Free Summer Movies All Around the County

Summer is the time to kick back on the grass and watch an outdoor film. Series in Pittsfield and Williamstown start this weekend, and the annual Movies Under the Stars in Adams starts on July 22.

In Pittsfield, “Movies at the Park” will be offered Friday evenings, from July 8 through July 29, beginning at dusk at Clapp Park on West Housatonic Street opening with "Minions." The rest of the movies to be shown are "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" on July 15, "Inside Out: on July 22 and "Hotel Transylvania 2" on July 29.

Rain dates are Aug. 5 and 12 only if one of the previous movies is cancelled due to weather. “Movies at the Park” are family friendly events and no alcohol is allowed.

In Williamstown, Images Cinema and Spring Street Market & Café present films for all ages on Sundays from July 10 to Aug. 7 at sundown (around 8:15/8:30 p.m.) on Morgan Lawn at the top of Spring Street. Concessions will be available onsite. Bring your own chairs, blankets and bug spray.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.