Please note: this tour takes place on Saturday, November 7 (not Sunday as listed in the catalog).The Gibson House Museum in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood served as residence to three generations of Gibson family members and their household staff between 1859 and 1954. This tour invites visitors to explore the house and consider issues of class and culture through the stories and objects of the people who lived and worked here. Note: This tour climbs 5 flights of stairs and is just under an hour long

No leaves? No problem. We’ll get up close to identify 10–12 common trees using branching patterns, buds, bark, habitat clues, persistent fruits, galls, and even marcescent leaves. The walk will focus on tree ID as well as fun and fascinating natural history. Bring a hand lens or magnifying glass if you have one. Children ages 10+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult.

Ride with greater confidence by learning basic roadside maintenance and flat tire repair. Discover simple tools to carry with you, techniques for handling common issues while riding, and tips for keeping your bicycle in good working order. We’ll also discuss ways to stay safe on the road and prepare for different riding conditions. No experience necessary. Thanks to Wheelworks for donating their time, proceeds from this class will go toward the ACE scholarship fund.Please note: You do not bring your bike to class.

Observe local birds on these birdwatching field trips. We will focus on different strategies for locating and identifying birds based on their appearance, songs and calls, behavior, and habitat. To get the most out of field trips, attendance at the Birdwatching 101 class is highly encouraged. Binoculars are highly recommended. Rain dates: 10/4 and 10/18

Maximize your enjoyment and appreciation of birds in their local environment. We’ll discuss necessary and recommended tools (binoculars, scopes, bird books, and phone applications); how to pick a place and a time for ideal birdwatching; and strategies for identifying birds using their appearance, flight patterns, songs and calls, and the habitats where they live and migrate through.

Learn to navigate the water safely and confidently while earning your NASBLA Massachusetts boating certificate. Explore boating laws and navigation rules, required safety gear, trailering basics, and how to handle emergencies from man overboard to sudden weather changes. The in-person format keeps it hands-on and engaging, as you practice radio calls, see demonstrations of safety equipment, and get answers tailored to your boating interests. Connect with fellow boaters and Coast Guard Auxiliarists who will share their experience and answer your questions. Completing the course may even qualify you for discounts on boating insurance. Please note: Students 16+ may register and attend solo; students 12-15 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration covers one exam/certificate fee and immediate family members who wish to observe the class. If additional certificates are needed please register individually. In MA, ages 16 and 17 are allowed to operate a PWC alone, but must pass this course. Ages 12 through 15 can operate a boat as long as (a) they have passed this course and (b) an adult over 18 is onboard and has also passed the course.

Boston’s Chinatown is filled with so many little shops and restaurants—it’s easy to get lost amid its colorful window displays and enticing aromas. Our journey begins in the heart of Chinatown, where we’ll learn about its history while stopping at a few shops and bakeries for samples. Next, we’ll visit a Chinese herbal shop to examine traditional Chinese medicinal remedies before touring a Chinese market to explore exotic produce and other unique offerings. We’ll also try dim sum from a traditional and popular restaurant. Please note: Dietary restrictions CANNOT be accommodated on this food tour.

H Mart is a supersized Asian market chock full of culinary treasures. But for some, the unfamiliar ingredients, unrecognizable labels, and football-field size of the store can be overwhelming. Join a culinary expert for a guided and curated tour around the market. We’ll highlight certain sections: sauces, noodles, dumplings, seaweed, rice, tofu, fresh banchan (Korean side dishes), an ocean of fish, meats, and condiments. If you like, bring along a recipe to help focus our search. The last half hour will be for sourcing specific ingredients or Q&A over tea and sweets in the food court. Receive a goody bag, recipes, and tips on how to stock your own “starter” Asian pantry.

This tour offers private access to the Lincoln house and grounds of Walter Gropius, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century and founder of the German design school known as the Bauhaus. Modest in scale, this 1938 home was revolutionary in impact. Gropius believed that the relationship of a house to its landscape was of paramount importance. In keeping with Bauhaus philosophy, every aspect of the house and its surrounding landscape was planned for maximum efficiency and simplicity of design, revealing design strategies that have returned to architectural importance for green and sustainable design in the 21st century. Children ages 10+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult.