival Day Moving Pictures! The Art of Animation with Elwood Smith and Brian Hoard, a fascinating look at their process of bringing drawings to life. Afterwards, you have the chance to create simple animations of your own.
Hatman Serenade, Green Monkeys and Sweet Dreams are just some of the wild collaborative productions that Smith and Hoard will share. The event is free with museum admission.
Norman Rockwell Museum
Admission $15 adults, $13.50 seniors, $10 college students, $5 ages 6 to 18, free for kids 5 and under
9 Route 183
Stockbridge, MA
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Posted by Taitia Shelow on 04/26/11 at 06:03 PM • Permalink
Museum Celebrates Pittsfield’s 250th with Family Day
April 30 @ 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
As part of the kickoff weekend celebrating the 250th anniversary of Pittsfield, Saturday is a Family Day at Berkshire Museum, featuring free admission all day for Berkshire County residents. Popular family entertainer David Grover will perform sets at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with birthday cake available in between, at approximately 2 p.m. Face painting will also be part of the fun between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
On display at the museum are exhibitions like Pittsfield 250, featuring artwork and artifacts telling the colorful history of Pittsfield; and MC Escher: Seeing the Unseen, a collection of artwork and ephemera from throughout the career of the eminently popular artist, including preparatory sketches, animations of prints, and interactive stations. Pittsfield 250 is on view through May 8; MC Escher: Seeing the Unseen is on view through May 22.
Berkshire Museum
Admission free for Berkshire County residents and museum members
$13 adults, $6 children 3 - 18, under 3 free
39 South Street
Pittsfield, MA
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Posted by Taitia Shelow on 04/26/11 at 05:39 PM • Permalink
Hansel and Gretel Wander into the Woods of Rhinebeck
April 30, May 7 @ 11 a.m.
Follow the brother and sister duo Hansel and Gretel into the woods where they encounter all sorts of odd creatures - among them an arrogant troll who fiercely guards his little wooden bridge, a talking owl, a forest sprite and two hobgoblins in the service of the nasty (and hilarious) witch. Cheer them on as Gretel outwits the evil witch and sets free the children she has captured and turned into cookies (including Hansel).
The lively tale is performed by Kids on Stage, The CENTER’s theater workshop program and is part of their Saturday Morning Family Series. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 845.876.3080. On the day of the show, tickets are sold at the door only, one hour prior to event.
The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
$7 children, $9 adults
661 Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
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Posted by Taitia Shelow on 04/26/11 at 05:26 PM • Permalink
The Frog Prince Hops Into Pittsfield
April 22, 23, 24, 30 and May 1, 14, 15 @ 2 p.m.
NEW STAGE Performing Arts Center (formerly Castle Hill Theater Co.) is staging the family musical The Frog Prince. Written by Stan Gill and Cindy Bright and directed by Laurie Ellington, the production tells the classic story of never judging a book by its cover through the use of catchy songs, thrilling action and a colorful cast of characters, including a fussy king, a spunky and spoiled princess, an amusing witch, an energetic troubadour, and, of course, the royal amphibian of the title.
NEW Stage Performing Arts Center
$7 kids, $9 adults
55 North St.
Pittsfield, MA
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Posted by Taitia Shelow on 04/26/11 at 05:20 PM • Permalink
Baby Animals Galore at Hancock Shaker Village
April 16 - May 8 @ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily
Hancock Shaker Village is opening for the season, and at this time of year the “awwwww” factor is at its highest, with baby animals galore - lambs, piglets, calves, goats, ducklings, and chicks - arriving at the historic Round Stone Barn. During HSV’s Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm spring celebration, visitors can meet and greet the baby animals and participate in farm chores, such as helping to feed the animals and to save seeds. They may also participate in fun Shaker-themed craft activities, including basket weaving, making and decorating seed packets, and weaving on a small loom.
Behind-the-Scenes Farm Tours are available daily at 2 p.m. with additional 10 a.m. tours scheduled for weekends and during school vacation. Families can get up close and personal with the animals on these private guided tours, which include special access to the newborns, helping at feeding time, gift bags with a variety of toys and games from the Village Store, plus a group photo to commemorate the visit.
Hancock Shaker Village
Admission: $17 adults, $8 ages 13-17, $4 ages 7-12, free age 6 and under
Behind-the-scenes tours $27 per person, $24 members
34 Lebanon Mountain Road
Hancock, MA
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Posted by Taitia Shelow on 04/26/11 at 05:15 PM • Permalink
Sign Up Now for Art Omi Summer Camps
July and August
Spring is still around the corner but it’s all ready time to start thinking about summer camps, since the popular ones fill up fast. One of those popular camps is Camp Omi, held at The Fields Sculpture Park and visitor’s center on the grounds of Art Omi in Ghent.
Young artists are able to draw inspiration from the sculpture park and its natural surroundings. Younger children (ages 5 to 12) explore the topics: art studio, sculpture shop, music and movement, and field studies. They also swim daily and participate in studio visits with international artists-in-residence.
A separate camp is offered for teens (13 to 18) that focuses on drawing and painting, ceramics, photography, and video and creative writing in small group settings alongside experienced instructors. Other activities include swimming, sketching and sculpture studies in The Fields, and they, too, partake in studio visits with international artists-in-residence.
The camp for children runs in two week sessions, Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There are three different sessions: June 20–July 1; July 5–15 or July 18-29. The teen camp runs one week only, August 1-5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register or for more information, contact Sasha Sicurella by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit their website, where you can download registration forms and scholarship applications.
Art Omi Summer Camps
$500/session, $275/Week
1405 County Route 22
Ghent, NY
For additional current activities for Kids, click here.
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Posted by Taitia Shelow on 04/26/11 at 05:10 PM • Permalink
Children’s Theater Workshop Accepting Applications
Ongoing
If you have a child who’s interested in musical theater, consider sending them to this year’s Musical Theatre Workshop run by Edgar Acevedo under the auspices of the Mac-Haydn, Chatham’s famous theater in the round. For 24 years, local elementary school teacher and theater buff Acevedo and his staff of professional directors, choreographers, and vocal instructors have been welcoming kids from ages 6 to 16 to the Chatham Fairgrounds for an energetic summer camp experience.
Kids explore all aspects of musical theater in age-appropriate groups: acting, singing, dance, theater games and improvisation are all on the menu. The youngest actors perform in musicals adapted for their age based on familiar children’s stories such as Stone Soup and The Three Little Pigs. Students ages 9 to 16 are cast in two musicals and receive training in singing, dancing, and acting. Previous musical productions include: Seussical Jr. and The Pirates of Penzance.
The 6 to 9 age group meets July 5 to July 28, with classes Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Classes for ages 9 through 16 will meet July 5 to August 8, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (2 p.m. on Thursday). Enrollment is limited; to apply contact Acevedo by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Mac-Haydn Children’s Musical Theatre Workshop
Tuition $450
Chatham Fairgrounds
Route 203
Chatham, NY
For additional current activities for Kids, click here.
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Posted by Taitia Shelow on 04/26/11 at 05:05 PM • Permalink
