Ranch Life 101 Summer Program Opens at Berkshire HorseWorks

10:09AM / Friday, February 28, 2025Print Story | Email Story

RICHMOND, Mass. — Berkshire HorseWorks' Ranch Life 101 summer program, now in its third season, is open for registration.

The program, held on a private seven-acre ranch in Richmond, is designed for children ages 5-12.

Running for six weeks from June 30 to Aug. 7, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Ranch Life 101 offers an immersive experience for young horse enthusiasts.

Co-facilitated by early education specialist Chris Ciepiela and Eagala advanced certified equine specialist Hayley Sumner, the program focuses on life skill development through interaction with horses. Activities include ground-based and mounted exercises, basic riding skills, yoga, trail walking, ranch chores, and nature-based arts and crafts.

The program emphasizes personal growth, fostering patience, friendship, trust, confidence, responsibility, and mentorship. Scholarships and sliding scales are available to ensure accessibility for all interested children.

Berkshire HorseWorks is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that has been providing equine-assisted therapies and activities for 10 years. They have served over 3,500 individuals, including at-risk youth, veterans, and families. For more information or to register, contact Berkshire HorseWorks at 413-698-3700 or info@berkshirehorseworks.com.

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Great Barrington Fire, Police Respond to Chimney Fire

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
02:48PM / Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Fire Chief Scott Turner called for mutual aid as soon as he saw flames.

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Firefighters made quick work of a chimney fire on Tuesday afternoon and two police officers aided the occupant in escaping the building.

Fire Chief Scott Turner said the blaze at 205 North St. was reported about 12:38 p.m.

"When I arrived on scene, we had a small amount of flames coming out of the eaves of the roof over by the chimney for the wood stove, and then we had light smoke conditions on the second floor," he said.

Police Officers Andres Huertas and Elias Casey were first on the scene and immediately entered the single-family home to find the occupant was on the second floor.

They helped her out of the building, Turner said, "they did a great job."

The chimney is a metal chimney and burn marks could been seen where it meets the eaves on the side of the building.

North Street is a narrow residential way and firetrucks from Alford, Egremont, Monterey, Richmond, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge were parked along nearby streets. Scene support was provided by police, Southern Berkshire Ambulance, and National Grid.

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