Camping & Chinese Camp | ArtBeat | World Cup Final at Central

First a quick announcement. This summer I've been working with Amira from Backyard Cambridge on a newsletter about our beloved Cambridge. It's meant for people like me or you who want to know what's going on in town but don't have a lot of time, but also read by city councillors, heads of advocacy groups, and other influencers.

You might have a friend or neighbor who, every time you talk to them you learn a bunch about what's going on (that's you Nancy :). This newsletter is meant to be like them, giving you insider info or updates on what's important. Like did you know there's a challenger to Mike Capuano our multi-year Italian American congressman: a younger African-American woman from Dorchester that's being compared to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (who won in the Bronx)? You can sign up for the newsletter or just let me know.

Okay a confession: I love the idea of camping out in beautiful nature, but it sounds like a lot of work, and my husband feels the same, so we've never done it with our kids.

A few families from MLK School and nearby schools went camping at Nickerson State Park on the Cape. I heard it worked so well that one family that never camped actually went back on their own to camp again! So I was curious to learn more. :)

One of the moms Christina was kind enough to write about her experience below:

Families will enjoy Nickerson State Park in Brewster MA on Cape Cod. Nickerson offers tent camping, RV hookups, and even "yurts" - free standing tents with bunks inside, as well as bathrooms and showers. (Becca: yes on bathrooms and showers! :)

The park is well-kept with good vegetation to offer privacy between campsites. Nickerson offers a Nature Center that frequently presents events. A fun, shady playground is located near a central building of showers close to Areas 2, 3 and 4.

Nickerson also has lovely hiking trails, biking trails, and neat "kettle ponds" that offer freshwater swimming, fishing and boating, and also a public "day use" beach for those stopping by without camping. There is a launch to put in small motorboats (see website for the limitation on size). Those seeking to venture beyond the park can find beaches close by (by car).

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/masstravel/10857199725

Bike enthusiasts can ride right from the Nickerson entrance to the Cape Cod Rail (CCR) trail. A shorter bike ride east on the CCR trail will take you to Orleans where there is an ice cream shop right off the bike trail. A longer ride east (and north) will take you all the way to Provincetown.

For rainy days, Orleans Bowling Center offers candlepin bowling, some arcade games, and a sports bar right off the Rt 6 exit. Supplies and refreshments are also close to the park, right off Rt 6 with a Shaws, CVS.

Check out well-regarded local businesses and restaurants too: Jo-Mama's for Bagels and coffee; Homeport Restaurant for a homestyle breakfast; Friends' Marketplace; Orleans Whole Food Store (local shop).

Our family enjoyed our stay at Nickerson and we look forward to returning!

Thanks Christina for sharing! I hope with showers and yurts, maybe we'll even make it out there. :) If you have summer experience you want to share, let me know!

In other news, I visited our Chinese Summer Camp location right next to YMCA in Central Square yesterday morning along with Teresa the director. We're excited to start the Chinese school for the last 2 weeks of summer! There will be some fun cooking classes, and more emphasis on speaking Chinese this year. :)

Last but not least, I'm thinking of checking out the City as a Classroom at the MIT Media Lab this Sunday. Let me know if you're interested.

Weekend Events

Free BOOTCAMP at Raymond Park

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Thursday, 6:30pm, Raymond Park

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Saturday, 10am, DCR Neponset Park, Dorchester

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Saturday, 10am, WGBH Studios, Boston

Dads and Kids at the Park

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Saturday, 10am, Andrew Peabody School

ArtBeat 2018

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Saturday, 11am, Davis Square, Somerville

Magic 106.7 Family Film Festival

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Saturday, 6pm, Prudential Center (South Garden), Boston

City as Classroom, City as Laboratory

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Sunday, 9am, MIT Media Lab, Cambridge

World Cup Final match at the Central Flea!

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Sunday, 11am, University Park, Cambridge

Family Adventures: Charles River Day

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Saturday 7/21, 10am, Community Boating

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Sunday 7/22, 11am, University Park, Cambridge

Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour

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Friday 7/27, 1pm - 7/29