Save the Date for Ed-Ventures on Sept. 19-21

Join the Family Resource Center of New England for a weekend of American "Ed-Ventures" and connect with a wide variety of family enrichment and homeschooling activities. Inspired by the upcoming election—and in the spirit of fun, learning and good citizenship—this year’s theme highlights significant historical and scientific events from America’s past that will encourage students to think of ways that they too can make a difference in our country’s future. The FRC Museum & Community Education Expo 2008 runs September 19 - 21, 2008 in Boxborough, MA.

Art of Farming at Old Frog Pond

Around the farmer's art
glow bountiful raspberries
accenting green bushes;
ample apples invite
your pies and crisps
as Old Frog Pond Farm
yields autumn fruit.

Visitors to Old Frog Pond Farm are picking organic Macs, Cortland and Golden Delicious in the orchard - Heritage is the variety of their splendid fall raspberries (photo).

Pick-Your-Own
Farmstand on the front porch
Sculpture in the studio and around the farm
Certified Organic by Baystate Organic Certifiers
Directions

Canobie Lake: Now Toddler Tested!

We just took our (22 month old) daughter to Canobie Lake Park last week, and she loved it. Loads of great kid rides, and she loved the train that went around the park. Totally worth it (especially because she was free - up to age 3). Love the Compleat Day Tripper, thanks! - Jess McDaniel, Somerville

Perfect Fun at Kimball Farm

Recognize the cover of The Compleat Day Tripper? Once again, my son's annual birthday party expedition to Kimball Farm on Friday night was perfect. This is the fourth in a row! Birthday parties are an easy do-it-yourself operation at Kimball Farm. We went from the bumper boats, to the mini-golf, back to the bumper boats, then pizza and ice cream! There's also a driving range and playground, and a great grill service during the summer with shaded picnic tables. You can put together goodie bags with candy & knicknacks from the Country Store. Kimball Farm can be crowded with school & camp groups, but it wasn't yesterday, probably because of the heat & humidity (not a problem for five 13-year-olds with 3 gallons of ice water! The crowds seemed to thin out after about 5 p.m. Phone (978) 486-3891. Prices range from $7.50 for bumper boats to $10 a round ($6 repeats) for mini-golf; discounts bundles and children to age 12.

Time Flies When You're Having iCamp!

Time flies when you're having fun, especially at CTW's iCamp. If you've been to iCamp this summer, contact Children's Technology Workshop to sign up for our new newsletter and learn some neat ways to share your games and movies. If you haven't tried iCamp yet, now's the time! We still have openings next week in Wellesley, the next three weeks in Arlington, and the last two weeks of August in Newton. Fall after-school classes are being scheduled in several areas, as well.

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Dispatches subscribers: click here for a special discount.

Perpetual Motion Saves the Rainy Day

I just have to thank you again for your book. My friend and I (plus two 2 year olds and a baby) just spent 3 blissful hours on a rainy day at Perpetual Motion in Lowell. We would never have heard of it without the Compleat Day Tripper. - Christine Power Thielman, Arlington

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Editor's Note: Perpetual Motion now offers areas for school-age kids as well as pre-schoolers, plus they offer a coupon for Dispatches subscribers. Please visit our sponsor site to claim your discount!

It's Not Your Grandma's Trampoline!

Bread and circuses, American-style? Maybe, but who knew furniture shopping could be so thrilling!? Just inside the massive Jordan's Furniture building in Reading is the Trapeze School of NY - Beantown. This is a real, live double trapeze that has enough show lighting, music, and action to take you over the big top and beyond, to the ice cream stand, restaurants, Duck Tour arcade games, IMAX theater, and many more activities in this amazing indoor complex. Classes can be pricey, but there are party discounts and individual swing packages range from $10-$25. Ages 6 and up. To reach TSNY, take exit 39 off 128, just north of I-93, Tel. 781-942-7800; or email.

Let 'Em Loose at Perpetual Motion!

Perpetual Motion is once again a sure cure for family cabin fever, and now it's suitable for kids of all ages. After its move from Andover to Lowell last year, this popular Day Tripper venue resumed its role as a rainy-day refuge not only for preschoolers, but also for older kids with the addition of a physical challenge course designed specifically for Perpetual Motion, including slides, climbers, a huge foam pit and a traverse climbing wall. Of course, you'll still find the fabulous indoor playground for ages 6 and under, complete with sand and swings. Perpetual Motion is now located at 345 Chelmsford Street Lowell, MA 01851; tel 978-452-0777; about 25 minutes from Routes 2 & 128 via the Lowell Connector.

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Click here for valuable sponsor coupons

Arlington Enrichment Offers Parents' Night Out

This monthly program at Arlington Enrichment Collaborative gives kids an evening of pizza, games & crafts at a fraction of the cost of babysitting - and parents a worry-free night out! The next event is Saturday, December 16 from 6 –10 PM. The cost is $25 per child or $20 for each additional child per family. To register, please email or call (781) 643-4694. AEC is a nonprofit corporation and a licensed and insured child care provider. AEC is at 1100 Mass Ave, 2nd Floor in Arlington.

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DISPATCHES SPECIAL
Bring a copy of this announcement for a $2 discount per child!

Public Skating in Metro NW

Public skating at town recreation centers like "The Rec" (or TRex as my son used to call it) in Arlington is well underway. Arlington's Veterans' Memorial Rink is located at 422 Summer St. and public skating hours there are on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Town rinks like the Arlington Rec often have skate rentals and sharpening services, along with a concession stand and vending machines.

Other public skating around the area can be found at the charming Frog Pond at Boston Common, Burlington Ice Palace, The Charles Hotel, Chelmsford Forum, Larz Anderson Skating Rink, Murphy Skating Rink, Puopolo Park/Mirabella Pool/Steriti Memorial Rink, Simoni Memorial Rink, and The Skating Club of Boston. (We'll be adding specific links to these places soon, but you can click here for DCR's statewide list, sorted by town).