Schedule and Policy Changes at the Berkshire Museum

04:27PM / Friday, July 30, 2021Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Special hours will be in effect next week as the Berkshire Museum prepares for the Aug. 6 grand reopening of its fully-renovated second floor.

The museum will close early at 4 pm on Sunday, Aug. 1, and will remain closed to the public Monday through Thursday, Aug. 2 through 5. The Berkshire Museum reopens Friday, Aug. 6, with an all-new second floor complete with five new exhibitions.

Beginning with Member Preview Days on Aug. 2, all Berkshire Museum visitors ages two and older will once again be required to wear protective face coverings throughout their visit and will not be permitted inside the building without a mask or other suitable face covering.

Since statewide masking policies were lifted in late May, the Berkshire Museum has strongly encouraged visitors to carry on wearing face coverings to protect its many young visitors under the age of twelve who cannot yet be vaccinated. This week's switch to mandatory masking comes in response to recent CDC guidance and changing COVID-19 conditions in the region.

Berkshire Museum members can access special Member Preview Days during the closure: Monday to Thursday, Aug. 2 to 5, from 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets and information are available at berkshiremuseum.org.

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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.

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