KIDS ON THE CAPE SUGGESTS...

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Get a free map and other information from the Harwich Chamber of Commerce. On Rte 28 in Harwich Port. 508-432-1600
BEACH FOR KIDS: Red River Beach offers full facilities. Parking fees, or you can buy a summer sticker at the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak St. 508-432-7555. Freshwater Swimming: Fernandes Bog at Long Pond has buoys, easy parking and rest rooms. Sticker required.
PICNIC SPOT: Brooks Park. Main St., just opposite Brooks Free Library as you enter the village. Picnic tables, playground and a bandstand add up to a perfect Cape Cod town park and picnic area.
FISHING SPOT: Fish from beach jetties at Red River Beach where there is easy access. Parents should definitely accompany their children for safety.
BIKING TRAIL: The Cape Cod Rail Trail cuts through Harwich. Gain access at the Pleasant Lake General Store on Rte 124 and also at the Herring Run in West Harwich.
HIKING TRAIL: Hike around the 44 acres of Hawknest pond. This state-owned nature preserve shares a border with town conservation land near Rtes 6 and 137.
LIBRARIES: Brooks Free Library. 739 Main St., Harwich. 508-430-7562; Chase West (next to Friendly's) Open Tues. and Sats. only, 1-5pm. 508-432-2610. Call for story hours and other events.
BROOKS ACADEMY MUSEUM: Home to the Harwich Historical Society, the 1844 former Pine Grove Seminary houses 200 years of Harwich history. Exhibits include the story of cranberry farming and “Something Old, Something New ... Victorian Wedding Fashions.” Open Wed., Thurs & Fri, 1-4pm(6/29 - 9/2); Thurs & Fri, 1-4pm (9/3 - 10/14). 80 Parallel St. 508-432-8089
HARWICH JUNIOR THEATER: Division St., W. Harwich. In addition to its award winning children’s theater productions, the theater offers a full curriculum of classes taught by theater professionals. Information, 508-432-2002 x11; Tickets, 508-432-2002
COMMUNITY DAY CAMP: Harwich Public school-sponsored day camp for Cape Cod students grades K -7. Sports, crafts, computers, beach, field trips & much more. 7:30am-5:30pm. Call to register. 508-430-2355
OUTDOOR BAND CONCERTS: The Harwich Town Band performs at the Brooks Park Bandstand, Tues. nights in July and August at 7:30 pm.
RECREATION DEPARMENT: Residents and guests may enjoy a variety of activities and instruction: swimming, sailing, canoeing and tennis plus a 1/2 day playground program offered at the Community Center, Mon-Fri. 9-12 beginning the last week in June. Registration required in advance. 508-430-7553
FUN ON THE “CURVE”: Family fun abounds on the “curve” where Rtes 28 & 124 meet. Go- carts, trampolines, bumper boats and batting cages bring people back year after year.
SEAL CRUISES & MONOMOY ISLAND EXCURSIONS: The friendly folks who operate the lower Cape’s only ferry service to Nantucket, also offer trips to the famed Monomoy Island, the federal wildlife refuge on the spit of land off of Chatham. Home to over 400 large gray seals and hundreds of rare species of shore birds, the island is a reminder of life on Cape Cod centuries ago--untouched and unspoiled, its beauty unparalleled. Departs Saquatucket Harbor. 508-430-7772