Puddle stompers did phenomenal job with fun and science. They know how to make it accessible to…read morelittle kids and have helped grow my son into a little naturalist.

We showed up to a winter camp session that had been advertised as an outdoor experience, only to…read morefind that the entire morning was indoors. My son cannot tolerate wearing a mask due to hypersensitivities related to being Autistic, and they would not make an exception to their masking rule. We were not allowed in the door, and had to forfeit three days of camp tuition. This is all after I spent hours finding a 1:1 aide we needed to pay out of pocket in order for them to allow him to attend. While I realize I should have double checked about how strict the policy is, there is nowhere else in our life that doesn't make an exception for him and for an outdoor program it didn't even occur to me. I frankly feel angry and sad about the experience, as a welcoming nature camp is exactly the right place for my son. While I understand and support masking as needed, we are three years into the pandemic, and he is triple vaccinated. I hope they improve in their flexibility and if they do I will edit this review happily.

We attended a Sunday morning group workshop at the end of May 2023. We were complete novices. Our…read moreinstructor Kate taught us what we needed to know to throw pots on the potter's wheel. At no time did we feel confused, lost, overwhelmed, rushed. I and my friend KHK both threw two good pieces suitable to fire. 9/10 would recommend. Only negative was they are still masking at this late date.

I've been taking classes here since about 2015, and it's been a bright spot in the pandemic…read more Everyone is so nice, the teachers are great, and there's lots of tools to play with, both on & off the wheel.

I signed my 13 year old son up for this camp without asking his opinion first. Naturally I was a…read morelittle nervous dropping him off. I had booked 2 weeks of day camp. He ended up wanting to add a third week of sleepover camp and can't wait to go again next summer. I think that says it all. I was also pleased with his output. He learned some c++ programming, html and animation. And they made it fun!!! Highly recommend.

My daughter is 9 1/2 and participated in iD Tech camp for the first time this year. She was a…read morereluctant participant initially, however by the end of the week was engaged, excited to have made a computer game and more comfortable with the computer. All of the kids in her group worked to help her as did the instructors. My impression is that the instructors are excited to teach the kids, know how to engage them, give them the appropriate level of support and alot of positive feedback. A great combination of skills for these instructors to have. By the end of the session my daughter was hooked. Her only comment to me at the end of the week was that she was glad I enrolled her, she stated hat she wanted to come back next year and participate in the camp again and was going to try to recruit a girlfriend to come with her. We will definetly be participants in the camp next year!

The New Art Center in Newton is a fabulous community resource for art classes for adults, teens and…read morekids. There are also terrific art camps for children and teens throughout the summer and over school vacation weeks. New Art also has free art experiences for the community, including a gallery at 245 Walnut St, Newton and a robust scholarship program.

I am impressed that this more conservative contemporary art gallery was willing to exhibit all…read morekinds of "urban" art!! I went there Friday evening and saw what some of the highly skilled graffiti artists in Boston and New York have been up to lately. Cheers to the board at the New Art Center for approving such a cutting edge and controversial showcase!

I am taking an evening pottery class for adults at the ACA and it is fantastic. The instruction and…read morethe space and size of the class are all very conducive towards learning, and I am learning and growing a lot! The studio is on the top floor of an old building near the center of Arlington, a densely populated town. Plan ahead to park, or be Zen about the general traffic situation in the greater Boston area. I recommend the ACA to any adult looking to develop their artistic craft. Especially if you are working from the ground up like me! You will find a supportive environment with lots of instruction and guidance.

Poor-quality camp - unfriendly to working parents…read more The teachers are great, but the camps are very poorly run and the space used isn't adequate. The youngest children occupy a very small room, and more than once were kept inside all day in spite of its being nice out, "because the big kids were outside." The management is quite poor and both those running the camp and the promotional materials are unclear about what the camp offers. On its website, the vacation camp advertises early drop-off and extended day but when, on the first day of camp, I attempted to sign up for these, I was told that I was "not encouraged" to use the services for my child. The total lack of clarity in the materials and from the people I spoke with resulted in my being unable to work a full week. I had no warning of this, and those in charge of the camp shrugged it off with a smug smile. It seems they expect all of their families to employ nannies. If you don't, then consider yourself "not encouraged" to send your child here.