Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces DCR’s Free Programming Across Massachusetts During April School Vacation Week 

Boston — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced its April school vacation programming schedule, offering 85 free recreational and educational activities for kids and families at 24 state parks and watersheds across Massachusetts. Taking place during Earth Week, the lineup includes community celebrations, environmental education programs, and activities such as sustainable gardening, guided hikes, animal encounters, and more, running from Saturday, April 18 through Sunday, April 26. These programs are designed to help families connect with nature, explore the outdoors, and enjoy Massachusetts’ state parks together. 

“After such a cold winter, we’re excited to invite Massachusetts back outside to enjoy our outdoor spaces and reconnect with nature,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “With Earth Week around the corner, it’s a great time to check out a DCR park in your area with friends and family.”  

“Spring in Massachusetts is one of the best times to get outdoors to play and learn” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “We’re excited to welcome kids and families with fun, hands-on ways to explore our parks together. No matter what part of the state you live in, there are free opportunities to help kids learn about and feel at home in our shared outdoor spaces and public lands.”  

“April school vacation is a great time for families to explore, learn, and spend time together,” said Education Secretary Dr. Stephen Zrike. “These free, interactive experiences help students stay engaged outside the classroom and allow families to experience the unique resources that make Massachusetts special.” 

To make it easier for families to participate, DCR is waiving parking fees at parks offering programming. In addition to vacation week programs, DCR will continue to provide regular programming, including self-guided hikes, and visitor centers will be open for people to enjoy exhibits, including the First Peoples, First Stewards Children’s Libraries located at several DCR properties. For details about staff-led programs and self-guided activities, visit DCR’s website. Additionally, DCR is offering adaptive programming during April vacation week through the Universal Access Program (UAP). 

Visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately for all locations and activities. Children are required to be accompanied by an adult for all activities. Many events are weather-dependent and subject to change or cancellation. Registration is required for select events. For a full list of all programming offered during school vacation week, as well as participation details and contact info for each activity, visit DCR’s website. 

Highlights from April break programming include: 

Boston Region:  

Growing Roxbury: Earth Day Community Celebration - Melnea A. Cass Recreation Center and Roxbury Heritage State Park, Roxbury 

Wednesday, April 22, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 

Celebrate Earth Day in Roxbury with a daylong series of events, including sustainable gardening, a healthy cooking workshop, yoga in nature and other youth-oriented activities. Stop by for a single event or stay for the whole day. Activities are great for all ages, free and scheduled through the day. Please register online prior to arriving. 

An Oasis for Birds - Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, East Boston 

Saturday, April 18, 8 – 9:30 a.m. 

Discover raptors and other specialty birds on a leisurely 1-mile walk over flat, relatively easy terrain at this bird watching hotspot. Great for adults and children age eight and up. Guests are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. Limited numbers of binoculars will be available to borrow. This is a multi-location activity. Guests interested in visiting more than one location will be responsible for their own transportation. Meet at DCR’s Belle Isle Marsh Reservation main parking lot, 1399 Bennington Street, East Boston. 

Central Region:  

Woodlands and Waterways - Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, Uxbridge

Saturday, April 18, 10 – 11 a.m. 

Go for a 1-mile walk along the banks of the Blackstone River and learn about the life that it supports. Guests will have the chance to look for signs of local wildlife and learn from staff about everything DCR does to protect this watershed. Appropriate for ages 6 and up. 

Walking with the Ancients - Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Princeton  

Tuesday, April 21, 1 – 2 p.m. 

Explore the forests of Wachusett Mountain with DCR staff and learn about some of the rarest and most ancient trees currently growing in Massachusetts. Wachusett Mountain has the only old-growth forest in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River. This experience will include a roughly 1-mile guided hike. Great for children ages 8 and up.  

North Region: 

The Seal Sensation Station - Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury 

Thursday, April 23, 10 – 11:30 a.m. 

Drop by for a quick look or stay a while to watch for harbor seals resting on the rocks along Salisbury Beach and learn about their behavior from DCR staff. Sightings are dependent on tide conditions and seal behavior. Spotting scopes are provided. Great for children ages 5 and up.  Meeting Location: After parking in Lot 1 by the Merrimack River, head right along the path. Look for spotting scopes and educational displays and follow signs near the bathrooms and river. 

Live Animal Presentation – Halibut Point State Park, Rockport 

Saturday, April 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Join the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team for an up-close look at native frogs and salamanders and learn about their behaviors and habitats. This engaging, family-friendly program is co-sponsored by the Friends of Halibut Point State Park and is open to all ages and abilities. Meet at the Visitor Center. 

South Region:  

Kids Mansion Tour - Borderland State Park, North Easton 

April 18, 19, 20, 24, & 25, 2 – 2:30 p.m. 

What would it be like to be a kid living in the Ames Mansion? Learn about the Ames family and the four children who grew up in this 116-year-old home. Explore this historic home on a free, guided tour. Walk-ins are welcome, but guests are encouraged to register online as space is limited.

Sew What! A Sewing and Mending Workshop - Fall River Heritage State Park, Fall River 

Saturday, April 25, 12:30 – 3 p.m. 

Join DCR and our partners with the Bristol Black Collective for a hands-on workshop experience. Participants can explore the techniques of stitching and visible mending while learning how to replace buttons, repair zippers, and more. Participants are encouraged to bring an item to repair. Meet in the Visitor Center.  

West Region:  

Earth Day Celebration and Fish Stocking - Hampton Ponds State Park, Westfield 

Wednesday, April 22, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Celebrate Earth Day with DCR and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife as Pequot Pond is stocked for the 2026 fishing season. Learn about fish stocking, meet fisheries experts, and get tips for fishing this year. Enjoy hands-on activities, ponding demonstrations, family-friendly programming, and a special appearance by Smokey Bear. 

Geocaching 101 - Mount Greylock State Reservation, Adams 

Tuesday, April 21, 1 – 2:30 p.m. 

Enter the world of geocaching, where outdoor explorers can hunt for hidden treasures using GPS devices and other methods. This outdoor activity combines hiking with a tech-aided treasure hunt. No experience is needed to enjoy this introductory experience. Participants will need a smartphone and have to download a free geocaching app in order to take part. Program participants will meet at the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center located at 165 Gould Road, Adams, MA.  

Water Supply Properties:  

Spring Puddles Stroll & Story - Wachusett Reservoir Watershed, Sterling

Friday, April 24, 10 – 11 a.m. 

Join a morning of outdoor adventure on this slow-paced walk to spot signs of wildlife and listen for frog calls. Along the way, participants will stop at a forested play area and read from the book The Noisy Puddle, which describes the magic of vernal pools. This walk is less than a mile in length on a trail accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. 

Creatures of the Forest - Wachusett Reservoir Watershed, Sterling 

Saturday, April 25, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 

Explore the different habitats and animals of the watershed on a guided sensory adventure for explorers of all abilities. Along this ¾ mile stroll, guests will encounter the telltale signs of forest life. The trail is both stroller and wheelchair accessible. 

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