Litchfield Jazz Camp registration open
Litchfield, Conn.— Litchfield Jazz Camp registration for Summer 2024 is open and registration is filling fast.
Litchfield Jazz Camp (LJC) is hosted by The Frederick Gunn School, a private day and boarding school on a safe, beautiful campus in Washington, Conn. LJC welcomes musicians ages 13 and up for an opportunity to study with a first-rate faculty of performing, recording, and touring artist-educators. LJC is a place where all students feel comfortable, whatever their level, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic background. LJC embraces children of all learning styles. There are no grades and no competition – just great music, a lot of learning, camaraderie, and fun.
Those who register by January 31st enjoy substantial savings and benefits. Those who can pay do and those who can’t may qualify for need-based scholarship. Those who pay in full by January 31st are eligible for additional savings and change to win an Apple iPad or free music lesson. Additional discounts are available for groups and multi-week registrations plus a $100 discount for a sibling, parent, or grandparent of an enrolled camper who attends the same week. LJC has had grandparents as old as 75 attend with their grandkids. Registration and more information can be found online.
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Berkshire Community College Writing Workshop
Pittsfield— On Wednesdays, January 24th through February 28th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Berkshire Community College (BCC) presents a six-week workshop called “The Writer’s Elixir: A Creative Writing and Self-Publishing Master Class.”
Do you have an idea for a children’s book, short story, novel or e-book? Use this course as a guide to help you develop, write, revise, and find a home for your project. If you’ve always wanted to write but you aren’t sure where to begin, instructors will help you craft a concept from your own ideas or from a provided prompt. Participants will learn theories about why we write, grammar, elements of storytelling, fiction versus nonfiction, style, medium, process, revision, and finding a home for your work and/or self-publishing.
The classes are Wednesdays, January 24th through February 28th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at BCC’s main campus on West Street in Pittsfield. The cost for all six classes is $120. Registration and more information can be found online or by emailing communityed@berkshirecc.edu.
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Berkshire Museum announces STEAM programs for preschool aged children in collaboration with Berkshire County HeadStart
Pittsfield— From January through May, Berkshire Museum, in partnership with the Pittsfield Coordinator Family and Community Engagement Grant, funded by the Department of Early Education and Care, and in collaboration with Berkshire County HeadStart, presents STEAM programs for preschool-aged children.
This collaboration aims to bring enriching and accessible programming to families with preschool-aged children through the WeeMuse STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) program at no cost.
The program follows a theme-based approach where families engage in a variety of activities at five discovery stations, each representing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Each discovery station will include clear directions and a “What my child is learning” section, making concrete connections to The Department of Early Education and Care standards and curriculum guidelines. Families will receive a take-home packet at the end of each session with extension activities they can do at home.
The WeeMuse STEAM program runs January through May in Berkshire Museum’s second-floor classroom spaces. More information can be found online or by calling 413-443-7171.
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Flying Cloud Institute and Greenagers to host science and art program during February school break
South Egremont— From February 19th through the 22nd from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Flying Cloud Institute and Greenagers will once again hold a science and art exploration program during the February school break for children ages seven to 13 years at the April Hill Education and Conservation Center.
Participants will engage in science investigations, art projects, engineering challenges and nature explorations. In past programs, activities included investigating temperature by making thermometers, exploring endo- and exothermic reactions by designing a cold pack or heat pack, and learning about insulation through a heating and melting challenge. Students also hiked nature trails, played games, and crafted wooden birdhouses.
The program will be located at April Hill Education and Conservation Center, which serves as the headquarters for Greenagers, as well as a resource for community gatherings and education. The nearly 100-acre property has nature trails, vegetable gardens, orchards, pastures, and hayfields – and abuts the Appalachian Trail.
“Flying Cloud Institute is pleased to partner with Greenagers on another exciting adventure! We look forward to engaging youth with dynamic science and art activities to ignite their creativity,” says Maria Rundle, Executive Director.
The programming runs from February 19th through the 22nd from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the April Hill Education and Conservation Center on North Undermountain Road in South Egremont. The cost is $210 for the four-day program and financial aid is available. Registration and more information can be found online or by calling 413-645-3058.
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Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women launches new scholarship for women students
Massachusetts— The State Women’s Commission is proud to announce the launch of a new scholarship program which aims to support emerging leaders of the Commonwealth to continue their education journey to leadership and economic empowerment.
The mission of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) is to provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls across Massachusetts, and to promote and empower the women of the Commonwealth. Designed to support woman-identifying students already enrolled in a Massachusetts Public Higher Education Institution, scholarships will be available to help an individual complete their degree.
“This new program seeks to provide funding for women students, who may not be able to access scholarship and grant funding typically available to more traditional students, to continue their education and path to economic success,” said MCSW State Commissioner Denella Clark, serving as the Chair of the new Scholarship Committee.
The MCSW will award five women with a scholarship of $5000 each for the 2024-2025 academic year. Applicants must complete the online application and submit supporting materials no later than March 1st. Applicants must currently be enrolled in an accredited degree or certificate program in Massachusetts and have completed at least one year towards their degree. The funds from this scholarship will go towards tuition, fees, books, related supplies, and/or equipment for study. All funds awarded are provided by the MCSW Trust Fund. Application and more information can be found online.
The MCSW represents and recognizes all women, regardless of their age, race, color, creed, abilities, language, socio-economic status, immigration status, sexual orientation, or gender assigned at birth.
