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Family and Community Program

Program Type
Family and Community
Age Group
All Age Groups
Season
Summer
Price
$100 – $1100
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Welcome to the Neighborhood

If you’re nostalgic for summer vibes in the great outdoors, we hoist the sails on a program for everyone—kids, parents, and grandparents; singles, couples, and seniors—with activities for every age.

Program Overview 

With unparalleled access to Hale’s 1,200 acres of adventure that include 20+ miles of trails, our beautiful South Beach campus offers a secluded place to disconnect. It includes a private waterfront, rinse stations, and composting restrooms. Activities are available at our archery range, obstacle course, playgrounds, pavilions, and picnic areas. Boats, paddles, and life jackets are all available for your convenience and safety.

We offer 2, 4, or 8 weeks of summer fun with friends and neighbors. Four 2-week sessions run from June 24–August 18, 2024. We serve a relaxed crowd of ~100 friends and neighbors on any given day. We’re open Monday through Sunday 9 AM to 8 PM. See below for more information about session dates.

Family-Friendly Summer Activities

Every session begins with a day of activity registration, skills assessments, and open games—all capped with a cookout hosted by our staff, so you’ll get to know the friendly faces you’ll see throughout the summer.

After that, you’ll find activities for all ages daily. Let our instructors teach your kids to swim while you dive into a good book, go trail running, or ground yourself in yoga. Recount the day’s adventures around a campfire or on a sunset canoe ride.

An instructor teaches two kids to swim in a pond.

Swimming

Open swimming is available to our friends and neighbors throughout the day, and group swimming lessons for ages three and up increase confidence and impart a valuable life-saving skill. Adults and seniors can take advantage of outdoor lap swim.

Kids on a boat.

Boating

Enjoy access to our fleet of sailboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and stand-up paddleboards. Boating lessons and activities are available for kids and adults, and instructors teach budding mariners to safely use oars, hoist sails, tack, and navigate.

An archery instructor teaches a young student to shoot a bow and arrow.

Nature & Adventure

Explorers go on nature hikes at Hale, venturing to caves and coves as they learn about flora, fauna, geology, and more. Challenge-by-choice is our motto, and that’s especially true with activities like archery, ninja warrior, survival, and climbing on our challenge courses.

A group of young girls completes arts & crafts projects.

Arts & Crafts

Hale is where kids let their imaginations run wild, in the wild. Instructors encourage self-expression as they teach young artists to channel their creativity through various projects like friendship bracelets, tie dye, nature weaving, campfire songs, and more.

Kids play kickball in a field.

Backyard Games & Sports

Game time hearkens back to playful neighborhood meet-ups. Little kids play Drip, Drip, Drop in the sand and learn to navigate obstacle courses. Older kids play gaga ball, Wiffle Ball, and H-O-R-S-E. Games aren’t about winning or losing—we focus on good sportsmanship, having fun, and making friends.

Group of swimmers.

Teens & Adults

Older kids can learn to informally lead activities, participate in Junior Lifeguarding, or even hone their skills as activity assistants through our volunteer program. Adult fitness activities include aqua jogging, yoga, and boot camp—with childcare while you participate!

Outdoor Swimming Lessons

The first Monday of each session includes swim evaluations and lesson registration. Formal (and fun!) lessons begin on Tuesday and run throughout every session. Our American Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructors teach six levels of lessons every day so students can continually build on progress. Most students advance one level per summer. Instructors use tried-and-true teaching techniques to meet children where they are in their development.

Regular practice is key in order to retain skills and build muscle memory. Unlike standalone lessons that could cost several thousand dollars per child (and don’t typically include services beyond the lessons themselves), we offer 8 weeks of daily lessons as part of a comprehensive program—so all of your children can practice frequently, and the entire family can have fun!


Would your child benefit from one-on-one attention in a lesson? We’re happy to make accommodations so that everyone can learn to swim! Our team will be glad to coordinate private lessons.


Campers in a swim lesson in the lake.

Would you like to visit for a day?

During the summer, South Beach Day Passes offer swimming and boating supervised by certified lifeguards. See our Visit page to learn more.

Community Events

Everyday activities are great, but so are events that make summer extra special. Barbecues, camping experiences, and movie nights are family-friendly options that parents will appreciate—and they’re included in every session.

On the first Monday of every session, join us in the picnic area for a BBQ prepared by our staff, and cheer on our young athletes competing in the Kids Fun TRYathlon.

Children race each other on a beach during a kids' triathlon.

See sunset from Nimrod’s Rock after hiking through Oak Hill, or experience it from North Beach after canoeing across Noanet Pond.

Beach at sunset.

Stake out a spot for your tent on the shores of Noanet Pond, then enjoy a bonfire with s’mores, campfire songs, stories, and stargazing.

Children roast marshmallows over a fire pit on a sandy beach, with adults and other children relaxing in the background as the sun sets.

From water bull riding to Hale’s own version of the Olympics, kids of all ages can compete and play together during these themed events.

Splashing around in pool noodles.

Where else could you relax on a quiet beach while watching a family-friendly flick on a movie screen suspended between two sailboats?

Movies on the beach.

Each session concludes with lollipops, carnival games, face-painting, and prizes. Earn your tickets and see what you win!

Kids playing at the carnvial.

Rates & Dates

Blooming Sally

Session Dates

Hale’s Family & Community Program offers four 2-week sessions.

Each session is its own staycation, and you can mix and match sessions for access when you need it—making it easier than ever to juggle camp, vacations, and other commitments.

Register for two or more, and save with our multi-session discount.

  • Session 1: June 24–July 7, 2024
  • Session 2: July 8–21, 2024
  • Session 3: July 22–Aug. 4, 2024
  • Session 4: Aug. 5–18, 2024
Blooming Sally

Registration Levels

With our multi-session discounts, you can save up to 25% per session. We also offer Financial Aid to participants who qualify.

Included With Registration

Did you know that registrations at the Family (Household, Full Day, Any Session) and Individual (Adult, Full Day, All Four Sessions) levels include a year of Hale’s annual membership program at no extra charge (a $120 value)? Valid from Mar. 1, 2024–Feb. 28, 2025, your family’s membership features complimentary parking throughout the year, discounts on activities, and a copy of Hale Magazine. You’ll receive instructions to claim your household’s membership in February.

Registration

A Household Full-Day Pass grants all members of a household access to the Family & Community Program from open to close during any session(s) they register for.
18+
June 24, 2024–August 18, 2024
$100–$1100
Family having fun on the beach.
An Household Nights & Weekends Pass grants all members of a household access to the Family & Community Program from 3 PM to close during any session(s) they register for.
18+
June 24, 2024–August 18, 2024
$100–$1100
Family barbecuing.
An Adult Full-Day Pass grants one individual over the age of 18 access to the Family & Community Program from open to close during any session(s) they register for.
18+
June 24, 2024–August 18, 2024
$100–$1100
An Adult Nights & Weekends Pass grants one individual over the age of 18 access to the Family & Community Program from 3 PM to close during any session(s) they register for.
18+
June 24, 2024–August 18, 2024
$100–$1100
A Senior Full-Day Pass grants one individual over the age of 60 access to the Family & Community Program from open to close during any session(s) they register for.
18+
June 24, 2024–August 18, 2024
$100–$1100

What’s included with registration?

Every session includes a variety of activities that you can enjoy at your own pace, no matter which pass you pick.

Swimming and boating under the watchful eyes of highly trained lifeguards. Swimming lessons are available between 10 AM and 4 PM Monday–Friday for ages 3–14, and boating lessons are available for ages 6+ who meet swimming requirements.

A group of kids playing on an inflatable raft in a pond.

Arts & Crafts, and Nature & Adventure activities including archery, teambuilding, high ropes, and educational hikes.

A girl uses markers on an arts & crafts project.

Backyard games and sports that range from pastimes like basketball and Wiffle Ball to Ninja Warrior.

Three boys playing with a basketball in the woods.

Adult fitness activities such as aqua jogging, yoga, and boot camp—with childcare while you participate!

A woman is swimming in a body of water.

Community events including a welcome barbecue, kids triathlon, beach bash, movie night, community campout, guided night hikes and sunset paddles, and a farewell carnival.

Hamburgers grilling on the barbecue.

Payment Options

Pay in Full

If you choose to pay in full, a portion of your payment (equal to the down payments described below) is non-refundable.

Installment Billing

If you choose automated installment billing, the following terms apply.

  • Family Registration: A non-refundable down payment ($300) is required. The remainder is billed in equal monthly installments on the first of each month, starting in December 2023 and ending in April 2024.
  • Individual Registration: A non-refundable down payment (50% of your registration total) is required. The remainder will be billed in March.
  • If you register after installment billing begins, you are responsible for however many installments would have already been billed leading up to that time. If you register after installment billing ends, payment in full is due at that time.

Refund Policy

Please review our flexible refund policy before you register. If you need assistance, feel free to call our main office at 781-326-1770. We’re happy to help during regular business hours.

A group of girls jumping off a dock into a lake.

Would you like a closer look?

Check out our Program Resource Site for an in-depth look at last summer. Note the information you’ll find there is subject to change as we plan for next year!

Regionally Recognized

Hale’s Family & Community Program is routinely recognized as a Top 5 Family Summer Camp and Top 5 Swim Lessons provider in Boston Parents Paper’s Family Favorite competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, registration is required.

While our Family & Community Program does not offer day passes, you can access other areas of Hale for passive recreation (no swimming or boating) by paying a Daily Parking Fee or becoming a Member. We also offer Beach Time when the Family & Community Program isn’t in session.

Our home base is at South Beach. You’ll find its entrance, Bruné Way, opposite 576 Dover Road.

We operate Monday–Sunday from 9 AM–8 PM. These hours are subject to change for special events.

Please note the water opens 15 minutes after the gate opens, and the water closes 15 minutes before the gate closes. Similarly, boating opens 30 minutes after the gate opens, and boating closes 30 minutes before the gate closes.

Please email info@hale.education for more information.

People on a small boat

Enroll Today

We always have room for new friends and neighbors, so make the most of summer with us!

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