It’s Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer! With a week of warm weather behind us and more to come, we are excited to enjoy programs across the state. 

Farm fun is aplenty this weekend! At The FARM Institute on Martha’s Vineyard, join us in the farm kitchen to kick off the unofficial start of summer and whip up your own ice cream! Participants will tackle every step of the ice cream making process, from mixing the cream and sugar to churning the base and will come away with a sweet reward for their hard work. At Powisset Farm in Dover, kids can be dropped off for Powisset Pals and enjoy a spring day with a guided hike led by author, Mia Wenjen, and a cooking class with Chef Maria. At Weir River Farm in Hingham, enjoy a Sheep Stroll. 

Take to the woods! At Leatherbee Woods in West Roxbury, we’re looking to build a group of volunteers who want to learn phenology, the study of seasonal changes in plants and wildlife, and spend time in this Urban Wild noticing how things change over time. At Whitney and Thayer Woods in Hingham, join the Trustees for a Beginner Bird Walk. Our guide will introduce you to the fundamentals of birding while leading you through parts of this 834-acre forest. This hike is geared towards beginners but all are welcome! 

It’s always the perfect weekend to take a tour. Whether it’s the Mohicans, Missionaries and Migrating Colonists: Guided Tour at The Mission House in Stockbridge, Designing for Delight: A Garden Tour of Naumkeag in Stockbridge, or the Castle Hill Tour: Highlights on the Hill, a leisurely tour of the Castle Hill grounds from our comfy tour cart. Find the right tour for you! 

If you’d like to get moving, join the Barn to Run Trail Race at Powisset Farm. The run includes running the trails of the farm and through Noanet Woodlands. There are four race distances to choose from and your entry fee includes a great race on a well-marked course, plus swag, race photos, awards for the top performers, a chance for giveaways and more.