THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Castle Hill in Ipswich launches its summer picnic concert series next Thursday with a performance by a Rolling Stones tribute band, the Blushing Brides.
Every Thursday evening through Aug. 30, a different band takes the stage to entertain people picnicking on the lawn.
Following the Blushing Brides, the concert lineup features Help, a Beatles tribute band, July 12; David Wax Museum, folk rock, July 19; Grupo Fantasia, Latin music, July 26; the BaHa Brothers, summertime music such as Jimmy Buffett and the Beach Boys, Aug. 2; Beantown Swing Orchestra, big band swing, Aug. 9; Inner Visions, Caribbean reggae, Aug. 16; Entrain, rock funk, Aug. 23; and Orville Giddings Band, boogie blues, Aug. 30.
There are several improvements this season, including a sound system upgrade and installation of pathway and statuary lighting.
Also, a section of the picnic lawn will be reserved for patrons who need easy accessibility.
The size of the audience is limited to 2,000 to improve the experience and preserve the newly restored landscaping on the Grand Allée, the estate’s half-mile-long rolling lawn where picnickers set up during concerts.
Until concert capacity is reached, parents may drop off middle school and high school students at the designated “walk-in” gate. Admission is $5. After the concert, parents should enter through the same gate and park at the barn complex to wait for their children.
All other vehicle traffic should enter the property through the second gate, traditionally used for concerts and other events.
Gates open at 5 p.m. for picnicking. Concerts run from 7 to 9 p.m.
People are encouraged to arrive early, as the gates will close once capacity is reached.
Admission at the gate is $30 per car, or $20 per car for members of the Trustees of Reservations, with a maximum of six passengers per car; each additional passenger is charged $5. Motorcycles are $10.
Call 978-356-4351 or visit www.thetrustees.org.
STEM EXPERIENCE: The summer camp at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill has expanded its focus and has a new name, STEM College for Kids, reflecting its concentration on science, technology, engineering and math education.
The number of courses has doubled and includes offerings such as the Mystery of DNA, Zentangle Doodling, Engineering is Elementary, and Geology Rocks. In addition, campers still can sign up for their old favorites including art, games, basketball, dance stylistics, and singer and songwriter workshops.
The four-week camp offers a junior session for ages 9-11 and a senior session for ages 12 to 14. It runs daily, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 9 through Aug. 3. The cost is $70 for one class, $140 for two classes, and $210 for three classes for each week.
Campers can select a class for one, two, or all three of the daily sessions. The first session runs 9 to 11 a.m., the midday session is 11:45 a.m. to 1:35 p.m., and the afternoon session is 2 to 4 p.m.
For more information, contact Mike Cross, STEM College coordinator, at 978-556-3362 or mcross@necc.mass.edu. To view the program offerings, visit www.necc.mass.edu and click on the community engagement link.
WHO’S WHAT WHERE: The Essex County Community Foundation has added Steven P. Cohen of Beverly, Robert R. Fanning Jr. of Boxford, Susan J. Gray of Rockport, and Kevin M. Tierney Sr. of Danvers to its board of trustees. The foundation is in the early stages of a campaign to grow local philanthropy by building its charitable assets to $50 million. . . The Trial Advocacy Team at Massachusetts School of Law in Andover was recently recognized by Governor Deval Patrick for its accomplishments in this year’s Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition. The team won the Northeast Region competition and placed fourth in the national finals. Team members are Kellie Tiller, Anthony McDuffie, Patrick Brown, Katisha Brown, Darryl Caffee, Allenston Sheridan Jr., Tradia Vereen, Felicea Robinson, James Hester, Shane Goulet, Jennifer Guerrero, Cathrine Okoh, Judy Cox, Pearl Louis, Christopher DeCarlo, and Emanuel Andrade.