Surviving vacation?

Truth be told, a week of wacky weather has left me a little uncertain of family fun. Monday was a beautiful Patriots Day. Tuesday it rained. Wednesday it was so cold the rain actually turned to snow during Touch A Truck. Thursday the wind was so strong that I wouldn't let my daughter scooter for fear of her blowing off.

What's the weekend to bring?

Saturday (which is my birthday, incidentally, just in case you're interested) it's supposed to rain again, but if a little water doesn't bother you, you can take the kids to the youth fishing derby in Pittsfield. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Pittsfield Conservation Commission and Lyon Aviation will sponsor a free fishing derby for youth 14 and under at Wild Acres (rain or shine). Volunteer support will be provided by the Onota Fishing Club to assist with dressing fish, providing fishing tips and techniques, baiting, etc. Trophies will be awarded to those who catch a tagged fish. Bait will be provided, and a limited amount of fishing poles will be available for use on a first come, first serve basis to those who do not own one. Wild Acres is located off of South Mountain Road in Pittsfield.

If fishing is not your thing (see my hand wildly waving) check out Kitchen Ka-Boom at 11 a.m. at the Berkshire Museum, where the kids can perform thrilling and fun science experiments in the Sabic Innovation Lab. Seating is limited, so reservations are requested: call 413-443-7171, ext. 10. Or from noon to 2 p.m., the Pittsfield YMCA is hosting Healthy Kids Day, a free community event for kids and families in the surrounding area. The event will feature activities such as gymnastics, open swim, a scavenger hunt, face painting and a handprint art project. For more information, contact the Y at 413-499-7650 or visit www.pittsfieldfamilyymca.org. Also in Pittsfield, the West Street branch of Greylock Federal Credit Union will wrap up Youth Week with a magic show and balloon sculpting from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

That's one busy day in Pittsfield, but if you're up north, swing by Williamstown Elementary School for the annual Milne Library book sale. The kids can pick out some gently used books for cheap and then a snack at the cafe while you browse for something that will relieve the stress of vacation week. The sale runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

That leaves Sunday ... one last day until the kids are back in school being entertained ... er, educated, by people being paid. Get them back in the swing of creativity by taking them to Bisque Beads and Beyond in downtown Pittsfield for the last April vacation week workshops, set for 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. For more information call 413-442-9300. 

Or just hang out at home on Sunday and finish the homework and projects you put off all week. It's back to school!

Rebecca Dravis is the community editor at iBerkshires. She can be reached at rdravis@iberkshires.com.