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Family Programs Committee

The Family Programs Committee schedules adventures in western Massachusetts every month throughout the year. These adventures include family friendly hikes, experiential outdoor activities that teach outdoor skills and conservation concepts, seasonal crafts and games, camping, family nights and much more. We strive to instill confidence, collaboration, understanding and an appreciation of the outdoors so as to foster, respect and stewardship of our planet and all living things.
Our focus is to get everyone outdoors. To that end we are experienced family leaders and we work hard to accommodate your needs, meeting you where you are in your outdoor experience.
Children of all ages and their families (including grandparents) are invited to join us. AMC requires that a parent/guardian (18 years of age and over) attend with children at all events.
We hope you'll join us in one of the many events listed on this site. Suggestions for additional events to add to the current schedule are welcome.

StoryWalk®

We also work with other organizations to increase our reach and ability to offer interesting programs for families. An example of this kind of collaboration is the ongoing, self-guided StoryWalk® available year round at AMC Noble View Outdoor Center, in Russell, MA. The story changes each month and often reflects a nature theme. A Storywalk® offers families an active outdoor reading experience, where a children's picture book has been deconstructed and then placed page by page along a path. Families walk, read and talk their way through the story. To access the book, hike behind the Noble View barn and follow the signs. No registration is required.
The AMC Western MA Family Programs Committee is thankful for a collaboration with the Hilltown Family Center which has sponsored the Storywalk® through a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. The Storywalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.

Upcoming Activities

Click or tap on the Register links to learn more and/or register for activities.

Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature Women's Retreat

Location: Russell, MA
Date: 06‑Sep‑2025
Register »
Please join the AMC Western MA Chapter's Fourth Annual Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature, women's only retreat. We have scheduled a variety of traditional and non-traditional outdoor pursuits in the hope of attracting women to the joy and rejuvenation of the outdoors. Some of the planned activities include forest bathing, watercolor painting, bird walking, yoga, plant/tree identification, and hiking, as well as a campfire with music. Refer to the registration page for more information.
This is a women-only event that uses an inclusive definition of women. We respectfully welcome all women including non-binary, gender non-conforming, trans-women and individuals who identify as a woman as the best expression of themselves.
Affinity activities are designed for a specific audience, but everyone is welcome. If you do not identify with the specified group, we trust that you have reviewed our allyship criteria, have done your due diligence to educate yourself, and have committed to abide by our Code of Conduct. If you have questions, please contact the trip leader(s) by emailing them for more information.

Yoga Flow With Heidi

Location: Russell, MA
Date: 13‑Sep‑2025
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This session of gentle and flowing yoga on the side of Russell Mountain is designed for all ages and abilities. While enjoying the view of the Pioneer Valley and the mountain breeze, Heidi Taberman will guide us in relaxation, breathing and de-stressing movement to help the body and the mind. Bring a mat or blanket and water.
You are invited to stay after the program and picnic or hike our 12 miles of forest trails.

Eyes to the Skies

Location: Russell, MA
Date: 20‑Sep‑2025
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With a waxing crescent moon aglow, and Saturn at its brightest, join the Russell Public Library, AMC Western MA Outings, and the Springfield Naturalist Club to behold the wonders of the early fall sky using the new telescope from the library of things. This event will take place from 6:30-8:30 behind the Russell Public Library. Families are invited to join a guided reading of the book "Look Up," on the Library's StoryWalk® beginning at 6:30 (sponsored by the Hilltown Family Center), as well as other in the dark activities for kids. There will be popcorn and cider for all.
Wear layers, bring a headlamp or flashlight, folding chair and or a blanket. Mostly cloudy, or rainy conditions will cancel.

Activity Schedule

All activities are subject to cancellation due to poor weather conditions. Check activities on outdoors.org for up-to-the-minute additions not yet shown here. Not all activities may be posted yet.
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