Calendar
Subject to change! Check back frequently for updates.
Warm-Up Days, Day One
First Community Meeting of the year, meet your advisor, scheduled activities (details coming soon)
Volunteer Day at Franklin County Fair
Work together to help set up the Fair! Let Loran know by 9/2 if you’d like to participate. We will meet at the Fairground at 10:00, or let Loran know if you need a ride from North Star (meeting there at 9:30). We’ll work in the morning, take a break for lunch, and finish by 1:00. Everyone who helps out gets a free ticket to Franklin County Fair (September 4-7).
Potluck Lunch and Official Kickoff of 2025-26
Let’s officially welcome each other to the 2025-26 North Star year! Bring something to share for lunch. Families and friends welcome.
First Day of Classes and One-on-Ones
Check out the classes that interest you in this first two weeks of exploratory time. You can also schedule your weekly check-in with your advisor, and your cleaning crew day.
Bake-a-Thon for Amherst Survival Center
Help bake 30+ pies for the Amherst Survival Center’s annual community dinner! We will take over the Sunderland Congregational Church’s kitchen and bake everything from scratch. Sign up with Loran.
Service Trip to San Juan
Service Trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Commitment required by September 30, 2025)
Presentations
An opportunity for teens to share whatever interests them! A hobby, maybe, or something about their year at North Star, a performance, or their art…
Special Activities and Family Meetings
Two weeks of family meetings (including teens and as many staff as are able to participate). Simultaneously, we’re offering a variety of activities teens can choose from when they’re not in family meetings.
The Shindig
Our end-of-the-year celebration. We say goodbye to those who are not returning in the fall, enjoy some performances, and share a potluck meal.
Circus Smirkus presented by North Star
Extraordinary traveling teen circus, performing at Franklin County Fairground. North Star’s biggest fundraiser of the year!
Circus Smirkus presented by North Star
Extraordinary traveling teen circus, performing at Franklin County Fairground. North Star’s biggest fundraiser of the year!
Circus Smirkus presented by North Star
Extraordinary traveling teen circus, performing at Franklin County Fairground. North Star’s biggest fundraiser of the year!
Circus Smirkus presented by North Star
Extraordinary traveling teen circus, performing at Franklin County Fairground. North Star’s biggest fundraiser of the year!
April Outing to Three Sisters Sanctuary
Participation is optional, building IS open, all classes cancelled 9-12.
Performance at UMass Fine Arts Center
Complexions Contemporary Ballet Stay tuned for more information!
March Outing: Skating at FMC Ice Sports in Holyoke
Participation is optional, building IS open, all classes cancelled 12:30-4. Cost is $7 per person, plus $7 for skate rental. If you would like to participate but the cost is prohibitive, speak to your advisor or any staff member.
Service Trip to Washington, DC
A week of volunteer work, sightseeing and visits to Congressional offices, all planned by the trip participants!
February Outing to Beneski Natural History Museum
Participation is optional, building IS open, all classes cancelled 1-4.
January Outing to Smith Botanical Garden
Participation is optional, building IS open, all classes cancelled 9-12.
December Outing TBD
Participation is optional, building IS open, all classes cancelled 9-12:30.
Performance at UMass Bowker Auditorium
The Sound of (Black) Music Stay tuned for more information!
Bake-A-Thon for Amherst Survival Center
A full day of baking, to make 40 pies for the Amherst Survival Center Community Meal! Serious bakers of all skill levels are invited to participate!
Performance at UMass Bowker Auditorium
Seo Jungmin: One, My Utopia! Stay tuned for more information
November Outing (Inning! New date/time!)
Participation is optional, building IS open, all classes and one-on-ones cancelled 12:30-3:30.
Performance at UMass Bowker Auditorium
Nava Dance Theatre: Rogue Gestures/Foreign Bodies Stay tuned for more information!
October Outing: Mike's Maze
We’re going to Mike’s Corn Maze! Explore the maze, ride around in the go-carts, visit the animals, check out the camera obscura, and all of the other fun attractions. For extra $ you can also fire the potato cannon and have a snack at the Corn Café. We will walk over from North Star. Families are welcome and can meet us at Mike’s. The cost is $10 per person; if you would like to go and this is not affordable for you, talk to Loran or your advisor.
All classes and one-on-ones are canceled this afternoon. The activity is optional; there will be staff at North Star for teens who don’t want to go.
