Things to Do with Our Advocates

Families First has compiled a list of potential indoor & outdoor activities to keep your day busy.

  • Peer group activities listed on the Families First website. And look out for our monthly Programming newsletter in your Families First email!

  • Brattleboro Museum and Art Center (BMAC) in: There are free passes at the Families First office available upon request. Visit https://www.brattleboromuseum.org/ for more information.

  • Vermont Museum of Natural History in West Marlboro, VT. https://www.vermontmuseum.org/

  • Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, VT. https://www.montshire.org/

  • Winston Prouty Gym @ Austine Drive in Brattleboro. The space is typically only available on Fridays. There are basketballs available there to use.

  • YMCA in Keene, NH. Passes are $5, staff get in free.

  • Brattleboro Bowl. For hours and pricing visit https://brattleborobowl.com/

  • Brooks Memorial Library. It is free and has books, games, and public computers.

  • Board games, arts & crafts, music, movies, the gym, and more!

  • Frisbee golf located at the Winston Prouty campus and Memorial Park in Brattleboro, VT. Families First has frisbees that can be loaned out upon request.

  • Visit Walpole, NH: Alyson’s Orchard. https://alysonsorchard.com/things-to-do/

  • Up for a drive? Visit Harrisville, NH to cuddle a cow, goat, or sheep at Granite Oak Farm! https://graniteoakfarm.com/

  • Visit the Retreat Farm in Brattleboro to see the animals and outdoor story walk. Also a great place for a picnic, hike, or cheese tasting.

  • Other places for hiking/walking are the West River Trail, the trails at Winston Prouty, Fort Dummer State Park, Dutton Pines State Park, Townshend State Park, Woodford State Park, and Sweet Pond State Park. There are also trails at Putney & Black Mountain.

  • Keene has over 40 miles of four intersecting trails that connect in the center of Keene. This includes the Cheshire Rail Trail, the Ashuelot River Trail, the Jonathan Daniels Trail, and the Appel Way Trail. The Cheshire Trail is accessible and has parking available. For more information please visit https://pathwaysforkeene.org/.

  • Snowshoeing, sledding, and tubing! Snow shoes can be rented at the local library.

  • Local basketball courts and soccer fields can be found at Crowell Park and Memorial Park.

  • Swimming at Memorial Park, Vernon pool, or Springfield pool in VT. There is also Spofford Lake in NH. Payment may be required.

  • Visit the Bennington Monument, Brattleboro Commons, Creamery Covered Bridge, and local Farmers Markets.

  • Dummerston Community Center has a playground & basketball. While Scott Farm has stone sculptures, cider, and sweets!

Some of Our Favorites:

Basketball is held on Fridays from 1pm-2pm at the gym on the Winston Prouty campus. Please make sure to lock up after using the space. Check the peer group calendar for more information.

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Join Families First for cooking class at our new property. Learn some new skills while making yummy food!

Please sign up in advance as space is limited. Cooking class is typically held Friday morning 10am-12pm.

Join Families First for Garden club in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Learn how to plant, maintain, and harvest our garden.

Extra veggies are sold to community members, or given to cooking class to utilize in recipes.

Join us for Tuesday adventures! Many of our peer groups offered on Tuesdays involve a little more travel and planning. Details are provided on the peer group calendar.

Some examples include visiting the city of Salem, the Holyoke mall, Boston Science Museum, Hampton beach, local art museums, and much more! Carpooling and sign up for these events are encouraged.

Speak to your supervisor about additional places or ideas.

Please be mindful of the physical ability, safety, and financial obligations of the self-advocate you are working with. Make sure to bring any necessary medications, personal protective equipment, and/or a first aid kit.