Summer learning abounds in Blackstone Valley.

School's out for summer, but that doesn't mean the learning stops. The Blackstone Valley is full of ways for students of all ages to explore new worlds. Before the "I'm boooored" whines start, check out the following activities:

Read for fun. The Simon Fairfield Public Library in Douglas, the Uxbridge Public Library and the Whitinsville Social Library are offering exciting vacation activities for armchair travelers through Going Places @ Your Library, the 2005 Statewide Summer Library Adventure. Students can log their summer reading, attend performances and special events, and even win prizes. Most programs are free.

Douglas Public Library kicks off its summer program on July 13 at 10:30 a.m. with "The Places You'll Go", award-winning storyteller Davis Bates exploring the world in story and song. Family events will take place each Wednesday morning through August 17. Make tie-dye T-shirts, have a Hawaiian luau or go on a treasure hunt. On August 3 at 10:30 Todd "Mr. Magic" Migliacci will perform a magic show.

Want to learn how to draw cartoon characters or enjoy family movies and Bingo? Stop by the Uxbridge Public Library on Thursday evenings between July 14 and August 4. In addition to these free programs and story times, the library hosts a Make Your Own Bear workshop on July 11, 4-7 p.m. for $12 per child, and Make a 3-D Race Car on July 27, 3 - 4:30 p.m. for $1 per person.

Whitinsville Social Library continues its preschool story time on Mondays at 11 a.m. and PajamaRama Mondays at 7 p.m. Crafts for ages 5 to 15 will be held on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. The library will be going places like River Bend Farm on August 10 at 1 p.m. and West Hill Dam on August 19, 6 - 8 p.m. for Lewis and Clark Discovery Program campfire and story. Storytellers, animal programs, and Ed the Wizard will perform at the library in July. Call 508-234-2151 or stop by for a complete schedule.

Visit a museum. Libraries not only want you to visit new places through reading; they also want you to visit new places. Patrons may borrow passes for free or discounted admission to museums. Douglas Library has passes available for Southwick Zoo, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Mystic Aquarium, and Boston Children's Museum. Uxbridge offers Davis' Farmland and MegaMaze, EcoTarium, Mystic Seaport, Providence Children's Museum, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Salem Witch Museum, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, and Worcester Art Museum. Whitinsville provides passes for Roger Williams Park Zoo, EcoTarium, Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester Art Museum, and Tower Hill Botanical Garden.

The Willard House and Clock Museum in Grafton combines reading and museum-going in one with "Once Upon a Time", a free summer story hour series for children ages two to five. The program runs Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. through August 31. Advance registration is required. To register, call 508-839-3500.

Discover the river. Located at a former dairy farm on the banks of the Blackstone River and Canal, River Bend Farm in Uxbridge offers interpretive programs, exhibits, canoeing and kayaking, and hiking trails. Special summer programs include free Concerts on the Canal on Sundays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. beginning June 19, and Family Frolics natural and cultural history activities for all ages on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For further information call 508-278-7604.

West Hill Park in Uxbridge includes five miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Enjoy the natural resources along with a cook-out and swim in Harrington Pool, a popular beach for families. The park rangers offer a variety of programs from campfires to nature expeditions. Call 508-278-2511 for the latest schedule.

Who can be bored with so many things to do right here? This summer take a mind trip. It's surprising what you can learn.

"Focus on Education" July 2005
Susan Spencer, Director
Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation

Read previous Focus on Education articles...

Six years of focusing on education. (November 2006)
Teachers apply lessons to the workplace in externships. (October 2006)
Teachers tour growing Blackstone Valley industries. (November 2005)
Summer learning abounds in Blackstone Valley. (July 2005)
Teachers tour growing Blackstone Valley industries. (April 2005)
Preparing for the future while living in the present. (March 2005)
Local hero gives charge to youth leadership class. (December 2004)
Externships provide on-the-job training. (September 2004)
Interns reflect on career experiences. (May 2004)
Creative programs thrive with support from Education Foundation grants. (May 2003)
Business mentors see their shadow on job shadow day. (February 2003)
Teacher learns on the job in business externship. (August 2002)
Summer program teaches math through arts. (July 2002)
Junior Rangers learn nature know-how in area parks. (June 2002)
Leadership Blackstone Valley graduates ready to create the future. (May 2002)
State's schools face looming teacher shortage. (April 2002)
Art program bridges subjects, learning styles, and community. (March 2002)
Students shadow career mentors on Groundhog Job Shadow Day. (February 2002)
Parent involvement the key to student success. (October 2001)

Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
110 Church St.
Whitinsville, MA 01588-1442
Phone: 508.234.9090
Fax: 508.234.5152
administrator@blackstonevalley.org
An Affiliate of the Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce
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