CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - If you're looking for free activities to keep your children busy during spring vacation week, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has dozens to choose from. This year, DCR is offering 68 free safe, educational, and fun recreational opportunit ies at 13 state parks and watersheds. Activities include guided hikes, animal tracking, scavenger hunts and craft making. Springfield Museums is the perfect spot to spend school vacation week “Our state parks serve as outdoor classrooms and getting outside during April school vacation week is a great way to teach kids about the natural world,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We hope this year’s fun and educational programs will inspire young and curious minds to explore our incredible natural resources. Our park interpreters are excited to welcome the next generation of environmental stewards to parks across Massachusetts for our free school vacation week programming.”   Parking is free at parks offering programming. DCR will continue to provide regular programming, including self-guided hikes, and visitor centers will be open. Information about staff-led programs and self-guided activities can be found on DCR’s website. Additionally, DCR is offering adaptive programming during April vacation week.   "School vacation week is a valuable time for families to reconnect, explore, and learn together outside the classroom," said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. "We’re thrilled DCR is offering such a wide range of activities to help spark curiosity, build stronger bonds, and deepen our appreciation for the State Parks system.”  Two events are being held in the western Mass. region: Buildwave: A hands-on building game! at Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls- Tuesday, April 22, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  EGGS-ellent Nature Scavenger Hunt! at Mount Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Rd., Lanesborough- Sunday, April 20, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. As part of Earth Week, DCR will also be holding its 19th annual Park Serve Day on Saturday, April 26, where people can volunteer to help clean coastlines, clear trails, pick up litter, plant flowers, or take part in other projects at 40 state parks across the Commonwealth. To participate in a Park Serve Day event, register at mass.gov. Below is a list of Park Serve Day events in western Massachusetts: Mt. Greylock State Reservation: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Bellows Pipe Trail (South), Gould Road parking lot, Gould Road, Adams Tolland State Forest: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 410 Tolland Road, East Otis West Region Headquarters: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 740 South Street, Pittsfield Connecticut River Greenway State Park: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 400 Damon Rd, Northampton Great Falls Discovery Center: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls Local News Headlines Boston man sentenced to prison for illegally trafficking machine gun conversion devices State delays enforcement of electric truck requirements DCR offers free family events during April school vacation week Springfield nonprofit receives donation for neighborhood rebuild event WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less