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Family & Community Program

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

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Registration is open, and there’s always room for new friends and neighbors!

Ready to really dive in? Check out our Summer Neighbor Resource Site:

Family & Community Session Overview

Hale’s Family & Community Program offers four 2-week sessions from June 26–August 20, 2023. We serve a relaxed crowd of ~100 friends and neighbors on any given day. We’re open Monday through Sunday 9 AM to 8 PM. See below for more information about session dates.

What’s included with a family registration?

During each session, enjoy:

  • Swimming and boating under the watchful eyes of highly trained lifeguards. Swimming lessons are available between 10 AM and 4 PM Monday–Friday for ages 3–14, and boating lessons are available for ages 6+ who meet swimming requirements.
  • Arts & Crafts, and Nature & Adventure activities including archery, teambuilding, high ropes, and educational hikes.
  • Backyard games and sports that range from pastimes like basketball and Wiffle Ball to Ninja Warrior.
  • Adult fitness activities such as aqua jogging, yoga, and boot camp—with childcare while you participate!
  • Community events including a welcome barbecue, kids triathlon, beach bash, movie night, community campout, guided night hikes and sunset paddles, and a farewell carnival.

And if you’d simply like to kick back on the beach, that’s always an option, too!

About Our Facilities

With unparalleled access to Hale’s 1,000+ acres of adventure that include 20+ miles of trails, our beautiful South Beach campus offers a secluded place to disconnect. It includes a private waterfront, rinse stations, and composting restrooms. Activities are available at our archery range, obstacle course, playgrounds, pavilions, and picnic areas. Boats, paddles, and life jackets are all available for your convenience and safety.

Family-Friendly Summer Activities

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

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

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

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

Swimming

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

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

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

Nature & Adventure

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

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

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

Backyard Games & Sports

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

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

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

Art & Music

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

Enjoy access to our fleet of sailboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and stand-up paddleboards. Boating lessons and activities are available for ages six and up, and instructors teach children to safely use oars, hoist sails, tack, and navigate. Budding mariners will appreciate the skills they gain on Noanet Pond for years to come.

Enjoy access to our fleet of sailboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and stand-up paddleboards. Boating lessons and activities are available for ages six and up, and instructors teach children to safely use oars, hoist sails, tack, and navigate. Budding mariners will appreciate the skills they gain on Noanet Pond for years to come.

Boating

Enjoy access to our fleet of sailboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and stand-up paddleboards. Boating lessons and activities are available for ages six and up, and instructors teach children to safely use oars, hoist sails, tack, and navigate. Budding mariners will appreciate the skills they gain on Noanet Pond for years to come.

Older kids participate in longer activities that don’t require regular check-ins with parents. They can learn to informally lead activities, participate in Junior Lifeguarding, or even hone their skills as activity assistants through our volunteer program.

Older kids participate in longer activities that don’t require regular check-ins with parents. They can learn to informally lead activities, participate in Junior Lifeguarding, or even hone their skills as activity assistants through our volunteer program.

Youth & Teens

Older kids participate in longer activities that don’t require regular check-ins with parents. They can learn to informally lead activities, participate in Junior Lifeguarding, or even hone their skills as activity assistants through our volunteer program.

Outdoor Swimming Lessons

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

Would your child be best supported with one-on-one attention in a lesson? We’re happy to make accommodations so that every child has the opportunity to learn to swim! Talk with the Aquatics Director about setting up private lessons.

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

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Would you like to visit for a day?

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

Special Family Events

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

Hale Beer Garden & BBQ

Block Parties

Parents can kick off each session at the beer garden while Hale’s staff leads games and grills dinner. Share a picnic table with your new neighbors!

Evening Bashes

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

Campouts

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

Sunset Hikes and Paddles

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

Movie Nights

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

Carnival

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

Registration

Rates and Dates

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

  • Session 1: June 26–July 9
  • Session 2: July 10–23
  • Session 3: July 24–August 6
  • Session 4: August 7–20

Households and individual adults (ages 18+) and seniors (ages 60+) can register for one or more sessions. Enrolling in specific sessions provides access exactly when you need it, so now it’s easier than ever to juggle camp, vacations, and other commitments.

Did you know? Family-level registrations include a year of Hale’s annual membership program at no extra charge (a $120 value). Valid from Mar. 1, 2023–Feb. 28, 2024, your family’s membership features complimentary parking throughout the year, discounts on activities, and a copy of Hale Magazine. We’ll mail your membership packet right to your home address.

With our multi-session discounts, you can save up to 25% per session.

Special discount codes are only valid for the 2023 season and are subject to terms and conditions. Hale reserves the right, at any time and without prior notice, to modify, extend, or end promotional discounts.

Registration Level
Register for ONE session
Register for TWO sessions
Register for THREE sessions
Register for FOUR sessions
Family
Household, Full Day

$1,100
$2,200
$1,870
Save 15%
$3,300
$2,640
Save 20%
$4,400
$3,300
Save 25%
Individual
Adult, Full Day

$200
$400
$340
Save 15%
$600
$480
Save 20%
$800
$600
Save 25%
Individual
Adult, Nights & Weekends

$100
$200
$170
Save 15%
$300
$240
Save 20%
$400
$300
Save 25%
Individual
Senior, Full Day

$100
$200
$170
Save 15%
$300
$240
Save 20%
$400
$300
Save 25%

Payment Options

You may choose to pay in full or automate installment payments.

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

If you choose installment billing:

  • Family Registration: A non-refundable down payment ($300) is required. The remainder is billed in equal monthly installments on the first of each month, starting in January 2023 and ending in May 2023
  • Individual Registration: A non-refundable down payment (50% of your registration total) is required. The remainder will be billed in March.

If you register after installment billing begins, you are responsible for however many installments would have already been billed leading up to that time. If you register after installment billing ends, payment in full is due at that time.

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

Financial Aid

Hale is committed to ensuring that our programs are accessible to children and families regardless of personal means. To that end, we maintain a fund to help families in need afford the cost of tuition. Applications for our Family & Community Program continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register for Hale’s Family & Community Program?

Yes, registration is required.

Does Hale offer day passes?

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

Where is Hale's Family & Community Program?

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

What are the program's hours?

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

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

May I bring guests?

Households and individuals that register are allotted a specific number of guest punch passes based on how many weeks they’ve registered for. You MUST be present when guests arrive; guests will not be permitted to enter without you. We also ask that guests allow our neighbors first access to all activities. Guests may not participate in swimming or boating lessons.

What if the weather is bad?

In general, we operate rain or shine—so please dress appropriately and make the most of every day! We are occasionally forced to open late or close early when extreme conditions make it unsafe to be outside. Call 781-326-8985 for any weather-related information.

Can I hold a private event at South Beach?

On weekends, and on evenings during which a Hale event is not taking place, we do allow rentals of Julia’s Place pavilion for a total of 3 hours. If you’d like to book one of our staff members to run activities for kids for an hour, we can do that too—just speak to our program director about availability during the weeks you are here.

Hale offers rentals all year long. We love to see our friends and neighbors celebrate birthdays, reunions, holidays, b’nai mitzvah, graduations, weddings—you name it!—at Hale. Please see our Rentals page to learn more.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, a limited amount of financial aid is available. Download our Financial Aid Packet to learn more and apply.

Westwood Residents: Westwood Community Chest is glad to provide additional financial support for families in need to participate in Hale’s Family & Community Program. Applicants who live in Westwood who wish to apply for these funds should complete Hale’s application AND WCC’s application and submit BOTH to Shannon Obey.

I still have questions. Who should I contact?

Email Shannon for more information.

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