Category: Cover Stories

How to rediscover classics,
find new titles that interest you and have more fun with reading

If it’s been years since you’ve picked up a book (no judgment!), the idea of reentering the vast and always-expanding world of literature can be overwhelming. But with genres that cover everything from werewolves to World War II and reading formats that accommodate all kinds of lifestyles, becoming a reader is easier than ever.

“Every child is an artist, but as they get older, most people stop drawing, stop coloring, and I think it can be the same way with reading,” said Michael Herrmann, owner of Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “Every child loves stories, but somewhere along the line, we lose that. The secret here is to get back in touch with that inner child and ask yourself, what kinds of stories do I want to hear now?”

Find a book

Caitlin Loving, head of circulation at Bedford Public Library, said one of the most common hang-ups people have about reading is simply not knowing what to read.

“There is such a wealth of options, which is nice, but it can also be really overwhelming and intimidating,” Loving said, “and if it’s been a while [since you’ve read], you may not know what you’d like.”

Books based on or related to your favorite films and TV series can be a great starting point, Loving said, as they allow you to dive deeper into a story or subject that you know you’re interested in.

“Even though you know what the book is about, there’s often a lot that gets left out [in the screen adaptation], so reading the book can really add to your enjoyment,” she said.

Another popular gateway to reading is nonfiction, said Emily Weiss, head of reference services at Bedford Public Library. You can explore a memoir or autobiography by a person who’s always fascinated you, or a self-help guide that addresses an area of your life that you want to improve, or a commentary on a social or political issue that you’re passionate about.

“If you have someone who is a reluctant reader but really likes sports, a nonfiction book about a sports team or a biography on an athlete will oftentimes draw them in,” Weiss said.

“When I read nonfiction, I can’t stop talking about what I’ve read to other people,” added Susan Harmon, information and technology librarian at Manchester City Library. “It’s a great way to learn more about something interesting or weird, or to become an expert on a subject or hobby of some kind.”

If reading a whole book feels like too much to start, try a book of poetry, short stories, a graphic novel or a novella instead.

“Warm up your reading muscles first … and start small,” said Rachel Stover, technical services assistant at Manchester City Library. “If you haven’t read anything in a while, something too long might get discouraging.”

There’s no shame in reading a young adult or children’s book either, said Sarah St. Martin, systems librarian for GMILCS, Inc., a nonprofit consortium of public and academic libraries in New Hampshire,

“Don’t limit yourself,” she said. “There are so many great children’s stories out there, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t read them.”

“It truly is a golden age for young adult literature,” Herrmann added. “These are books that have great stories and characters … and don’t involve a huge time commitment.”

Podcasts, YouTube channels and magazines often provide recommendations of new titles, especially within a particular genre or niche.

“A lot of YouTubers talk about books they’ve read that go along with what they talk about on their channel, so that can be a really good springboard,” Harmon said.

For more personalized recommendations, reach out to family, friends and co-workers who are readers and know what your interests are, or talk with the staff at your local library or bookstore, who can give you recommendations based on your interests, reading level and goals.

“The people who work in those places are in love with books,” Herrmann said. “They’ll help connect you with the kinds of stories that you’re looking for.”

To read or not to read

Inevitably, you will pick up some books that looked promising at first glance but fall short of your expectations. At that point, you’ll need to decide whether you want to cut your losses early on, read a little more in hopes that it redeems itself, or finish the book regardless.

A good rule of thumb is to read at least 50 pages of a book before making a judgment, Loving said; if it hasn’t appealed to you by then, it’s probably never going to, but if you want to be sure that you aren’t missing out, take a look at the reviews.

“Oftentimes a review will say, ‘It picks up in the second half,’ or ‘The ending is worth it,’ and that can be helpful for deciding if you want to keep going with it or not,” Loving said.

The reverse is also possible:

“You might start a book and be really into it, and then, halfway through, it changes and you aren’t into it anymore,” St. Martin said.

Whether you’re 20 pages in or 200 pages in, if you know that the book just isn’t for you, it’s OK to put it to rest and move on to a book you find more enjoyable.

“A lot of people feel like they have to stick with a book, even if it’s not really capturing their attention, or else they feel like a failure,” Loving said. “I say life is too short for that.”

“There are hundreds of thousands of books that you could be reading, so why read something that’s not speaking to you?” Weiss added.

Make the time

Many people think they don’t have time to read, St. Martin said, but one easy way to find time is to identify the minutes spent checking the news or social media between tasks and use those minutes to read instead.

“Even just that short amount of time is a good way to start,” she said.

If you’re out and about, Loving said, bring a book or download an ebook on your phone so that you can squeeze some reading in while you’re in line at the grocery store, in the waiting room at the doctor’s office or taking public transportation.

“If you’re really hooked on a book, you’ll see that no amount of time is too short,” she said. “You’ll be looking for every little moment to read because you won’t want to put it down.”

If you are able to set aside a more consistent time for reading each day, Harmon said, try to make it an “experience ” — something you look forward to — as opposed to an obligation. One way to do that is by finding a quiet reading space with comfortable seating and sufficient lighting. A cup of hot cocoa, coffee, tea or another hot drink is also a nice touch.

“Minimize distractions,” Harmon said. “Go to the bathroom, eat a snack, get a drink and get comfy.”

Listen up

If a sit-down reading time isn’t feasible, audiobooks may be the best option because they allow you to multitask.

“You can listen while doing boring chores, cooking, exercising, walking, driving,” Harmon said. “It makes the time pass faster … and you get some reading done.”

Audiobooks aren’t just convenient; they’re another way for readers to experience a story.

“Some books you might enjoy more on audiobook, some you might enjoy better reading — it depends,” St. Martin said. “If you’re reading a book and you’re not getting a good feel for it, listening to it on audiobook may make the imagery and characters and everything come alive for you.”

The narrator can make or break an audiobook, Harmon said, so try listening to a sample first, if possible. An over-dramatic or silly voicing of the characters; unfamiliar or odd word pronunciations; or insufficient pop filtering during the recording can be a dealbreaker, Harmon said, but a well-narrated audiobook can be magical.

“There are books I listened to as audiobooks that have become some of my favorite books, simply because the narrator added so much to it,” she said. “He can bring the characters to life in a way that my imagination wouldn’t have done.”

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Discover the classics

Local librarians shared 30 classic books that are worth reading outside of English class.

Recommended by Emily Weiss, head of reference services; Caitlin Loving, head of circulation; and Patricia Kline-Millard, reference librarian, at Bedford Public Library:

• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

• Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

• War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville

• Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

• Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

• White Fang by Jack London

• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

• Dune by Frank Herbert

• Blackout by Connie Willis

Recommended by Susan Harmon, information and technology librarian, and Rachel Stover, technical services assistant, at Manchester City Library:

• Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

• The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

• Beowulf by Unknown

• The Forever King by Molly Cochran

• Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut

• Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

• The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

• Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein

• Epic of Gilgamesh, author unknown, or Sin-Leqi-Unninni

• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

• The Giver by Lois Lowry

• The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Classics made easy

Caitlin Loving, head of circulation at Bedford Public Library, shared eight tips for enjoying classic books.

1. Simplify with an annotated edition. “They have detailed explanations of words, phrases, and period details that will enrich your understanding and reading experience,” Loving said. “For example, the annotated edition of Moby-Dick explains all of the obscure nineteenth-century whaling terms, which will definitely enhance your understanding of the story.”

2. Break it down. “Moby-Dick actually has short chapters, and it’s great to read it this way, and a lot of celebrated literature was serialized before it was collected in novel form,” Loving said.

3. Get academic. “You can take notes to keep characters straight and solidify your understanding, and you can look up words you don’t know,” Loving said. “If you’d like to get more formal about it, there are lectures available for free online.”

4. Read a nonfiction book about the book,such asOn Reading the Grapes of Wrath by Susan Shillinglaw, So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures by Maureen Corrigan, and Why Read Moby-Dick? by Nathaniel Philbrick. “These are often fairly short and can bring out aspects of the story you might have missed, or enhance your experience by diving deeper into it,” Loving said. “It’s almost like taking a class about the book or discussing it with a good friend.”

5. Listen to it on audiobook. “Hearing the story can provide greater comprehension,” Loving said, “and one advantage of classics is that there are often several different narrators to choose from so that you can select the voice that speaks to you.”

6. Try a graphic novel adaptation. “The visual aspect can add a lot to the experience,” Loving said. “While they are often abridged, it’s still a great way to read a classic, either to jog your memory, in addition to reading the full text, or just as a way to get to know more classics than you might have time for otherwise.”

7. Find a reading buddy. “You can gush about symbolism, commiserate over the extensive number of indistinguishable Russian surnames, and hold each other accountable for finishing books,” Loving said.

8. Don’t force it. “If you get 50 pages in … and you’re not into it, it’s okay to give up,” Loving said. “No one is grading you, and just because someone decided it belongs in the Western canon does not mean you are obligated to read it.”

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New books for new bookworms

Susan Harmon, information and technology librarian at Manchester City Library, shared 10 approachable new releases that have been popular at the library.

• Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

“A deeply ruminative story on depression, addiction, grief, loss, science, religion, faith and love. Readers were drawn in by the engaging and lyrical writing, and the strong character development. You’ll definitely cry.”

• The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson

“A well-researched, funny and deeply fascinating exploration of the human body. The writing style is conversational without making you feel talked down to.”

• The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

“This historical novel is … [an] authentic story of the Native American experience and fight for rights. Readers loved the engaging storytelling, vivid characters, fascinating historical elements and atmospheric tone.”

• The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson.

“A deeply compelling and immersive exploration of the day-to-day life of Churchill and his family during his first year as prime minister.”

• Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh

“An offbeat, comedic, and engaging collection of illustrated, biographical essays on topics ranging from childhood and very bad pets to grief, loneliness and powerlessness in modern life.”

• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

“Bennett has an incredible ability to weave together unforgettable characters, complex family drama, tragedy, romance, love and triumph. It’s a story of twin sisters who took two very different paths in life.”

• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

“This book is both fast-paced and deeply philosophical. The fantastic setting allows the author to engage playfully and profoundly with some heavy topics, but you won’t get bogged down.”

• The Guest List by Lucy Foley

“This murder mystery will keep you guessing until the end. There is suspense and action from page 1. Each small detail could be a clue, and each of the characters are as guilty as the rest.”

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

“This fantastic story explores a timeless theme: ‘Be careful what you wish for.’”

• The Last Traverse: Tragedy and Resilience in the Winter Whites by Ty Gagne

“An epic story of a daring rescue in the White Mountains [that] weaves the personal accounts of volunteer rescuers and survivors with fascinating weather and survival information. This well-researched page-turner will be hard to put down.”

Sarah St. Martin, systems librarian for GMILCS consortium of New Hampshire libraries, shared some other recently published titles that have appeal for newbie readers:

Celebrity memoirs

• The Answer Is … Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek

• Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld

• Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

From page to screen

• Battle of Brothers William and Harry— The Inside Story of a Family in Tumult by Robert Lacy and Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand (for fans of The Crown on Netflix)

• Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr (Virgin River on Netflix)

• 28 Summersby Elin Hilderbrand (based on the film Same Time Next Year)

• Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline (sequel to Ready Player One book and film)

Help yourself

• Personality Isn’t Permanent: Break Free from Self-Limiting Beliefs and Rewrite Your Story by Benjamin Hardy

• The New Rules of Aging Well: A Simple Program for Immune Resilience, Strength, and Vitalityby Frank Lipman

• Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty

Major page-turners

• All the Devils are Here by Louise Penny

• The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben

• Masked Prey by John Sandford

• One by One by Ruth Ware

• Walk the Wire by David Baldacci

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Reading reads

Still stumped on what to read? Find inspiration in these “books about books” recommended by Emily Weiss, head of reference services at Bedford Public Library.

• 1,001 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List by James Mustich

• The Books That Changed My Life: Reflections by 100 Authors, Actors, Musicians, and Other Remarkable People edited by Bethanne Patrick

• Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks. A Librarian’s Love Letters and Breakup Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence

• Howards End is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home by Susan Hill

• My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues by Pamela Paul

• Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My Year of Magical Reading by Nina Sankovitch

• The Toni Morrison Book Club by Juda Bennett, Winifred Brown-Glaude, Cassandra Jackson, and Piper Kendrix Williams

• What to Read and Why by Francine Prose

Get excited about

Summer Camp!

Your guide to day camps and their plans for this summer

Summer camps are back in business, from special interest camps for art, sports, academic enrichment, STEM and nature, to general interest camps with all kinds of games and activities.

With many camps limiting their capacity this year to allow for social distancing, now is the time to register if you want to secure a spot. Here, you’ll find camps with registration open now as well as camps with tentative plans and details to be announced in the coming months.

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

Breakthrough Manchester at the Derryfield School 2108 River Road, Manchester, 641-9426, breakthroughmanchester.org

What: Breakthrough Manchester offers middle school summer programming for Manchester middle school students who might not have the resources for summer camp enrollment, delivering a combination of rigorous academics and fun, high-energy summer experiences. Who: Sixth-grade students attending a Manchester middle school, with priority to those who have limited access to summer enrichment opportunities When: Monday through Friday, dates offered June 21 through July 30 (registration deadline is April 1) Cost: Free (includes transportation to and from the school, as well as breakfast and lunch)

College Preparation; Find Your Voice – Jump Start Your College Essay The Derryfield School, 2108 River Road, Manchester, 641-9426, derryfield.org/summer/college-prep–academic-programs

What: This intensive writing workshop is designed to create a space for local high schoolers to begin the creative process of drafting their college essay. The class will be run in person (potential for a virtual option in August if there is interest) with time spent sharing essay drafts as a group and individual time writing with guidance from the teacher. On the final day of the workshop, a college admissions officer will provide the college perspective on the personal statement and read essay drafts. Who: Students entering grades 11 and 12 When: Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., dates offered June 7 to June 11 or Aug. 9 to Aug. 13 Cost: $375

Kumon Math & Reading Center 128 S. River Road, Bedford; 505 W. Hollis St., No. 103, Nashua, 897-6194; 95 Brewery Lane, No. 8, Portsmouth, 427-8456; kumon.com

What: Each center offers an independent learning program for kids to freshen up their skills in math and reading. Topics covered in math include counting and number sequencing, fractions, order of operations, algebra, trigonometry and calculus. Topics covered in reading include vocabulary, phonics, sentence building and reading comprehension. Who: Preschool through high school When: The Bedford center is open Monday and Thursday, from 3 to 6 p.m. The Nashua center is open Wednesday, from 4 to 7 p.m., and Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m. The Portsmouth center is open Tuesday and Thursday, from 2 to 6 p.m. Cost: Varies; call your individual center for details

SAT/ACT Preparation The Derryfield School, 2108 River Road, Manchester, 641-9426, derryfield.org/summer/college-prep–academic-programs

What: Students will learn the universal strategies and components of the SAT and ACT, followed by individual recommendations. Classes will include one-on-one time with the instructor and group work. Students may register for verbal sessions, math sessions, or both. Who: Students entering grades 11 and 12 When: Verbal sessions run Monday through Friday from 9:15 to 11:45 a.m., and math sessions run from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m., dates offered June 14 to June 18, July 12 to July 16, or Aug. 9 to Aug. 13 Cost: Ranges from $375 for half-day sessions to $650 for full-day sessions

Thursday Mini-Camps – “We the People: Beyond the Battlefield American Independence Museum, 1 Governors Lane, Exeter, 772-2622, independencemuseum.org

What: Campers will immerse themselves in hands-on 18th century life, discovering the stories of the men and women who fought and won the American Revolution and their stories beyond the battlefield. Up to four sessions are available. Who: Ages 8 to 12 When: Sessions run Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., dates offered July 1, July 8, July 15 and July 22 Cost: $45 per day or $170 for all four sessions for museum members; $55 per day or $195 for all four sessions for non-members.

ART

Brainwave Summer Art and STEAM Camps The Nature of Things, 10 Groton Road, Nashua, 881-4815, tnotgroup.com/enrichment-center/summer.php

What: Themes include Canvas Painting & Drawing Plein Air, Duct Tape & Wire Sculpture Arts, Illustrate It, Lost Civilizations: From Culture-Building to Multimedia Museum Exhibit, Art Exploration: From Crayons to Pixels, Minecraft Art Heist: Widgets, Traps, & Redstone, Animate It, Start Up: Birth of a Brand, Lego Mind Palace, Cardboard Quest & Engineering, and Minecraft Around the Universe in 5 Days: Creative World Building & Architecture. Who: Ages 6 through 14 (varies by camp) When: Sessions run for one or two weeks, depending on the camp, Monday through Friday (no camp on Monday, July 5), 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 20 Cost: One-week camps range from $355 to $380, two-week camps are $725

Creative Ventures Gallery 411 Nashua St., Milford, 672-2500, creativeventuresfineart.com

What: Discovering Art in Nature camp includes drawing, painting and crafting a variety of art projects inspired by the outdoors. Who: Ages 8 through 12 When: Monday, Aug. 2, through Thursday, Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to noon Cost: $100

Kimball Jenkins School of Art 266 N. Main St., Concord, 225-3932, kimballjenkins.com/summer-arts-camp

What: Campers participate in indoor and outdoor art, history and engineering activities. Themes include Wild Animal Safari, Think Like an Artist, Fantasy & Fashion, Around the Campfire, Magic & Muggles, Travel the World and Bam! Wow! Pop Art! Who: Ages 6 through 17 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., dates offered June 28 through Aug. 20 Cost: $275 per week ($255 for members)

Studio 550 Pottery Camp Studio 550 Community Art Center, 550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com

What: Campers will learn to throw on a pottery wheel and hand-sculpt with clay. Who: Ages 10 through 16 When: Sessions will run Monday through Friday, with a morning option from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and an afternoon option from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Dates TBA. Cost: TBA

Wild Salamander Summer Camps Wild Salamander Creative Arts Center, 30 Ash St., Hollis, 465-9453, wildsalamander.com

What: A variety of art camps that work with a theme or concept, covering several art media, like painting, drawing, sculpting and fiber arts Who: Pre-K through Grade 8 When: Runs weekly, dates offered July 5 through Aug. 6 Cost: Registration will begin April 10; call for more details.

DANCE

Concord Dance Academy 26 Commercial St., Concord, 226-0200, concorddanceacademy.com/dance-camp

What: Camps teach a variety of dance styles, including tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, ballet, tumbling and musical theater. Other activities include arts and crafts, nature walks and scavenger hunts. Who: Ages 3 through 13 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a full day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a half day, dates offered July 19 through July 23, and July 26 through July 30 Cost: $250 for full day week, $150 for half day week, or $50 per individual full day and $30 per individual half day

Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater 19 Harvey Road, Bedford, 637-4398, snhdt.org What: Programs include Preschool Princess camp and Prima Ballerina camp (girls ages 3 through 5), the Young Dancers’ Program (ages 6 through 12) for beginner and intermediate dancers, and a three-week Summer Intensive (ages 10+) for serious dancers looking to challenge themselves. Who: Girls ages 3 and up When: Preschool camps run Tuesday through Thursday, July 6 through July 15, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Young Dancers Program runs Monday through Friday, July 19 through July 23, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Intensive runs Monday through Friday (with optional Saturday class), July 26 through Aug. 14, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost: $160 for Princess and Prima Ballerina camp (or $290 for both), $175 for Young Dancers Program; Intensive ranges from $550 to $1,250, depending on number of weeks

FILMMAKING

Triple Threat Film Camp Londonderry Dance Academy, 21 Buttrick Road, Londonderry, 432-0032, triplethreattheatercamp.com/audition-intensive

What: Campers will learn the process of making a film, including writing; camera, sound and lighting; directing, and editing. Who: Ages 8 to 18 When: Monday, July 5, through Friday, July 9, 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Cost: $275

Movie Making Camp SEE Science Center, 200 Bedford St., Manchester, 669-0400, see-sciencecenter.org/movie-making-camp

What: Campers will create an “Invention and Discovery” film using stop motion animation Lego bricks and minifigures. Working in groups, each camper will learn techniques of storyboarding, set design, construction, mini-figure casting and more. Who: Ages 8 to 12 When: Monday, Aug. 2, through Friday, Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $300

GENERAL INTEREST

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire Locations in Andover, Concord, Epsom, Holderness, Hopkinton, Laconia, Suncook, Sutton, Warner and Weare, 224-1061, centralnhclubs.org

What: Centers offer general camps and specialty camps, with activities like arts and crafts, water games, sports, field trips, cooking, hiking and more. Who: Grades 1 through 8 (varies depending on the camp location) When: Sessions run Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., dates offered June 14 through Aug. 27 Cost: Ranges from $135 to $200 per week

Boys & Girls Club of Manchester Camp Foster, Kidz Camp and Summer teen program, 36 Camp Allen Road, Bedford; Union Street Clubhouse, 555 Union St., Manchester; 625-5031, begreatmanchester.org

What: Activities at Camp Foster include swimming, playground time, arts and crafts, field games, athletics, hiking, boating and canoeing. Campers at Kidz Kamp (grades K and 1) and in the summer teen program (grades 8 through 12) will participate in similar activities and attend Camp Foster each afternoon. Who: Grades K through 12; membership required ($25) When: Sessions begin Monday, June 21, and end on Friday, Sept. 3 Cost: Ranges from $140 to $145 per week, plus a $25 membership fee ($10 membership fee only for the Summer Teen program).

Brentwood Recreation Day Camp 190 Route 125, Brentwood, hosted by the Brentwood Parks & Recreation Department, 642-6400, rec.brentwoodnh.gov/programs

What: Traditional day camp with activities like water and non-water games, arts and crafts, team-building activities, yoga and more. Who: Kids entering grades 1 through 6 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 20 (no camp on Monday, July 5) Cost: Call for details; registration is open now for both residents and non-residents, but is limited due to Covid-19 restrictions

Camp 603 507 Hall St., Bow, 568-8107, camp603.com

What: Activities include trips to Lake Winnisquam for waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing and other water sports; Mount Major, Mount Cardigan and other local mountains for days of hiking; and Hampton Beach for beach trips, swimming and more. Who: Ages 10 to 17 When: Weekly sessions run from Monday through Friday, dates offered July 6 through Aug. 6 (registration is limited) Cost: $660 for the first week, which is shortened due to the July 4 holiday; $825 for all other weeks

Camp Adventure Auburn Parks & Recreation, 483-5052, ext. 101, auburnnh.us/parks-and-recreation/pages/programs-events

What: During this full-day summer camp, kids will travel on multiple field trips throughout the state, including to the beach, lakes, water parks and more. Who: Kids entering grades 5 through 8 When: Two week-long sessions are offered, from Monday, July 26, through Friday, July 30, or from Monday, Aug. 2, through Friday, Aug. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (meet at the Auburn Safety Complex at 55 Eaton Hill Road) Cost: $279 for the full week (registration is open now to Auburn residents and will open on May 1 to non-residents if space is available.) If camp needs to be canceled due to Covid-19 restrictions, refunds will be issued to all registrants.

Camp Babuck Amherst Parks & Recreation Department, 673-6248, amherstnh.myrec.com

What: A traditional day camp with activities like arts and crafts, group games and sports. Each week is themed; this year’s themes include Spooky, Science, Olympics, Survivor and The Big Top Who: Grades 1 through 7 When: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 13 Cost: $215 per week for Amherst residents and $255 per week for non-residents. Extended before or after care is also available.

Granite Base Camp 300 Blondin Road, Manchester, 617-615-0004, experiencebasecamp.org

What: This outdoor day camp features hands-on activities for kids ages 6 to 10, such as hiking, ecology, archery, crafts, swimming, fishing and more. Specialty camps are also available for ages 11 to 14, featuring activities like mountain biking, kayaking and fort building. Who: Ages 6 to 14 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 28 to Aug. 13 (each activity depends on the week) Cost: $330 per week

Camp Coolio New Boston Central School, 15 Central School Road, New Boston, hosted by the New Boston Parks & Recreation Department, 487-2880, newbostonnh.gov

What: Activities include sports, games, crafts and more. There are six themed weeks throughout the summer. This year’s themes are Harry Potter Week, Animal Planet Week, Disney Week, Wacky Water Week, Destination Imagination, and Camp’s Got Talent Week. Who: Kids ages 6 to 12 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., dates offered June 28 through Aug. 6 (no camp on Monday, July 5) Cost: $225 per week (Week 2 is $180, as it is a shortened week)

Camp Gottalikeachallenge Southern New Hampshire University, 2500 N. River Road, Manchester, 868-2140, campgottalikeachallenge.org

What: A fast-paced adventure in problem-solving, hands-on learning and challenging activities. Campers will develop their creativity, critical thinking, leadership, confidence and teamwork. Who: Grades 4 through 9 When: Day camp session runs Monday, July 12, through Friday, July 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Cost: $350 ($315 if you register by March 31)

Camp Kettleford 26 Camp Allen Road, Bedford, hosted by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, 888-474-9686, girlscoutsgwm.org

What: Set on 30 wooded acres on the shore of Sebbins Pond, this traditional day camp features swimming, boating, archery, cooking out, horseback riding, day trips and more. Who: Girls entering grades K to 8 When: Weekly day camp sessions are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., dates offered July 5 through Aug. 13. Cost: $245 per week, or $475 for a two-week session. Financial assistance is also available.

Camp Lincoln 67 Ball Road, Kingston, 642-3361, ymcacamplincoln.org, hosted by Southern District YMCA, sdymca.org

What: Activities at the traditional day camps include swimming, sports, nature exploration, arts and crafts, archery, boating, ropes courses, pottery and mountain biking. Who: Age 3 through grade 9 When: Sessions run various days/weeks, beginning the week of June 21 and running through Aug. 27. See website for details Cost: Varies; starts at $275 for a one-week session

Camp Lovewell The Nature of Things, 10 Groton Road, Nashua, 881-4815, camplovewell.com

What: Campers will enjoy hiking, field games and sports, swimming, skits and songs, kayaking, arts and crafts, a ropes course and more. Who: Ages 6 through 14 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, dates offered June 21 through Aug. 20 (no camp on Monday, July 5) Cost: Ranges from $350 to $360 per week; extended care is also available

Camp Ponemah Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, 50 Emerson Road, Milford, 673-7123, ext. 272, hampshirehills.com/camp-ponemah

What: Day camps feature activities like swimming, tennis, crafts, dance parties, playgrounds, trails, games and more. Who: Campers entering kindergarten through seventh grade When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 14 through Aug. 27 (no camp on Monday, July 5) Cost: Varies, depending on camper’s age, membership status and the session duration. Multi-sibling discounts are also available

Camp Seawood 350 Banfield Road, Portsmouth, hosted by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, 888-474-9686, girlscoutsgwm.org

What: Set among pine forests, wetlands and wildlife, this traditional day camp features archery, cooking out, horseback riding, day trips, nature hikes and more. Who: Girls in grades K through 8 When: Weekly sessions run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., dates offered July 5 through Aug. 20. Cost: Starts at $245 for a one-week session, or $475 for a two-week session. Financial assistance is available.

Camp Souhegan Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, 56 Mont Vernon St., Milford, 672-1002, svbgc.org

What: Daily camp activities include swimming, theater arts, science and STEM programs, cooking, sports, dance and more, all centered around a different theme each week. Who: Grades K through 12 When: Weekly sessions run Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 23 Cost: $185 per week

Camp Starfish 12 Camp Monomonac Road, Rindge, 899-9590, campstarfish.org

What: Camp Starfish provides structured, nurturing and fun group programs to foster the success and growth of children with emotional, behavioral or learning problems. Who: Children ages 6 and up When: Sessions run various weeks, dates from June 22 to July 21 Cost: Rates vary depending on type of camp

Camp Witzel Bedford Parks & Recreation Department, 472-5242, bedfordreconline.com

What: A traditional day camp with activities like arts and crafts, sports, swimming and more. Each week is themed; this year’s themes include Animation Domination, Party in the USA, Edible Engineering, Jedi Training, Fun & Fitness, Aqua Adventure and Camper vs. Counselor Challenge Who: Ages 6 to 13 When: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 6 (no camp on Monday, July 5) Cost: Ranges from $115 to $245, depending on the number of days per week and the camper’s resident status, plus a one-time $25 registration fee

Candia Springs Adventure Camps Candia Springs Adventure Park, 446 Raymond Road, Candia, 587-2093, candiasprings.com/camp

What: Campers can enjoy all that the park has to offer by participating in themed weeks that focus on education, environment, exploration and leadership. Themes include Archery, Makers Week, Outdoor Living Skills and more. Who: Ages 8 to 12 When: Weekly sessions run Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 13 Cost: $249 per week

Concord Parks and Recreation City Wide Community Center, 14 Canterbury Road, Concord, 225-8690, concordnh.gov

What: Programs include Stay & Play Camp (grades 1 through 5), in which kids enjoy swimming, tennis, arts and crafts, field games and more; Adventure Camp (grades 3 through 8), in which campers will go on four-day trips to beaches, theme parks, hiking and kayaking destinations and more; Nature Camp (ages 5 to 8), in which campers can explore the park and create nature-based crafts); and Explorers Camp (ages 9 to 12), in which campers can explore the City of Concord’s trail system. Specialty camps in a variety of areas are also offered, such as soccer, basketball, TV/video production, dance, and STEM education Who: Grades 1 through 8 When: Most sessions run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 13 (no camp on Monday, July 5); Nature Camp sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are based out of the Lodge at White Park in Concord Cost: $150 per week for Concord residents and $160 per week for non-residents for Stay & Play Camp; $190 per week for Concord residents and $200 per week for non-residents for Adventure Camp; $160 per week for Concord residents and $170 per week for non-residents for Nature Camp and Explorers Camp (except for the week of July 6 to July 9 for Explorers Camp, which is $128 for Concord residents and $138 for non-residents).

Educational Farm Camp Educational Farm at Joppa Hill, 174 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford, 472-4724, theeducationalfarm.org

What: Campers will learn about animals, work in the garden, take nature hikes and help with farm chores. Who: Ages 4 through 11 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, half days for ages 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to noon, and full days for ages 6 through 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 13 Cost: $135 per half-day week, $250 per full-day week

Naticook Summer Day Camp Wasserman Park, 116 Naticook Road, Merrimack, hosted by Merrimack Parks & Recreation, 882-1046, merrimackparksandrec.org/naticook-day-camp

What: Campers enjoy swimming, boating, drama, group games, archery, nature exploration, sports, arts and crafts, special events and more. Who: Grades Pre-K through 9 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 20. Extended care is available from 7 to 8 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. Cost: $240 per week for residents, $290 per week for non-residents. Additional fees apply for extended care.

New Hampshire SPCA New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Learning Center, 104 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, 773-5730, nhspca.org

What: All camp activities are animal-themed, featuring games, crafts, baking, hands-on animal care, handling and feeding, service projects and more. There are three camp age ranges: Little Kids (ages 6 to 8), Big Kids (ages 9 to 12) and Teens (ages 13 to 15) Who: Ages 6 through 15 When: Camp weeks, dates and times TBA Cost: TBA

Pelham Parks & Recreation Pelham Veterans Memorial Park, 109 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Pelham, 635-2721, pelhamweb.com/recreation

What: The camp features activities like swimming, kayaking, beach play, volleyball, basketball, tetherball, relay games, wiffle ball, arts and crafts and more. Who: Ages 6 to 14 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, dates offered July 6 through Aug. 13 Cost: $475 per child for six weeks (may be limited to Pelham residents only due to the pandemic; a decision on that limitation is pending)

Strawbery Banke Museum Camps 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth, 433-1100, strawberybanke.org

What: Campers will explore the 10-acre outdoor history museum and participate in activities led by professional crafters, archaeologists, character role-players, curators and historians. Who: Ages 6 to 17 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offered various weeks from June 28 through Aug. 13 Cost: Ranges from $240 to $580, depending on the camp and the camper’s membership status

SummerQuest at World Academy 138 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, 888-1982, worldacademynh.com

What: Programs include arts and crafts, games, cooking activities and much more, all intended to encourage the child’s creativity and imagination. Who: Kindergarten through grade 8 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., dates offered June 14 through Aug. 20 Cost: Ranges from $310 to $340 per week

UNH Youth Programs and Camps University of New Hampshire, Thompson Hall, 105 Main St., Durham, 862-7227, unh.edu/youthprograms

What: More than 50 programs offered for academic enrichment, creative arts, athletics, STEM and traditional camp recreation. See website for a full list. Who: Boys and girls ages 5 and up When: Various dates/times from June through August Cost: Varies depending on the program

YMCA Allard Center of Goffstown Branch of The Granite YMCA, 116 Goffstown Back Road, Goffstown, 497-4663, graniteymca.org/daycamp

What: Camp Halfmoon (ages 6 to 10) and Camp Quartermoon (ages 4 and 5) feature activities like archery, swimming, creative arts, sports and more. Other programs include Discovery Camp (ages 6 to 11), Ultimate Sports (ages 6 to 11), and Mad Science (ages 8 to 11), plus camps in archery, swimming, cooking and more. Who: Ages 4 and up When: Sessions run Monday to Friday, offered various dates from June 21 through Aug. 27 Cost: Varies; call for details

YMCA Day Camp of Hooksett Hooksett Memorial School, 5 Memorial Drive, Hooksett,Branch of The Granite YMCA, 497-4663, graniteymca.org/camps

What: Campers participate in sports, archery, arts and crafts, nature, adventure and special themed days. Who: Ages 5 to 13 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 20 Cost: Varies; call for details

YMCA of Downtown Manchester Branch of The Granite YMCA, 30 Mechanic St., Manchester, 232-8632, graniteymca.org/camps

What: Kids at Camp Namoskeag (ages 6 to 14) will enjoy activities like swimming, field games, sports, arts and crafts and more. Each week has a different theme. Who: Ages 6 to 14 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Sept. 3 Cost: Varies; call for details

YMCA of Greater Nashua Nashua YMCA Branch, 24 Stadium Drive, Nashua, 882-2011; Merrimack YMCA Branch, 6 Henry Clay Drive, Merrimack, 881-7778; Camp Sargent, 141 Camp Sargent Road, Merrimack, 880-4845; nmymca.org

What: Camp Sargent is held on Lake Naticook and includes a traditional day camp and a variety of specialty camps, like Digging for Dinos (grades K through 2), Wild West Camp (grades K through 4), Harry Potter Camp (grades 3 through 6), Archery Camp (grades 5 through 9) and more. The Nashua Branch also has a Little Investigators Camp (ages 3 to 5). The Merrimack Branch day camps include a creative arts camp called Camp Create (grades 1 through 6), and specialty camps like Music Makers (grades 1 through 6), Dance Mania (grades 1 through 4), Skips and Scribbles (grades 1 and 2), and Creative Cooks (grades 1 through 6). Who: Ages 3 and up When: Most sessions run Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., various dates offered throughout the summer beginning the week of June 14 Cost: Camp Sargent is $210 per week for YMCA members and $275 per week for non-members. Specialty camps at the Merrimack branch are $235 per week for members and $300 per week for non-members. The Little Investigators Camp is $152 per week for members and $165 per week for non-members.

YMCA of Greater Londonderry Branch of The Granite YMCA, 206 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 437-9622, graniteymca.org/camps

What: Camp Pa-Gon-Ki (pre-K to grade 7) is a traditional day camp featuring creative arts, fort-building, archery, swimming, sports, theater, nature and adventure. Camps for teens include a trip camp, where campers will travel to fun attractions around New England. Who: Ages 5 and up When: Sessions run Monday to Friday, dates offered June 21 through Aug. 27 Cost: Varies; call for details

YMCA of Strafford County Branch of The Granite YMCA, 35 Industrial Way, Rochester; Camp Coney Pine, 63 Lowell St., Rochester; 332-7334, graniteymca.org/camps

What: Camp Coney Pine (ages 5 to 12) includes archery, creative arts, dance, group games, a ropes course, swimming, sports, fort-building and more. A variety of specialty camps new to 2021 are also available, like Mad Science (ages 7 to 11), Ultimate Sports (ages 7 to 11), Raw Arts (ages 6 to 11) and High Adventure (ages 7 to 12) Who: Ages 5 and up When: Sessions run Monday to Friday, dates offered June 21 through Sept. 3 Cost: Varies; call for details

YMCA of the Seacoast Branch of The Granite YMCA, 550 Peverly Hill Road, Portsmouth, 431-2334, graniteymca.org/camps

What: Camp Gundalow (ages 5 to 13) features nature exploration, swimming, a ropes course, sports, creative arts, dancing, fort-building, team-building activities, archery and more. There is also a four-week Leader in Training program for teens, introducing them to becoming leaders through effective communication, team-building and behavior management techniques. Who: Ages 5 to 15 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, dates offered June 21 through Sept. 3 Cost: Varies; call for details

MUSIC

Bedford Youth Performing Company Music Camps 155 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3894, bypc.org/2021-music-summer

What: Virtual Rock Band Camps allow campers to jam, collaborate and perform with fellow musicians over Zoom. A Recording Camp is also offered for grades 7 and up. Who: Grades 4 through 12 When: Rock Band for grades 4 through 6 offered July 26 through Aug. 6, with sessions held Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rock Band for grades 7 through 12 runs July 12 through July 16, with sessions held Monday through Friday, 4 to 9 p.m. Recording Camp runs Monday, Aug. 16, through Friday, Aug. 20. Cost: $250

Manchester Community Music School 2291 Elm St., Manchester, 644-4548, mcmusicschool.org/summer-camp

What: Programs include musical exploration sessions for students in either grades 1 through 3 or grades 4 through 6. Campers spend the week trying out different types of musical instruments and participating in musical games and music-making activities Who: Grades 1 through 6 When: Sessions are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, dates offered Aug. 2 to Aug. 6 for grades 1 through 3 and Aug. 9 to Aug. 13 for grades 4 through 6. Cost: $200

Nashua Community Music School Nashua Millyard, 5 Pine St. Ext., Nashua, 881-7030, nashuacms.org/summercamps

What: Themes for ages 8 through 12 include Musical Olympics, Rise Up & Create, Ukulele Camp, and Broadway Week. Themes for ages 4 through 7 include Fairy Tale Musical Mash-up and Music Around the World. Who: Ages 4 through 12 When: Dates offered June 21 through July 16 for ages 8 through 12, and July 19 through July 30 for ages 4 through 7, sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: $175

Walden School Young Musicians Program Dublin School 18 Lehmann Way, Dublin, 415-648-4710, waldenschool.org/young-musicians-program

What: A residency camp where campers will receive daily instruction in a supportive community of peers and mentors to hone their musical and creative skills and improvise and compose original works. Who: Ages 9 through 18 When: June 29 through Aug. 4; three-week or five-week sessions are available Cost: Call for details

NATURE

Beaver Brook Nature Camps 117 Ridge Road, Hollis, 465-7787, beaverbrook.org/education/summer-camp

What: Campers will enjoy hikes and outdoor exploring, campfire cooking and nature-themed games and activities. Who: Ages 4 through 16 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday (no camp on Monday, July 5) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (9 a.m. to noon for ages 4 and 5), dates offered June 21 through Aug. 6 Cost: Ranges from $132 to $285, depending on the camp

Farm, Field and Forest Camp The Nature of Things, 10 Groton Road, Nashua, 881-4815, cultivatingwild.com

What: This program is designed for the camper who loves animals and the outdoors. Campers will participate in the daily routine of a real working farm, learning about sustainability, healthy food, gardening and composting, and humane treatment and care of barn animals such as goats, chickens, donkey and alpaca. Who: Ages 7 through 13 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, dates offered July 12 through Aug. 13 Cost: Ranges from $350 to $360 per week; extended care is also available.

New Hampshire Audubon Nature Day Camps McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord; Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn; 224-9909, nhaudubon.org/education/nature-day-camp

What: Programs include a half-day Wonders Camp (ages 4 and 5) and a Discovery Camp (ages 6 through 9), featuring hikes, crafts, storytelling, games and live animal presentations. Themes include Buzz and Flutter, Be a Scientist, Survival, Marvelous Mammals, Aquatic Adventures, Digging in the Dirt, and Creatures of the Night Who: Ages 4 through 9 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday (no camp on Monday, July 5) from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 4 and 5 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ages 6 through 9, dates offered June 21 through Aug. 13. Cost: TBA

Outdoor Discovery Summer Camp Amherst Parks & Recreation Department, 673-6248, amherstnh.myrec.com

What: A camp focused on exploring the great outdoors. Each week is themed; this year’s themes include Eco-Zone, Trash to Treasure, Minute to Win It, Olympics and Castaway Who: Grades 1 through 7 When: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 13 Cost: $215 per week for Amherst residents and $255 per week for non-residents. Extended before or after care is also available.

WildQuest Camp Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia, 366-5695, prescottfarm.org/service/wildquest-day-camps/wildquest-summer-camp

What: Campers will participate in nature activities, animal and plant identification, arts and crafts, quests, games and hands-on learning. Themes include Survivor, Kids Can Cook, Nature Artists, Water Water Everywhere, Beyond the Myths, Mad Scientists, Creature Feature, A Little Bit of Everything and A Little Bit More Who: Ages 4 through 14 When: Sessions run Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 28 through Aug. 27 Cost: $235 per week

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Astronomy Camp Meeting House Montessori School28 Logging Hill Road, Bow, 227-9300, meetinghousemontessori.com

What: Through experiments, crafts and lessons, campers will learn about the solar system, the different phases of the moon, stars, constellations, comets, rockets, astronauts and more. Who: Ages 6 to 10 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., dates offered June 21 to Aug. 20 Cost: Call for details

Brainwave Summer Technology Camps The Nature of Things, 10 Groton Road, Nashua, 881-4815, tnotgroup.com/enrichment-center/summer.php

What: Themes include Lego Urban Planning and Minecraft Adventurecraft: Lost in the City. Who: Ages 6 through 8 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., dates offered July 12 through July 23 Cost: $380

Camp Invention Locations in Amherst, Londonderry and Strafford, 800-968-4332, invent.org

What: Campers participate in a variety of hands-on STEM activities led by local educators. Who: Grades K through 6 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, times vary depending on location, dates offered June 21 through July 2 and Aug. 2 through Aug. 6. Cost: Ranges from $235 to $260, depending on the camp location

FIRST Lego Invention Challenge Camp SEE Science Center, 200 Bedford St., Manchester, 669-0400, see-sciencecenter.org/camp-summer-science-first-lego-session-1

What: Campers use Lego Mindstorms robots in small teams to design, build and program autonomous robots. Who: Ages 9 to 14 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., dates offered July 19 through July 23 and Aug. 2 through Aug. 6 Cost: $300

iSpy Camp SEE Science Center, 200 Bedford St., Manchester, 669-0400,

What: Campers will learn about crime scene investigation and forensic science and espionage through hands-on activities. Who: Ages 8 through 13 When: Monday, July 26, through Friday, July 30, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $300

LEtGO Your Mind STEM Program Locations throughout New Hampshire, in Amherst, Bedford, Concord, Dover, Durham, Londonderry, Manchester, Nashua, New London, Pelham, Portsmouth, Salem and Windham, 731-8047, letgoyourmind.com/summer-2021-programs

What: Campers work in small groups on guided STEM-related building projects, including Lego building, as well as free-building time. Who: Ages 4 through 13 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (9 a.m. to noon for ages 4 and 5), dates offered June 21 through Aug. 20. Cost: Ranges from $185 to $355, depending on the camp

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center STEM Camp 2 Institute Drive, Concord, 271-7827, starhop.com/current-and-upcoming-programs

What: Themes include Coding, Programming and Robots; Blast Off; Junior Flyers on Earth and Beyond; Tech for Ecology; Wicked, Wild Weather; Discover the Dinosaurs; and Astronomy 101. Who: Ages 5 through 14, depending on the camp When: Sessions run Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 2 p.m., depending on the camp, dates offered are June 21 through Aug. 6 Cost: Ranges from $185 to $345, depending on the camp

SEE Science CenterSummer Science Camp 200 Bedford St., Manchester, 669-0400, see-sciencecenter.org/see-camps-programs

What: Campers will explore science topics through hands-on activities. Themes include Electrifying Electricity, Chemical Concoctions, Exhibit Design Lab, and Reverse Engineering. Who: Ages 7 to 13 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., dates offered July 12 to July 16 and Aug. 9 through Aug. 13 Cost: $300

Seacoast Science Center 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye, 436-8043, ext. 16, seacoastsciencecenter.org/programs/environmental-day-camps

What: In Treks 4 Tots (ages 4 and 5) and Seaside Safari (grades K through 5), campers will explore the different habitats in Odiorne Point State Park as well as the live animal exhibits and hands-on exhibits in the center to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Safari Stewards (grades 6 through 8) is a field trip program. Each session will have its own theme. A marine biology camp is also available for high school students. Who: Age 4 and up When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (half-day option available for Treks, from 9 a.m. to noon), dates offered June 21 through Aug. 27. 14 Cost: Ranges from $250 to $400, depending on the camp. Single day options also available for some camps.

Space and Astronomy Camp North End Montessori School698 Beech St., Manchester, 621-9011, northendmontessori.com

What: Campers will have the chance to explore the solar system, stars, asteroids, gravity, space travel and more. Sessions of two days, three days or five days per week are offered Who: Ages 3 to 10 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., dates offered June 21 to Aug. 27 Cost: Ranges from $85 to $240 per week, depending on the number of sessions

SPORTS

Caramba Skills Soccer Camp Locations in Concord, Nashua, Chichester and Gilmanton, 496-3579, soccerskillscamp.org

What: Soccer program specializes in skill development for goaltenders, defenders, midfielders and strikers. Players are divided by age for the first half of the day, then by ability level for the second half. A high school preseason camp is also offered. Who: Grades 1 through 12 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, times vary depending on the location (half-day option available), dates offered July 12 through Aug. 5 Cost: Starts at $125 per week (price increases after March 20)

Challenger Sports Soccer Camps Various NH locations, 401-864-8880, challengersports.com

What: Campers will develop core soccer skills and understanding of the game as well as sportsmanship and leadership skills. Who: All ages When: Sessions run Monday to Friday Cost: Varies, depending on the type of camp and the location

Health Club of Concord Camps10 Garvins Falls Road, Concord, 224-7787, healthclubofconcord.com

What: Programs include basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, field games, arts and crafts and group activities. Who: Ages 5 to 12 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., dates offered June 21 to Aug. 20 Cost: Call for details

NH Climbing & Fitness 10 Langdon Ave., Concord, 715-9171, nhclimbinggym.com/camp

What: Programs include Summer Indoor Camp (ages 6 to 12), in which campers can learn basic top-rope climbing, and NH Adventure Camp (ages 10 and up), in which campers take hiking-based field trips across the state. Who: Ages 6 and up When: Sessions for the Summer Indoor Camp are held Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., dates offered June 28 through Aug. 20. Sessions for NH Adventure Camp are held Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., dates offered June 28 through Aug. 20 (climbing gear is included). Cost: Summer Indoor Camp is $260 per week. NH Adventure Camp is $460 per week.

Foster’s Golf Camp Derryfield Park, 581 Bridge St., Manchester, 622-1553, fostersgolfcamp.com

What: Campers travel to different par-3 courses across New Hampshire and participate in practice clinics, chipping and putting contests, time on the driving range and at least nine holes of golf with instruction. Trophies and certificates are awarded at the end of the session. Drop-offs and pick-ups are at Derryfield Park. Golf camps take place at a variety of locations, depending on the day of the week. Who: Ages 7 to 16 of all experience levels When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 27 Cost: $295 per week

Granite State Lacrosse Camp Joppa Hill Fields, 176 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford; 867-9421, granitestatelacrosse.com

What: Boys of all abilities and positions will learn lacrosse skills and take part in full-field games to work on team concepts taught earlier in the day. Each camp also features a goalie school. Who: Boys ages 5 to 17 When: Three sessions run from Monday through Thursday, dates offered June 28 to July 1, July 12 to July 15 and July 26 to July 29 Cost: $195 per session

Junior Fitness Camp Executive Health and Sports Center, 1 Executive Way, Manchester, 624-9300, ext. 206, ehsc.com

What: Campers receive instruction in tennis, golf and basketball and will take classes in yoga, Zumba and healthy eating. They also participate in group exercise classes, arts and crafts, team games and outdoor pool. Who: Ages 5 through 12 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 13 Cost: Call for details

NH Tomahawks Girls Lacrosse Camp Back River Sports Complex, 15 Camp Allen Road, Bedford; Joppa Hill Fields, 176 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford; girls.nhtomahawks.com

What: Players will be divided by position, age and ability, and will focus on improving fundamental skills in lacrosse, including offensive moves, shooting, cutting, feeding and one-on-one defense. Goalies will have specific training and integrate in with the rest of the camp for game play. Who: Girls ages 5 to 17 When: Three weekly sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon this year, dates offered Monday, June 28, through Thursday, July 1; Monday, July 12, through Thursday, July 15; and Monday, July 26, through Thursday, July 29 Cost: $175 for each session

Nike Basketball Camps Locations in Derry, Hampton, Manchester and Nashua, 800-645-3226, ussportscamps.com/basketball/nike

What: Camp for basketball players who want to improve their skills. Includes lectures, team games and daily emphasis on fundamental development. Who: Co-ed ages 8 through 16 When: Most sessions run Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 6 (varies depending on the location) Cost: Ranges from $285 to $325, depending on the session and location

Pro Ambitions Hockey Day Camps Tri-Town Ice Arena, 311 W. River Road, Hooksett; Conway Arena, 5 Stadium Drive, Nashua; proambitions.com

What: At the Battle Camp, players learn skating skills and game theory elements while engaging in a situational battle. The Boston Bruins Camp features training in all aspects of ice hockey, plus daily appearances and autograph sessions with members of the Boston Bruins organization. A goaltending camp is also offered. Who: Ages 6 through 16 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., dates offered July 5 through July 23. See website for full schedule Cost: Generally ranges from $549 to $699, depending on the camp

THEATER

Bedford Youth Performing Co. 155 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3894, bypc.org/dance-musicaltheatre

What: Preschool camps are offered for ages 3 through 6 with themes including Kindermusik, At the Circus, In Motion, Outdoor Discovery, Super Heroes. Camps offered for ages 6 through 13 include a Moana Production, Taste of Broadway, Acro Circus, Finding Nemo Production and Musical Theatre Performer’s Tool Kit. Who: Ages 3 through 13. When: Preschool camps run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., dates offered June 14 through Aug. 6. Other camps run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m., dates offered June 21 through Aug. 20. Cost: $250 for preschool camps, $295 for all other camps

The Derryfield School Repertory Theatre Camp 2108 River Road, Manchester, 641-9426, derryfield.org/summer/theatre-camp

What: Campers will practice acting, singing, dance, script writing and improvisation techniques and participate in performance opportunities. Who: Grades 3 through 12 When: Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., dates offered July 5 through July 30 Cost: $575

The Majestic Theatre 880 Page St., Manchester, 669-7469, majestictheatre.net

What: Campers will learn the basics of music, theater and dance. Themes include Time Machine: Around the World and Beyond; It’s a Jungle; Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure; and Bots: A New Children’s Musical. Who: Ages 5 through 14, depending on the camp When: Days and times vary, depending on the camp, dates offered July 5 through Aug. 7 Cost: Ranges from $160 to $325, depending on the camp

Merrimack Summer Stage Wasserman Park Theater, 116 Naticook Road, Merrimack, hosted by Merrimack Parks & Recreation, 882-1046, merrimackparksandrec.org/merrimack-summer-stage What: Campers will learn about scene acting, vocal work, dance and creative movement, theater games and improvisation and work together to produce and perform Disney’s Aladdin Jr. Who: Ages 8 through 14 When: Monday, July 12, through Friday, July 16, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $200 for Merrimack residents and $210 for non-residents. Sibling discounts are also available.

Triple Threat Theater Camp Londonderry Dance Academy, 21 Buttrick Road, Londonderry, 432-0032, triplethreattheatercamp.com

What: Camps focus on the core aspects of theater, including acting, dancing and voice. Led by experienced theater educators, directors and choreographers, campers will participate in workshops and rehearsals to prepare for a public performance at the end of the session. Who: Ages 5 1/2 to 17 When: Three-week program for ages 7 through 17 runs July 12 through July 30, 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. A Junior Program for ages 5 1/2 through 9 is offered Monday, July 12, through Friday, July 16, 8:45 a.m. to noon Cost: $175 for Junior Program, $825 for three-week program.

Details to come

The following camps have confirmed that they will be hosting a camp but the details have yet to be announced. Call or visit their websites for up-to-date information.

• Barbara C. Harris Episcopal Camp (108 Wally Stone Lane, Greenfield, 547-3400, bchcenter.org/camp) General interest camp. Details TBA on its website by March 31.

• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua (1 Positive Place, Nashua; Camp Doucet, Ridge Road, Nashua; 883-1074, bgcn.com) General interest camp. Details TBA.

• Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St., Concord, 228-1196, ccmusicschool.org) Music camp. Details TBA.

• Nashua Parks and Recreation (589-3370, nashua.recdesk.com/community/home) General interest camp. Details TBA on its website this month.

• Peacock Players Theatre Camp (Nashua, 886-7000, peacockplayers.org) Theater camp. Details TBA.

• Project SMART (University of New Hampshire, 46 College Road, Durham, 862-3205, smart.unh.edu) Academic enrichment camp with a focus on math and science. Details TBA.

Featured photo: Camp Lovewell. Courtesy photo.

14 ways to spread a little happiness this Valentine’s season

This Valentine’s Day, spread the love without spreading Covid with these acts of kindness that you can do right from home (or just outside your home). From leaving a small gift in your mailbox for your mail carrier to giving the critters in your backyard a place to escape the cold, here are 14 ways to bring some joy to family and friends, local businesses, and people and animals in need, all from a safe distance.

By Matt Ingersoll & Angie Sykeny

Purchase a wish list item for a local charity

For a more personal way to lend a hand than just donating money, most charities in the Granite State will post a “wish list” accessible on their website, kept up to date with items of the greatest need. Some also provide a link to an Amazon Wish List page as well — items can be ordered online and shipped directly to that organization’s address.

Marguerite’s Place, for instance, a transitional living program in Nashua for women and children in crisis, is in need of basic home essentials like laundry detergent, towels, trash cans and storage bins. The full wish list is available to view on the website, according to director of development and public relations Christa Tsechrintzis, with an additional link to Amazon to help you choose the right product brands.

The Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, office administrator Teri Gladstone said, is in the greatest need of boots, ski gloves, jackets and other hand, foot and body warmers.

“Due to Covid restrictions by the CDC, we can only accept brand new clothing items,” she said. Items can be shipped to its temporary location, at the First Congregational Church of Concord.

Pick up litter

Show some love to the environment by picking up litter around your neighborhood. “Picking up litter not only helps make the environment safer and healthier for people, but also for the plants and animals in the community,” said Kimberly McCloy of Litter Crew (littercrew.com), a group of New Hampshire residents who are working to make the state litter-free. “Even if you only spend five minutes a day, it will make a noticeable difference.” All you need is some gloves and a trash bag, she said, and beware of any litter that could be hazardous to you, such as needles or any items that have been in contact with bodily fluids. “You can contact your local authorities to come dispose of these items safely,” McCloy said.

Send a care package overseas

Make the day of an Army, Navy or other military branch member from New Hampshire who is currently serving overseas by assembling and sending your own special care package.

Deborah Luszey of Operation Care for Troops, a nonprofit based in Nashua, has worked to send care packages out to local troops since around 17 years ago, when her son was first deployed to Iraq.

She said the process starts with obtaining a flat rate shipping box — you can order military service kits online for free from the United States Postal Service and have them shipped directly to you. The kits include address labels, custom envelopes and enough tape for six boxes.

Many of the most requested contents you can fill your care package with may also be items you already have in your home.

“It’s usually very dry where they are, so a lot of times you can put some lotions or some hydration products in the box,” Luszey said. “Food is also a great thing, so things like protein bars, beef jerky, peanut butter, coffee [and] tea. We’ve done canned fruit. … Zip-lock bags can be good, because you can roll them up tight and oftentimes they’ll reuse them for other things.”

You could even include a handwritten letter, or puzzles cut out of newspapers or magazines.

“Anything you can do to just give them five minutes where they can be somewhere else from where they are,” she said. “You can get friends or your kids to draw pictures … and put that stuff on top so that it’s the first thing they see when they open it up.”

Although Operation Care for Troops organizes several bulk shipping events, the next of which is scheduled for late March at the Hudson Fire Department’s Burns Hill Road fire station, care packages can be sent at any time. More details can be found at octnh.org, or you can email Luszey directly at [email protected].

Foster a pet

If you want to help a pet in need but don’t have the means to give it a forever home, consider fostering, which allows you to care for an animal at your home temporarily until it gets adopted or can return to the shelter. Since kittens cannot be sold or adopted until they are at least eight weeks old, according to New Hampshire law, foster homes are most commonly needed for pregnant and mother cats and their kittens until the kittens are old enough to return to the shelter and be put up for adoption.

“In order to provide for these kittens and nursing feline mothers, we need a strong cadre of foster homes ready and able to take these creatures into their homes,” says the New Hampshire Humane Society website.

Fostering protocol varies from shelter to shelter, but the most standard requirements are that you own your home or have permission from your landlord to foster a pet; any other pets currently living in your home are up to date on their vaccinations; and you have a space where you can secure the foster pets from other pets or young children in your home. Check with your local animal shelter to see if they have any pets in need of foster homes.

Buy Girl Scout cookies for someone

It’s Girl Scout cookie season, and this year for the first time you can also get Girl Scout cookies delivered through GrubHub. Go to girlscoutcookies.org, where you can enter in any street address for them to be shipped to.

“[The cookies] are $5 per package, with proceeds staying right in the troop you ordered from,” said Ginger Kozlowski, communications manager of the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains.

She said it normally takes anywhere between two and 15 business days for your shipped order to arrive at its destination.

The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains also has a Gift of Caring program, which gives you the opportunity to buy cookies to donate to military service members and hometown heroes, like firefighters, police officers and EMTs. Visit girlscoutsgwm.org for details.

Knit for a cause

Use your knitting or crocheting skills to help someone in need. New Hampshire volunteer groups like Neighbors Helping Newborns, Stitching up the World and the New Hampshire chapters of Project Linus collect donations of handmade knitted and crocheted items like blankets, caps, scarves and shawls and distribute them to patients at local cancer centers, premature babies at local hospitals and children dealing with illness or trauma. “We’ve had people as far away as Arizona donate hats for cancer patients,” Stitching up the World’s website states. “We gladly accept completed items and will make sure they get to the proper destination.” If you need some inspiration, the groups also have a variety of patterns for knitted and crocheted items online.

Donate life

There are more than 5,000 people in New England waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, according to the Donate Life New England website. Registering to be an organ donor means that, in the event of your death, your organs could add years of life or provide a better quality of life to as many as 50 people. If you aren’t yet registered, you don’t have to wait until the next time you renew your driver’s license or go to the DMV in person; you can do it right from home in minutes online at dmv.org/nh-new-hampshire/organ-donorregistering. Not only could you be helping people in need of an organ transplant, but you could also, in a different way, be helping your grieving loved ones, said Susan Diggins, RN, Quality Management Coordinator of the Center for Quality & Safety at Southern New Hampshire Health. “We understand [a death] is a difficult time for family members,” Diggins said, “but knowing their loved one’s death may help another person brings some level of comfort to them.”

Leave a gift for your neighborhood mail carrier

Even though ethics guidelines prohibit postal employees from accepting cash from customers, or any gifts with a value greater than $20 per household, there are still all kinds of small gestures you can make to show your gratitude for your local mail carrier.

“We have seen a swell recently in homemade cards and window or lawn signs, sometimes created by children … to show their appreciation,” said Steve Doherty, strategic communications specialist for the United States Postal Service’s Northeast Region. “Around the holidays many people will reward their carrier with a small gift, such as a mug or tie, or a gift card to a local restaurant or coffee shop.”

If you know your neighborhood letter carrier personally, Doherty said, treats like home baked goods or store-bought candy can make good gifts. In the past year homemade masks, small hand sanitizer bottles and even rolls of toilet paper have become common, he said.

Talk on the phone to someone stuck at home

You can help someone who has experienced loneliness from the pandemic just by picking up the phone and talking to them — in fact, that’s exactly one of the tasks you can volunteer to perform through the CareGivers, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire that services clients over the age of 62 in the Greater Manchester and Nashua areas.

They’re known as reassurance calls, according to CareGivers executive director Jim Wilkie, and they’re one of several volunteer opportunities you can sign up for, in addition to sending birthday cards to clients, delivering groceries to their doorstep and driving them to medical appointments.

“With the pandemic, we’ve recognized the need to really reach out to our clients that have been stuck at home and feeling really isolated,” Wilkie said.

He said volunteers may be given a short list of phone numbers of clients who have expressed interest in receiving calls, talking once or a few times a week and building relationships.

“We always hear these little narratives … from people sharing their happy moments and just talking about their lives,” he said.

Have a meal delivered to a family member or essential worker

Give a relative, friend or essential employee the gift of delicious food right on their doorstep. Local Baskit in Concord is offering online options for gift meals to be delivered to local health care workers and first responders, as well as to tip delivery drivers — go to shop.localbaskit.com and click the “tipping/donation” tab for details. Owner Beth Richards said she’s arranged for meals to be delivered to employees at Concord Hospital and at Merrimack County Nursing Home in Boscawen, as well as to the local fire department.

“It can be either a meal kit or prepared food option from one of the selections that we have that week,” Richards said of the available meals.

Ding Dong Deliver, a ghost kitchen launched last year by Great New Hampshire Restaurants, provides ready-to-heat meal packages to all addresses in Manchester and Bedford.

“We’ve seen a lot of people with older parents who aren’t going out do dinner use Ding Dong Deliver, and even Realtors who gift the meals to new homeowners,” said Nicole Barreira, director of marketing and menu development for Great New Hampshire Restaurants. Deliveries are made on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, between 1 and 5 p.m.

Make backyard friends

Show some kindness to the critters in your yard by providing them with places to shelter. According to research by the UNH Cooperative Extension provided by Natural Resources Field Specialist Wendy Scribner, there are around 45 species of birds and mammals in New England that use cavities in trees and other wood materials and structures for denning, roosting and nesting. You can lay out some logs or brush piles, or install a birdhouse or bat house.Bats can be a bit picky, so if you’re new to bat houses, be sure to do some research first. (Scribner recommends Bat Conservation International as a resource for building, buying and installing bat houses; visit batcon.org/about-bats/bat-houses.) Making your property more hospitable to wildlife benefits not only the animals, Scribner said, but also yourself if you’re someone who enjoys having nature around. “There is joy in being able to watch wildlife, birds, and, yes, the squirrels too, and feel that you are helping them,” she said. “Most of all, you will enjoy the opportunity to see and appreciate the creatures with whom you share your land.”

Order a personalized gift basket

You don’t need a special reason to show a friend, family member or even your local mail carrier that you appreciate them. Caring Gifts in Concord takes orders for its own specialty or customized gift baskets and packages for all occasions, including “just because.”

“People can call or email us … and we ask them how much they want to spend, or maybe they give us a dollar amount, and then we go from there,” shop co-owner Donna Mark said. “We can ship nationwide and we deliver within the greater Concord and Manchester area.”

The shop has several of its own themed baskets and packages to choose from that will often feature foods or personal care items — a movie lover’s package, for instance, features a jumbo popcorn box filled with caramel corn, chips, candy and cookies, while others can include wine bottles, crackers, bath gels, soaps and more.

“We recently did one for a corporate gathering where we shipped small bottles of sparkling cider or Champagne and different snacks … and they enjoyed them during a cocktail party they had over Zoom,” Mark said, “so they really can be for any occasion.”

The Manchester Craft Market, a store located inside the Mall of New Hampshire, features all kinds of locally made items that can also be shipped as gifts, according to owner Jessica Moores, including cookie mixes, jams and jellies, teas and coffees, maple products and more. Sellers post details on their items to a public Facebook group, which can be accessed through the shop’s website. Pop-up Facebook live sales are often featured too.

Make a mask

What better way to show someone you care during a pandemic than with a homemade mask? Seacoast Mask Makers, a group of New Hampshire volunteers who made masks for medical facilities and essential businesses when masks were in short supply, has written instructions and photo and video tutorials on its website for simple, pleated, and nose-fitting cloth masks. With some super basic sewing skills, you can make a simple mask with just a nine-inch by 12-inch piece of cotton fabric in a color or design you think your recipient would like, and a seven-inch-long piece of rope elastic or flat elastic. (For a pleated mask, you’ll need an eight-inch by 14-inch piece of fabric, and for a nose-fitting mask you’ll also need some flat plastic twist ties.) Visit seacoastmaskmakers.org/get-involved/#mask-making for the full instructions and tutorials and other mask-making information and resources.

Cherish memories

Send someone you’re missing this Valentine’s Day a personalized photo card or gift. “We are oftentimes reminding our customers that many photos they have on their phones … of friends, children, and events are memory makers that can make wonderful gifts for family and friends,” said Michael St. Germain, owner of Concord Photo Service. Through Concord Photo Service and other local shops that offer photo services, you can place an order online to turn your digital photos into a print, collage, canvas wall art or photo book, or have them printed on mugs, jewelry, T-shirts, calendars, ornaments and even face masks. “Items as simple as a custom card with a photo on the front can tell a story that we have forgotten,” Germain said.

Local animal shelters with foster programs
• New Hampshire Humane Society (Laconia, 524-3252, nhhumane.org/adopt/foster)
• Salem Animal Rescue League (893-3210, sarlnh.org/foster)
• Pope Memorial SPCA (Concord, 856-8756, popememorialspca.org/volunteer)
• Humane Society for Greater Nashua (889-2275, hsfn.org/get-involved/volunteer)
• Manchester Animal Shelter (628-3544, manchesteranimalshelter.org/fosterform)
• Greater Derry Humane Society (434-1512, derryhumanesociety.com/we-need-volunteers/fostering-a-rescue-animal

And for your sweetheart…
There may still be time for you to get your Valentine’s Day reservations or takeout orders in – visit hippopress.com for our annual dine-in and takeout listings at local restaurants, candy shops, bakeries and more. Be sure to call or visit a participating eatery’s website directly for the most up-to-date availability.

Knitting and crocheting charity groups
• Neighbors Helping Newborns (serves southern New Hampshire, 382-8504, neighborshelpingnewborns.org, donations will be held until March due to pandemic)
• Project Linus (projectlinus.org; facebook.com/nhseacoastprojectlinus; facebook.com/projectlinussouthwestnewhampshire; drop-off locations in Candia, Derry, Raymond, Concord, Goffstown, Henniker, Hooksett, Manchester, Milford, Nashua, the Seacoast and other parts of the state.
• Stitching Up the World (based in Candia, 587-0603, candiawomansgroup.org/stitching)

Photo prints and gifts
• Concord Photo Service (31 N. Main St., Concord, 225-5891, concordphotoservice.com)
• Hunt’s Photo & Video (4 Vinton St., Manchester, 606-3322, huntsphotoandvideo.com)
• Chris Digital Photo Print (346 Merrimack St., Manchester, 264-6205, chrisdigitalphotoprint.business.site)
• EverPresent (99 Rockingham Park Blvd., Salem, 435-2202; 1301 Elm St., Manchester, 819-5182; 800 Islington St., Portsmouth, 967-4385; everpresent.com)

Elopements and micro weddings are the next big, er, small thing

Dreams of elaborate weddings with hundreds of guests were dashed for many brides and grooms in 2020. As the pandemic took hold, social distancing restrictions made large gatherings impossible. And while some couples postponed their vows altogether, others reined in their plans and slashed their guest lists, opting for either an elopement, with no guests, or what has become known as a micro wedding, which usually includes about 15 people or fewer.

“Micro weddings definitely became a lot more popular [during the pandemic],” said Lauren Ingle, a wedding planner based in Manchester who ended up planning more than three dozen elopements and micro weddings last year and has 12 booked so far in 2021. “It’s definitely … the new norm at this point.”

“When Covid hit, a lot of people realized they didn’t want to postpone their wedding,” said Tatiana Cicuto, a justice of the peace and co-owner of Top of the Ridge Farm in New Durham, which just opened last spring and has since hosted several micro weddings and elopements. “Some decided, let’s get married now and have a [bigger] celebration later.”

For every wedding that was downsized that Ingle and Cicuto were part of, the end result was overwhelmingly positive.

“In my experience so far, [all of the couples] have been very happy to have something small and private,” Cicuto said.

“All of my micro weddings have been just as special and beautiful,” Ingle said. “Honestly, they seem even more intimate and beautiful.”

Elopement vs. micro wedding

“I think a lot of people have different ideas of what a micro wedding is,” Cicuto said.

To her, an elopement is two people and an officiant, and a micro wedding is, well, small.

“What that small means, the number, is really subject to interpretation,” she said.

She thinks of micro weddings as 10 or 15 people, though some venues in New Hampshire that offer micro weddings will include up to 25 people.

Ingle, who offers packages that range from elopement to extravagant, agrees that an elopement is typically just the couple and the officiant.

“It’s usually just exchanging of the vows and then the couple goes out for dinner, or goes up to a cabin up north [for the night],” Ingle said.

She said elopements can include elements like bouquets, a photographer, an arbor and Champagne so it “feels like something more than just going to town hall.”

Micro weddings, on the other hand, include almost all of the elements of a larger wedding but on a smaller scale — think sweetheart cake rather than a four-tier cake, appetizers rather than a four-course meal, and an amp that plays preloaded music rather than a live band.

Micro details

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to micro wedding details, though — if the couple still wants a live band or a four-course meal for their small group, that can be arranged.

Cicuto likes to work closely with couples so their micro weddings are exactly what they want them to be.

“This couple who got engaged, they decided to get married three weeks later,” she said. “They came to us and said, ‘We know it’s crazy, but can we get married [in three weeks]?’ … They wanted it outside on a Tuesday in July. … We said, ‘Yes, of course we can get it done!’”

Cicuto said the couple was very flexible and understood that in three weeks they couldn’t get, say, blue tulips in the middle of July. She worked with them to plan their music and their flowers and set up vignettes around the property, like an antique tub filled with ice and drinks. The couple brought in their own caterer and photographer.

“It was a very collaborative approach,” Cicuto said. “There were some things they chose not to have … but otherwise it was a normal wedding. It wasn’t missing anything critical.”

Likewise, Ingle created exactly the wedding that Rachel and Steele Hudson wanted (that’s according to the bride herself — see her wedding story on p. 22), even though they had to downsize from a 100+-person wedding in Jackson to a micro wedding with 12 people.

“She ended up not getting many deposits back from some vendors, so it had to be pretty small and affordable,” Ingle said.

Ingle was able to take the elements of the Hudsons’ original wedding and scale it down.

“It was the most magical day,” Ingle said.

Less stress, less money

One of the benefits of a micro wedding (or an elopement, for that matter) is that it’s usually a lot easier to plan than a large wedding — for the couple who wanted to get married in three weeks, anything bigger than a micro wedding would have been next to impossible for Cicuto to plan in that amount of time.

Cicuto herself enjoyed a stress-free micro wedding last month, marrying Gino in December at their B&B with just an officiant and their two kids, who were holding up phones so friends and family around the world could watch.

“We had been together for such a long time, and my now husband said, ‘You know, 2020 has been such a crap year, let’s end it on a good note,’” Cicuto said.

They made sure the kids could come that Sunday and made a cake the day before.

Rachel Hudson wanted even less involvement in the planning of their micro wedding.

“She was sick of planning,” Ingle said. “She didn’t want to deal with the stress of re-planning a whole wedding.”

So Ingle and Hudson’s maid of honor took over and left her out of everything — including where the wedding was going to take place.

“She was actually blindfolded on her way up to the venue,” Ingle said. “She didn’t have to lift a finger.”

Aside from less planning, the day itself is less stressful too.

“It was seven minutes and done,” Cicuto said of her nuptials.

Hers may be an extreme example, but both Ingle and Cicuto have found that micro weddings have fewer high-blood-pressure moments.

“[The couple] can sit back and relax and enjoy their friends and family, as opposed to having to say hi to 150 people,” Ingle said. “[That] can be overwhelming. … With a smaller wedding, it’s just so laid back and relaxed.”

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of eloping or having a micro wedding is how much less expensive it is, mainly because you’re not providing food and entertainment for a huge group of guests, but also because the fancy, costly details are less important when you’re not trying to impress that huge group.

“A lot of couples have come to terms with the fact that some things are not needed,” Cicuto said.

Ingle said a lot of the couples she worked with were relieved once they transitioned to an elopement or a micro wedding.

“I’m saving so much money now, and I’m not having to invite all these people and plus ones that I’ve never met,” Ingle said. “Moving forward, I think these smaller weddings are going to be more popular.”

Wedding Packages

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A 2020 wedding story

Rachel Hudson (formerly Prescott) shares her experience of being a bride in 2020. She and her husband, Steele, got married Dec. 18.
I had always wanted a winter elopement, just the two of us, and then … a big party with friends and family after the fact. He wanted a summertime wedding with as many people … as possible. We ended up compromising and decided on a big winter wedding [at the] Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield. … Then Covid hit.
Over the months more and more guests dropped out. … It got to the point where I started to dread the wedding. I had nightmares about an empty ballroom and an even more empty dance floor. … When we got down to about 25 guests — including the wedding party — we decided to cancel. The venue couldn’t lower the minimum guest count any further, [and] too many of our closest friends and family couldn’t be there. We were desperately holding on to the few shreds of the big fun wedding we wanted, and we knew no matter what happened we wouldn’t be able to save it. … We canceled it nine days before the wedding.
[A day later] my maid of honor contacted Lauren and frantically put together a plan to save the wedding, without my knowledge. Lauren … found a venue that was willing to take us in on such short notice and made sure it was somewhere that was similar to what I had originally wanted. She worked … with my maid of honor and my photographer/videographer, Grace from Novae Film & Photo, to create a surprise wedding from scratch in a week.
[Meanwhile], I was researching a sad courthouse wedding. I was eventually told that there was a rescue effort and that I should still plan on a wedding. My husband and I agreed to it on one condition: We wanted to be completely kept out of the loop. We had already spent so much time, effort [and] money … [on] our original wedding that we literally couldn’t bear to make another one. …
I was blindfolded and brought to the location. My maid of honor dropped off some decorations and Lauren took off decorating while I was blindly escorted to a room to get ready. … I had never seen the spot; we never had a rehearsal. The first time seeing the area, the aisle, everything, was during the actual wedding. It was surreal.
It was perfect, every detail. Everything was heartburstingly perfect. Lauren found the best ceremony spot I could ever hope for [I later found out it was Lakeview Inn in Wolfeboro] and decorated it exactly how I would have wanted. It was tucked into a wooded circle, surrounded by fresh snow-covered pine trees. … The arch was simple and rustic, decorated with evergreens, antlers and juniper berries. There were lanterns with real candles lining the aisle that wound through the woods. There were only 11 of us total, which ended up being better than expected — just our closest friends and family. The reception was inside the Inn, and it was decorated like a big family dinner on Christmas, with a large single-family table and intimate lighting. We all enjoyed ourselves immensely. The Inn is family-run and they cooked for us and served us, their dogs and cats coming in and out for some pets and scratches. It felt so warm and cozy, fireplace going, wine pouring and conversation that you could actually hear and participate in.
It was better than anything I could have hoped or planned myself. Instead of compromising and making cuts and downgrading a big wedding repeatedly, they created a new micro wedding that wasn’t desperately trying to be something it wasn’t. … Being able to sit back and not plan or worry about the wedding took so much of a weight off my shoulders. … My husband and I will have a big party in a year or two so we can throw on the fancy clothes again, have a dance party like we wanted and invite everyone who missed out, but there is honestly nothing I regret about my mini wedding.
My dream wedding was a small winter wedding elopement; I was lucky enough to get that. My husband’s dream was a big summer wedding party, and now we get to plan that too. We both get to have the elements of our weddings that we wanted without having to sacrifice anything.

Featured Photo: A previous Winter Fest in downtown Concord. Photo by Steven Lipofsky.