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Merrimack Valley Magazine

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Countdown to Paradise

July 25, 2020 by Theresa Park

A Visit to The Maldives

These days, we can only scratch our travel yearnings vicariously, perhaps by flipping through National Geographic or pining over old Instagram posts. Gone are the days of locking in travel plans and counting down the days until our passport is stamped, marking our entry into a new country. For now, we must default to armchair travel, as underwhelming and imperfect as it may be.

Fortunately for me, I was able to take a trip that was satisfying enough to tide me over through the pandemic. In November 2019, I flew from Boston to Doha, Qatar, to Male in the Maldives to begin a seven-day voyage through the islands. The Maldives is a place that conjured up visions for me of bungalows perched above crystal-clear cerulean water. Truth be told, it’s at least as beautiful as I imagined. 

 

The Maldives came to my attention when I watched the documentary “The Island President.” Released in 2011, it is about then-President Mohamed Nasheed, who raised the alarm that his country will be destroyed in a matter of decades. He was deposed in what he characterized as a coup shortly after the movie was released. His presidency lasted over three years, but the documentary immortalized the single biggest challenge facing the country — this nation of 1190 islands in the north-central Indian Ocean is sitting, on average, about 4 feet above sea level. It has a population of about 540,000 according to WorldPopulationReview.com. According to a 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, it is projected that nearly the entire country will be destroyed by rising sea levels by the middle of this century. 

“On the boat, with no internet access, time moved at different speed and was measured in a different way. Instead of watches, we marked its passage with a bunch of bananas, fully green at the start of our trip and ripe at the end.” Photos by Mohamed Ahmed and Moulay Alaoui Mouayd.

Despite this less-then-optimistic outlook, the picture-perfect setting inspires romantic getaways and far-flung vacation fantasies. It’s also a destination for spotting whale sharks and long-distance ocean swimming (did you know that was a hobby?). While New Englanders are fortunate to be within relatively short flying distance of the Yucatan or the Bahamas, the Maldives, with its chain of atolls, beckons like a South Asian Shangri-La. It’s a destination you must really want to visit as it requires 20-plus hours of flight time crossing 10 time zones. I was feeling inspired by “The Last Lecture,” a 2008 book about achieving childhood dreams by Carnegie Mellon University professor Randy Pausch. When I was younger, I wanted to be a marine biologist, so this trip would enable me in some way to experience a life lived at sea, at least for a short time.

There are travel companies that readily accommodate solo traveling, so I went with G Adventures and purchased their seven-day cruise.

The vacation started on a Sunday in November when I landed in Male, the capital, and was greeted by Riz, G Adventures’ CEO, or “chief experience officer.” I was to be one of four passengers. The others were Susann and Mahdi, a couple in their 30s from Frankfurt, Germany, and Anna, a Russian expat also living and working in Germany. Our bags were collected and transported to the dock, a short walk from the airport, before being shuttled to Gulfaam, our home for the next week.

Gulfaam, which gets its name from a type of monsoon, is a “dhoni” with three decks — four two-bedrooms suites below, living/dining/kitchen areas on the main level, and an observation deck above. Dhoni boats, which date back to the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians, are shaped to allow for sailing in shallow water. Historically, they were sailboats, but now they are outfitted with motors that allow for an average travel speed of just over 9 mph. 

By the time we set sail, it was early afternoon. The low skyline of Male faded away as we headed toward Kudhi Boli, our first destination. Along the way we stopped for our first snorkel, a teaser for the adventures that awaited us. 

The author, appearing in the left photo on the far right, joined three other passengers aboard the Gulfaam, a type of boat based on an ancient design. Together, they explored parts of the island nation of the Maldives. Despite the natural beauty, excellent cuisine and welcoming locals, their visit was overshadowed by a looming threat — the islands may be destroyed by rising ocean levels later this century. Photos by Mohamed Ahmed and Moulay Alaoui Mouayd

The first day provided a good indication of what the remainder of the trip would look like. And while each day offered its own unique experiences, there was a common rhythm. Being so close to the equator, the country consistently gets 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. Our daily routine adhered to a simple schedule — a bell rang for meals at 7:30 a.m., 12:30 lunch, and 7:30 p.m. After a period of digestion following breakfast and lunch, we snorkeled in different reef systems. Riz kept us in suspense ahead of each day’s foray, taking us to different reefs with their own unique features. One day we visited a feeding ground for sea turtles, another day a shipwreck, and another was spent swimming and beachcombing on a slip of a deserted island. At dusk, we typically relaxed and talked, former strangers from different lands learning about each other’s lives and remarking on the happy convergence that led us to intersect thousands of miles from our homes. 

On the boat, with no internet access, time moved at a different speed and was measured in a different way. Instead of watches, we marked its passage with a bunch of bananas, fully green at the start of our trip and ripe at the end. 

Our trip took us as far south as Fenbo Finolhu and Fulidhoo, two islands without resorts and inhabited only by locals. On Fenbo, a mosque with a tall minaret stood sentinel, from which evening prayers were called out as fruit bats glided by. We passed through narrow streets and admired the banyan trees, making knots out of their draping tendrils, an old tradition said to make wishes come true. We smiled at passing children but were advised not to take their pictures. The walk took us past many coconut trees. When a child is born, a coconut tree is planted because it will provide essential food and water to sustain a person. We would also learn later about “bikini beach,” a screened-in area that allows minimally clad tourists to sunbathe without offending the island’s Muslim community.

The primary reason for going on this trip was to snorkel to my heart’s content. The sights below the ocean’s surface were magical, with innumerable combinations of vibrant colors and patterns. We were in the company of groupers, grunts, wrasses, angelfish, butterfly fish, parrotfish, surgeonfish, triggerfish, damselfish, clown fish, soldierfish, puffer fish, spiny lobsters and so many more. And as if that wasn’t enough, we swam with sea turtles, went face to face with a moray eel, and even caught sight of a clown fish, aka Nemo, swimming through undulating purple anemone. One of my personal favorites to spot were the giant clams, which I had never seen before. The shells of these bivalves are wedged into the reefs, but their protruding fleshy lips in colors of purple, blue, green and orange hypnotize the eyes with their vibrancy.

Photos by Mohamed Ahmed and Moulay Alaoui Mouayd.

To end the trip with a glorious exclamation point, eagle-eyed Riz spotted a curious disturbance in the water, indicating the presence of manta rays. We quickly changed back into our bathing suits and jumped in for our last dive. It was an otherworldly experience, watching their wide mouths remain open while their wings gracefully glided dreamlike through the water. 

The marine life was a sight to behold, but also delicious. The Maldivian and Bangladeshi crew, Captain Andino, Sujon (the cook), Messah (the waiter) and Ruhul (the cabin attendant) made sure we were kept safe, pampered and well fed. As we went from one destination to the next, the crew, with help from our fellow passenger Mahdi, line-fished off the boat. On one occasion they caught a barracuda, red snapper and a moray eel (we did not eat the eel). The two most important staples of the Maldivian diet are tuna and rice. Tuna is bountiful and is eaten at almost every meal. We had it smoked and fresh, in pasta, and served as ceviche. A traditional Maldivian breakfast called mas huni is made with tuna, freshly grated coconut, onion, lime, tomato, chile, cabbage leaf, and a simple seasoning of salt and pepper.
I could have eaten it every day. Sujon worked miracles in a small kitchen and prepared meals fit for a royal feast three times a day. Not surprisingly, we quickly became attached to his cooking skills and good humor. 

There was plenty of time in between eating, snorkeling and sleeping for Susann, Mahdi, Anna, Riz and me to find friendship. We experienced many “firsts” together. We saw a moon halo, watched a waterspout in the distance, and swam in shark-infested water. We faced the unknown and unfamiliar. I may have even instigated a dare to dive off the top deck of the boat, but I’m still waiting for the others to join me.     

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Getaway, Kuhdi Boli, Maldives, Male, summer fun, Travel, vacation

Maple Syrup and Cheese? Yes, Please!

July 17, 2020 by Alexandra Pecci

A Trip to Woodstock, Vermont

Taste and place are intimately linked, and Woodstock, Vermont, is a delicious example of that. Located about 140 miles northwest of Boston, Woodstock is a food-lover’s dream, offering everything that draws us to Vermont and so much more. Its charming downtown is home to a picture-perfect village green, historical buildings and great restaurants. Stunning nature is just steps away: The Ottauquechee River flows through town, and Mount Tom rises above it. While Vermont is rightly known for its skiing and other winter activities, those who visit in summer and early fall are rewarded with an up-close look at and taste of the state’s culinary and agricultural bounty. Here are some ways to eat your way through Woodstock this summer.

An eater’s tour of town: Come hungry when you arrive in Woodstock. For breakfast or lunch, try Mon Vert Cafe, which serves up artisanal coffees and organic breakfast and lunch dishes made with ingredients from local sources such as Red Hen Bakery & Cafe and North Country Smokehouse, or Mountain Creamery, renowned for its from-scratch, locally sourced (they have their own farm) pancake stacks, sandwiches, house-made ice cream (try the maple walnut) and more. For dinner, the choices are many and the sky’s the limit. Beer lovers will swoon over Worthy Kitchen’s food and beer menu and farm-to-table devotees will love the exquisite food and cocktails at Mangalitsa. Grab dinner at The Prince & The Pauper or experience high-end Vermont comfort food and craft cocktails when you visit The Red Rooster at the Woodstock Inn & Resort.

 

Would you like some beer with your glassblowing? Head to The Mill at Simon Pearce in nearby Quechee to watch a glassblowing demonstration at Simon Pearce’s flagship workshop before enjoying dinner at its restaurant overlooking the Ottauquechee River waterfall and covered bridge.

Photo courtesy Mon Vert Cafe.

Taste of Woodstock: This annual event brings together the town and region’s most beloved restaurants, food artisans, farmers and makers for a daylong celebration of all things Vermont food. Elm Street in the center of town is closed off to make room for a beer garden and dozens of vendors cooking up tasty treats throughout the day. Sample items like the crispy hot empanadas from Ana’s Empanadas; pasta and seafood from The Daily Catch; and small-batch spirits from SILO Distillery; not to mention a yummy array of Vermont classics, including cheeses and maple syrups.

Leave room in your suitcase: For foodie souvenirs, head into the old-fashioned (as in opened in 1886) F.H. Gillingham and Sons general store. Look for Vermont-made goodies such as maple cotton candy, pancake mix, jams and jellies, maple popcorn, craft beers and more. Also, don’t miss some of the best olive oil from The Olive Table, sourced from their family farm in Greece.

Get your farm on: It should come as no surprise that Woodstock’s bucolic landscape is home to some beloved and impressive farms. At Woodstock Inn & Resort’s Kelly Way Gardens, which is open to the public and helps supply the inn’s farm-to-table restaurants, you’ll find a variety of events, including tours, tastings and farm dinners. The farm’s seasonal Red Barn Dinner Series is the pinnacle of rustic elegance, where diners enjoy multicourse family-style dinners that highlight local growers, cheesemakers, chefs, beekeepers and other artisans. But you don’t have to be attending a special event to visit the gardens. They’re open for exploring and wandering. Especially gourd-geous? The Gourdwalk, a stunning, walk-through tunnel of vines, leaves and hanging gourds. At Billings Farm & Museum, visitors can learn about Vermont’s rural and farming heritage through educational exhibits, hands-on activities and a chance to visit the Jersey cows that provide the milk for their Billings Farm cheddar. If you visit in September, don’t miss the Sunflower House, where a maze of towering sunflowers form “rooms” and “hallways” for visitors to explore. And for some of the best cheeses and maple syrup around, don’t miss Sugarbush Farm, where everything is sourced and made on-site.

F. H. Gillingham & Sons (above) is a country store located in Woodstock’s downtown. It dates back to the 19th century and is still run by the descendants of the original owners. After visiting, cross the green to see the Middle Covered Bridge (above center). Constructed in 1969 using traditional methods, it offers plenty of views for striking photography. Ready to relax? SILO Distillery (lower right) offers creative takes on traditional spirits, such as lemon-infused vodka, maple whiskey and something called Solstice, a spirit distilled from white beer. Top & Bottom Left: Photography courtesy The Gillingham Store Archives. Bottom Right: ©CEW, adobestock.com.

Now work it off! Right across the street from Billings Farm & Museum is Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, where you can hike Mount Tom. Get views of Woodstock from its South Peak and even stroll around the Pogue, a 14-acre pond near the summit.  

Market on the Green: Every Wednesday from mid-June to mid-October, dozens of vendors fill the village green with local eggs, fruits, veggies, cheese, syrup and prepared foods, not to mention the family activities and local makers offering handmade jewelry and local pottery, plus wine and spirits to sample and buy. Among the vendors: Wood’s Vermont Syrup Co., which distinguishes itself with its bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup.

Need more farmers market action? The Woodstock Farmers’ Market is so much more than a typical seasonal market. It’s a year-round destination for a huge selection of locally grown and produced foods, grocery items, baked goods, coffee, prepared foods, cut flowers and even Christmas trees during the holidays.  

Learn more: WoodstockVT.com

[Editor’s note: The state of Vermont is slowly reopening. Taste of Woodstock is scheduled to reopen on August 8. Otherwise, make sure to call ahead or check the appropriate webpage before visiting the places mentioned by the author.] 

A place to hang your hat: Woodstock Inn & Resort

Photos courtesy of the Woodstock Inn & Resort. Top: Photography by Jim Westphalen. Bottom: Photography by Rosemary Tufankjiany.

Woodstock Inn & Resort has been dubbed “Vermont’s most beautiful address” for a reason, with its elegant architecture and lovely gardens, not to mention a luxurious spa, golf course, hiking trails and Woodstock Athletic Club. But this inn has some major foodie cred, too. In addition to Kelly Way Gardens, located a mile away, and its farm-to-table restaurants, The Red Rooster and Richardson’s Tavern, Woodstock Inn & Resort also offers afternoon tea and seasonal dining. Enjoy craft beer at Perley’s Pourhouse and bistro-style dishes at Fairway Grill, which overlooks the golf course greens at Woodstock Country Club. They’ve even offered wine yoga at Woodstock Athletic Club.

Spirits for a solution

Photo courtesy SILO Distillery.

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended life as we know it, but it’s been inspiring to watch people and communities rise to the occasion. Among them is SILO Distillery, which has shifted some of its operations away from crafting small-batch spirits in order to produce hand sanitizer. In addition to filling orders for the community, it’s also filling bulk orders for hospitals, first responders and commercial institutions. The shops and businesses of Woodstock will be among those institutions as they reopen. According to Beth Finlayson, executive director of the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce, SILO Distillery hand sanitizer will be available at Market on the Green and Taste of Woodstock, and through local merchants thanks to support from the chamber and the Woodstock Economic Development Commission. SILO Distillery offers craft cider, gins, vodkas and whiskeys, including maple whiskey steeped with maple syrup from Sugar Moon Hill Farm in Woodstock.

Filed Under: Food & Drink, Travel Tagged With: Billings Farm and Museum, Covered Bridge, F.H. Gillingham and Sons General Store, Kelly Way Gardens, Maple Syrup, New England, SILO Distillery, Sugarbush Farm, summer fun, Summer Travel, The Mill ad Simon Pearce, Travel, Vermont Made, Woodstock vermont, Woondstock Inn

The Changing Face of Biddeford, Maine

July 13, 2020 by Dean Johnson

My family owned and operated a restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine, for nearly 40 years. After we sold it, we kept a house in the area. During nearly all of that time, the run-down mill city of Biddeford was always a “drive through” location, never ever a “drive to” place.

In recent years, however, all of that has changed. According to a 2019 report in the Portland Press Herald that quoted Census data, the city of about 21,500 residents is now the youngest in the Pine Tree State, with an average age of 35 and a city center median age of 29. In addition, Biddeford’s culinary, arts and business scenes are all blossoming … so much so that local wags have a come up with the word “Biddesance” to capture the city’s resurgence.

 What happened? Those same old, shuttered and decrepit mills that had been Biddeford’s undoing are now its … well-doing! 

 

The 35-acre mill district has been revived, renovated and resurrected. Though Biddeford lagged behind other fading New England mill cities that reinvented themselves — say hello, Lowell and Haverhill — it has occupied the fast lane over the last few years and has become one of Maine’s more hip and upbeat communities.

If my mother was still with us, that previous sentence would have caused her to faint in shock and disbelief.

Photo by Danica Lamontagne.

But Biddeford’s turnaround isn’t only about once-abandoned mills. The place also needed a white knight, and it found one in developer Doug Sanford, who made the monetary investments to purchase and renovate many of the venerable buildings.

And, of course, timing is everything. Less than 30 minutes south of from Portland, Biddeford has always existed in that city’s shadow. And that was especially true on the food front — Bon Appétit magazine named Portland its 2018 Restaurant City of the Year.

But a funny thing happened after that. As more and more people discovered Portland, and more and more chic and/or high-end eateries opened, rents and property prices skyrocketed. Portland’s restaurant scene became ultracompetitive and expensive, and startups could no longer afford to open there.

So they didn’t. They went to Biddeford, where rents were much cheaper, there was plenty of available space, and good ideas were encouraged and rewarded.

Biddeford now has a thriving foodie scene, and that longtime one-way culinary trip — Biddeford to Portland — is now very much a two-way street.

The same thing has happened to other small businesses or startups. A distillery, a classic car showroom, photography studios, breweries, specialty food groups, and manufacturers, and even a circus school, for cryin’ out loud, are among the nearly 200 tenants that occupy the revitalized mills. And there are almost as many housing units.

But the food and beverage scene, in particular, has really taken off, and you don’t need to scour the rabbit’s warren of mill buildings to discover it.

The novel coronavirus has put everything in flux, especially restaurants. But in previrus times, a stretch of Biddeford’s Main Street, just off Route 1, was home to a stunning array of dine and drink spots, all within a short walk of each other

The Palace Diner (left and right) exemplifies Biddeford past and present. It also highlights another Biddeford-Merrimack Valley connection — it was built in Lowell in 1927. Center: The author’s mother, Bessie Sideris (later Johnson), is seen pictured in the 1930s. Had she lived to see Biddeford today, she would likely be amazed at the city’s transformation. Left: Photo by Christopher Buerkle, courtesy Palace Diner. Middle: Photo by Dean Johnson. Right: Photo by Greta Rybus, courtesy Palace Diner.

Yeto’s, for example, was offering a funky Italian/Southern USA hybrid menu that even included … are you ready? … an absinthe cocktail menu. Sign me up!

Elda received rave reviews for its insatiable quest to serve casually high-end meals mostly dedicated to seafood and the local food scene. I had a couple of knockout dinners there, but most remember a valiant attempt to get really local. It was something like a spruce foam, I think. I don’t know what I expected, but it tasted like I was chewing on a forest branch. Still, I was impressed by the attention to detail, and almost everything else I sampled there, especially the scallops, were swoon-worthy.

The biggest culinary success story in Biddeford, however, may be located a literal stone’s throw off Main Street. The Palace Diner, built in Lowell in 1927, once fed the city’s famished mill workers and was likely the exact sort of greasy spoon destination you’d imagine back then. In 2014, a couple of chefs who had made their mark in Portland’s food scene, Chad Conley and Greg Mitchell, bought the place. They were its sixth proprietors and quickly did things none of their predecessors dreamed off.

Bon Appétit named it one of the 50 best new restaurants in the United States in 2014, and just this year Conley and Mitchell were named as James Beard Award finalists for Best Chef in the Northeast. 

And did I mention the place is a diner?

Other smart Main Street options include Cowbell Burger Bar, Thai ME for great Thai family food, Dizzy Birds Rotisserie Chicken, Martini’s on Main, which is right next to Sublime Taco, and Elements, a bookshop/coffee bar/beer place. 

Without knowing what 2020 holds, it seems Biddeford’s days as a strictly “drive through” locale are over.   

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Biddeford, culinary, Dining, Food, foodie scene, Maine, restaurants, summer fun, Summer Travel, Travel, Travel Guide

Electric Summer

April 9, 2019 by Kim Whiting Leave a Comment

Tech Camps Prepare Kids to Code, Calculate and Create

For some people, the words “summer camp” conjure up fond images of swimming, hiking and campfires. Others are more apt to think of sunburns, poison ivy and mosquitos. Let’s face it, traditional summer camps aren’t fun for everyone.

The good news is that there’s been a dramatic rise in recent years in the variety of summer programs available for kids in the Merrimack Valley, some with no sunblock or bug repellant required. Camps with a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) focus have gained in popularity, with more and more programs popping up. 

If you’re looking for classes or camps during the summer break, look no further.

Photo by Kevin Harkins.

Kaleidoscope 

Campers will design hovercrafts, create video games, or invent apps for the first time this year at Kaleidoscope, which will be offering about 20 new courses covering a wide range of interests.

Andover’s Janis Baron founded Kaleidoscope in 1981 to fill a void she saw in the variety of summer activities being offered.
“I really felt that summer options were very limited at that time,” she says. “Either you sent your child to a remedial summer program to catch up on things or to a traditional outdoor summer camp. There was a gap I saw for kids who really wanted to keep learning over the summer. As a teacher and mother and educator, that was important to me.”

Kaleidoscope started with an enrollment of about 50 campers, operating out of Andover public schools for 19 years before moving to Pike School in town, its current home. Kaleidoscope is offering 178 courses this summer and expects to serve about 750 campers ages 3-13 from 40 different communities.

Of the 20 or so new courses being offered at Kaleidoscope this year, a handful will focus on STEM disciplines. While STEM activities might be the latest trend, they’re not new for Baron, who notes, “We were offering STEM programs long before they called it STEM.” 

Three one-week sessions will be run in July. Full-day programs are available with an early drop-off and extended day, but campers can also take one morning or afternoon course. Scholarships are available for qualifying families.

KaleidoscopeKids.com

Empow Studios

Executive Director of Marketing David Gutierrez prefers the term STEAM to describe the curriculum created by Empow Studios in 2013. The A stands for art, which encompasses much of the creativity that drives innovation. “The investment in schools is there,” Gutierrez says, “but the kids are not really learning about the technology … the coding, design. [For example,] the school may have a 3D printer, but it’s often undermaintenanced and underused.

“As a whole, we feel STEM or STEAM will be able to contribute to a number of global challenges that we face in the future. So our goal is to empower kids starting at a young age, so when they’re older they’re able to use skills that aren’t traditionally taught in school systems to solve things like hunger or clean water, global warming [and] poverty. Having innovative solutions to that can come from creating really innovative products, and can come from collaboration, so it’s our focus to teach some of these skills in a project-based learning environment.”

The instructors employed by Empow Studios travel to schools and youth programs throughout the school year. During the summer, instructors set up short-term “pop-up camps” in various locations. This summer, Empow Studios is offering pop-up camps with full-day and half-day one-week sessions in 16 towns, including Acton and Reading. Early drop-off, extended afternoon hours and scholarships are available. 

In Acton, Empow’s summer camp will be held at Acton Congregational Church beginning on June 24. It commences with a session of Tech & Design Camp, where campers choose what they want to create, from video game design, robotics, animation, coding, 3D printing, music production and more. Java Coding Camp and Minecraft Camp are offered the week after that, followed by two more sessions of Tech & Design Camp, which recently passed Minecraft Camp as the most popular choice for campers, Gutierrez says.

Reading is a new location for Empow Studios this year, with a week of Tech & Design Camp beginning July 22, followed by a week of Minecraft Camp and Java Coding Camp at Austin Preparatory School. Empow Studios hopes to add more sessions and locations every year. 

EmPow.me

Left: At Empow Studios, the next generation of tech wizards is choosing to spend the dog days building robots and creating apps. Photo by Kevin Harkins. Top Right: Children at Kaleidoscope have the opportunity to take summer courses in video game design, creative photography, electronics and circuitry. Photo courtesy of Kaleidoscope. Bottom Right: The goal of tech camps is to prepare children for the future and give them the tools to transform the way they see the world. Or the moon, in this instance. Photo by Kevin Harkins.

Westford Community Access Television

Young producers can learn how to create their own video at Westford Community Access Television (CAT). Campers develop their own story ideas, prepare costumes and props, and learn how to use the video and editing equipment to create a finished product. A viewing party is held at the end of each one-week session.  

“They’re learning lots more than the technology,” says Marketing Outreach Manager Sarah Fletcher, who also prefers to use the acronym STEAM. “We turn STEM into STEAM because they’re acting and writing and being creative, as well as doing all that kind of technical editing. They’re managing their video, where to crop it and how to edit it, so they’re learning a lot.” 

The program has been so well attended in past years that the two sessions offered are always full and often have a waiting list. Fletcher hopes Westford CAT will be able to add a third half-day session this summer to accommodate even more campers. “We have some kids that come back every summer. They have a blast,” she says.  

WestfordCAT.org

iD Tech 

In business since 1999, the self-proclaimed “world’s #1 summer tech camp for ages 7-19” is hosted locally by Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and UMass Lowell. In addition to one-week full-day sessions at both locations, iD Tech offers overnight sessions at SNHU from June 24-Aug. 2, and financial assistance is available for qualifying families. 

More than a dozen courses are offered, including “YouTube Gamecasting and Video Production,” “Fortnite Camp and Unreal Engine Level Design,” and “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.” Part of iD Tech’s goal is to give kids skills that will help prepare them for the job market. The company seems to be succeeding in its mission: former students now hold positions at Microsoft, Electronic Arts Inc. and Warner Bros.  

IDTech.com     

Filed Under: Community Tagged With: Empow Studios, iD Tech, Keleidoscope, Kids, STEM camps, summer camps, summer fun, Tech Camps, Westford Community Access Television

A Guide to 2019 Area Summer Camps

March 26, 2019 by Katie DeRosa Leave a Comment

— Sponsored —

Cedarland Summer Camp

Cedarland Summer Day Camp offers two exciting camps:  Full Day for campers age 4 – 12 and Junior Outing for campers age 12 – 14.  Each camp is designed to address the needs and interests of the various stages of a child’s life. The common philosophy across our camps is to improve a child’s fitness and confidence through participation in a variety of fun activities in a non-competitive environment. Cedarland’s camp facilities include an Olympic-size pool, playground, basketball and volleyball courts, covered lunch area, locker rooms as well as use of aMAZEment Action Playcenter and Cedarland Mini-Golf, Batting and Ropes Courses. Register online at www.cedarland.net.

Haverhill, Mass.  l  (978) 521-7700  l  Cedarland.net

 

IDEA Camp 

Invent. Design. Create. Experiment. IDEA Camp is an exciting hands-on summer learning program for students in grades 5-9. Students have fun applying new skills and technologies. Students attend workshops at UMass Lowell’s North Campus and gain hands-on experience in science, design, computer programming, urban farming, and robotics. Other workshops include: You Code Girl, Architects Studio, Flight School, Kinetic Sculpture, Carnival Contraptions, Video Game Makers, and Wire Your Bedroom. This 3-week camp provides students the chance to work in college classrooms, engineering labs, and explore key campus locations. Enrollment for this full-day camp is open to all Merrimack Valley students. Tuition: $360/week. Lowell Residents $180/week. Need-based scholarships available. To register your student, contact Martha Cohn 978.674.9775; mcohn@lowell.k12.ma.us. To sponsor IDEA Camp, contact LZ Nunn 978.455.9775, lznunn@projectlearninc.org. 

Lowell, Mass.  l  (978) 674-9775  l ProjectLearnInc.org

 

Kaleidoscope

Now celebrating its 39th summer, Kaleidoscope offers more than 180 half- and full-day, one-week courses for children ages 3 to 13. Popular topics include art, music, theater, science, math, animals, fashion, dance, domino physics, fencing, Lego, video, technology, cooking, languages and much more. New courses this year include Video Game Design, Rainbow Food Fest, App Inventors, Trail Blazers, Leadership Academy, Money Matters & many more. Students from more than 40 communities return year after year. Kaleidoscope is held in three separate one-week sessions at the Pike School in Andover, July 1-26, and features small classes and excellent teachers. Early care and extended day options are available. The KITE full-day program for academically advanced students in Pre-K through Grade 7 runs from July 29-Aug 2. This year’s theme is “It’s a Small World.”

Andover, Mass.  l  (978) 474-6232  l  KaleidoscopeKids.com

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Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901

Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901

Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

*Valid on new memberships during the month of September 2020.

 

Newsletter Signup

MERRIMACK VALLEY TODAY: Noteworthy. Local. News. (Launching May 2021)
Wellness Wednesdays
Eight Great Things To Do This Weekend (Thursdays)
NoteWorthy - Happenings, Movers & Shakers (Sundays)

Orangetheory Methuen is celebrating it’s one year anniversary with an
Open House, Saturday June 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join your friends and neighbors to learn more about the fastest growing workout sensation in the nation. Tour the studio. Meet the coaches. Enter to win a 10 pack of classes. The first 20 people who sign up for a free class at the event will receive a free bonus class, no obligation. 

Click here to learn more! 

Click here to schedule your FREE CLASS in Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901
Click here to schedule your FREE CLASS in Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

*Free Class for first-time visitors and local residents only.