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

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced its lineup of April school vacation week programming that is filled with safe and fun recreational opportunities for kids and families across the state. This year, DCR is offering 68 free, engaging and educational programs at 13 state parks and watersheds ranging from guided hikes to animal tracking, and craft making. Programs will run from Saturday, April 19, through Sunday, April 27, aiming to inspire kids to get outside and explore Massachusetts’s beautiful State Parks system.   

“Our schools may be closed for the week, but our DCR park staff are offering fun and creative free programming that allows our kids to continue to learn while exploring our beautiful state parks,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I’m thrilled DCR is once again providing Massachusetts families with an affordable and safe way to keep kids engaged during April vacation.”

“DCR parks are fantastic places to learn about and experience nature and our ecosystem,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This year, we’re connecting kids with cool opportunities like exploring Fall River Heritage State Park with a scavenger hunt; learning about frogs and salamanders at Halibut Point; or to looking for fish in Waquoit Bay. Learning from DCR’s expert interpreters is an excellent way to spend your April school vacation.”

“Our state parks serve as outdoor classrooms and getting outside during April school vacation week is a great way to teach kids about the natural world,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We hope this year’s fun and educational programs will inspire young and curious minds to explore our incredible natural resources. Our park interpreters are excited to welcome the next generation of environmental stewards to parks across Massachusetts for our free school vacation week programming.” 

"School vacation week is a valuable time for families to reconnect, explore, and learn together outside the classroom," said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. "We’re thrilled DCR is offering such a wide range of activities to help spark curiosity, build stronger bonds, and deepen our appreciation for the State Parks system.”

To ensure all families and kids can partake in the fun, 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. For details about staff-led programs and self-guided activities, visit DCR’s DCR's website. Additionally, DCR is offering adaptive programming during April vacation week. 

DCR will close out April vacation week by hosting the 19th annual Park Serve Day on Saturday, April 26. DCR holds Park Serve Day annually, in conjunction with Earth Week, and invites volunteers to help clean coastlines, clear trails, pick up litter, plant flowers, or take part in other restorative projects to help prepare their favorite state park for the busy summer and spring seasons ahead. This year, the agency will hold 60 clean-up and beautification events at 40 parks across the state. To participate in a Park Serve Day event, register on DCR’s DCR's website. 

DCR is encouraging participants to tweet, post, and tag photos on social media using @MassDCR. DCR is promoting this year’s April break programming with engaging and fun graphics on its social media channels, including X (Twitter), Instagram and Threads. For a full list of all programming offered during school vacation week, visit DCR’s website.

Highlights from next week’s April break programming include: 

BOSTON REGION

Paul Revere’s Ride to Revolution: A Commemoration of Revere’s Legendary Departure from Boston

Friday, April 18, at 5:30 – 10 p.m. 
Various locations, all elements FREE

Honor the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride with a variety of events happening at the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Langone Park, the Charlestown Navy Yard, USS Constitution, the USS Constitution Museum, Boston Harbor and Charlestown’s City Square throughout the evening. For a complete listing of the evening’s activities, see Paul Rvere's Ride on the National Parks of Boston website. 

 
Encounter Paul and Rachel Revere in their home as he prepares to depart on his Midnight Ride. Tour the museum’s Visitor Center, where museum staff will share the full story of Revere’s adventures on April 18th, 1775. Then join in as the evening progresses, gather in North Square to witness Revere’s departure from his home, and follow in his footsteps as he makes his way stealthily to the waterfront.

DCR is hosting this event in partnership with the Paul Revere House, Boston Harbor Now, National Park Service, Charlestown Historical Society,  

NORTH REGION

Great Stone Dam Walking Tour at Lawrence Heritage State Park, 1 Jackson St., Lawrence

Wednesday, April 23, 10 – 11:30 a.m.   
 

History flows on this walking tour to the Great Stone Dam, once the largest in the world! Discover how waterpower propelled Lawrence’s textile industry onto the world stage -  light rain or shine. Dress for the weather; walk is approximately 1.5 miles. Best for ages 8 and up, children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Visitor Center. For more information, please contact (978) 794-1655.    

Creature Feature: Live Animal Presentation at Halibut Point State Park, 4 Gott Ave., Rockport 

Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.   

Live Frogs & Salamanders, our vernal pond ambassadors, will visit Halibut Point with the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team. Get up close to these animals and learn about their behaviors and habitats. This event is co-sponsored with Friends of Halibut Point State Park and is great for all ages. Please meet at the Visitor Center.   

SOUTH REGION                       

Finding Flounder at Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 131 Waquoit Highway, East Falmouth

Monday, April 21 

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: ages Preschool/K 

1 – 2 p.m.: ages 6 and up

The estuary is a nursery for many creatures, including a variety of fish. We’ll use dipnets to see what young fish we can find and then make a wiggly fish to take home. This event will take place rain or shine. Please bring/ wear shoes/boots that can get wet.

Scavenger Hunts and Word Games at Fall River Heritage State Park, 100 Davol St., Fall River

Sunday, April 20 - Saturday, April 26, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  

Fall River is rich with history. These scavenger hunts and word games put you on the path to discovering the people and stories that are the fabric of the community. Meet inside the Visitor Center. Rain or shine. Great for all ages!  

WEST REGION 

Buildwave: A hands-on building game! at Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls

Tuesday, April 22, 11 a.m.—12 p.m.  

Have fun crafting and building! The event is for families with children ages 5 and up, accompanied by an adult. Please call the Carnegie Library 413-863-3214 to register your child. This program is sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. Join us in the Great Hall.   

EGGS-ellent Nature Scavenger Hunt! at Mount Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Rd., Lanesborough   
Sunday, April 20, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.     

Join us for an adventurous "seek and find" outdoor quest that appeals to all ages and abilities. Follow the path of EGGS in search of the hidden treasure. A fun way to explore springtime features at scenic Mount Greylock. The program will run for two hours. Great for all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult.  

CENTRAL REGION  

Kidleidoscope at Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, 287 Oak St., Uxbridge  
Thursday, April 24, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.  

Join us for Kidleidoscope! We will read a short book, followed by an activity, and a kid-friendly craft related to the story. For ages 3-6, must be accompanied by an adult. Siblings are welcome.  

Salt Sleuth Community Science at Wachusett Reservoir, 180 Beaman St., West Boylston

Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

Become a Salt Sleuth to do freshwater forensics! Collect a water sample from any body of water during Earth Day Week. Bring the water sample with you or pick up a sampling kit at the Wachusett Reservoir Headquarters, 180 Beaman St., West Boylston, to contribute valuable data to study how increasing chloride levels have been documented from road salt in the Wachusett Reservoir Watershed. DCR Environmental Quality Staff will test for conductivity, map the results, and demonstrate salt measurement techniques. All ages are welcome. Dogs are not allowed. For additional information, please call 617-352-4044 or email  Kathryn.Parent@mass.gov.  

###