Science, Art Program Offered for School Break

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Participants make ice cream at a past school break program.
EGREMONT, Mass. — Flying Cloud Institute and Greenagers will once again hold a science and art exploration program during the February school break for children aged 7 to 13 years. It runs Feb. 17 - 20 from 9 to 3:30 (with early drop-off at 8:30 a.m.), at the April Hill Education and Conservation Center in South Egremont.
 
Participants will engage in science investigations, art projects, engineering challenges, and nature explorations. During the last school break, youth explored material science by making phosphorescent (glow-in-the-dark) polymers and learned about sound by making oscilloscopes. Children also took part in an engineering challenge by using sticks, marshmallows and straws to design structures, and were then introduced to TinkerCad design software and 3D printers. They learned about sheep, visited a working sheep farm, observed wool and other fur samples under the microscope, and created felted wool projects. The program concluded with an outdoor walk, scavenger hunt, and showcase of creations.
 
The February break program will be located at April Hill, which serves as the headquarters for Greenagers, as well as a resource for community gatherings and education. The nearly 100-acre property has nature trails, vegetable gardens, orchards, pastures and hayfields, and abuts the Appalachian Trail. 
 
"Flying Cloud Institute is excited to partner with Greenagers this February break. We look forward to engaging youth with dynamic science and art activities to ignite their creativity," said Executive Director Maria Rundle.
 
The cost is $250 for the four-day program and financial aid is available. To register, visit flyingcloudinstitute.org or call 413-645-3058 with questions.
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Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.
EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.
 
William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building. 
 
Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.
 
"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.
 
"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."
 
Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.
 
For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series. 
 
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