KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When they were handing out high school yearbook awards, some of my classmates unofficially, though cheerfully, voted me Least Likely to Become a Professional Cheerleader. I couldn’t really disagree: After all, I was a nerd before being a nerd came into fashion, much more comfortable in a library than at a pep rally. So much for
teenage predictions! Yesterday, my daughter Ella turned 25, which means KidsOutAndAbout turns 25, too. When Ella was imminent, and her sister Madison was one-and-a-half, I was realizing just how many incredible experiences for kids and families were all around us in Rochester. Back then, before web calendars were a thing, finding out about stuff happening meant you had to know where to look. So during maternity leave from my old technology consulting firm, I
decided to build a place to make invisible opportunities visible, to celebrate the people who create them, and to build audiences for these great things. We’ve grown to a dedicated team of 20 people doing work that matters, serving 52 regions with 15 million readers per year and 750,000 weekly newsletter subscribers. So yes, I’m a professional cheerleader, and I love it. I love this. I love that my job is to help build an audience for the remarkable experiences
people are bringing to life. I love that our mission is to shine a light on the concerts, camps, classes, festivals, trails, museums, libraries, theaters, and local treasures large and small that become family stories and memories. Far from slowing down, we’re heading into hyper-drive for our Silver Anniversary, so stay tuned! Thank you for being part of the journey, and for giving us so much to cheer about.
—Debra Ross, publisher of
KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
|
|
|
KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
|
|
|
Come see a dozen of the world’s most talented four-legged performers, in an uproariously funny, comedy dog spectacular that is leaving audiences everywhere howling for more! The all-star lineup includes a Guinness World Record holder, and an America’s Got Talent fan favorite, and a host of amazing rescue dogs that will dance, prance, flip, and skip their way right into your heart. Deemed “A must see” by The Washington Post, Mutts Gone Nuts Unleashed is sure to win Best in Show! Reserve your tickets today!
|
|
|
|
This summer, give your child a space to explore, experiment, and create at the Arts Center! Our Summer Art Camps offer an immersive experience for young artists ages 6–12. Each weekly session is a new adventure—from "Mixed Media Magic" to "Sculpture Secrets"—guided by professional instructors who prioritize curiosity over perfection. Campers will dive into hands-on projects, learn new techniques, and build confidence through visual storytelling. Each week culminates in a Friday "Mini-Gallery" show for family and friends. Space is limited, so register early to ensure a summer filled with color and discovery!
|
|
|
|
The Hudson Children’s Book Festival, established in 2009, strives to create, sustain, and nurture a culture of literacy in partnership with our community and schools. This free, public event fosters a love of reading as families meet and greet world-class creators of books for children of all ages.
|
|
|
|
The Unfinished Revolution challenges us to look back at the past and to see its relationship with us in the present. Have the goals of the American Revolution of 250 years ago been achieved, or do we have more work to do to realize them today? Join with Historic Cherry Hill, Underground Railroad Education Center, and Schuyler Mansion for an afternoon focused on this matter. Tablers, panelists, and presentations will be part of the program. See you at Historic Cherry Hill, rain or shine!
|
|
|
|
Join us at Grafton Lakes State Park for Parks & Trails New York’s I Love My Park Day! This statewide event is the largest single-day volunteer event in New York State, coordinating thousands of volunteers annually to help improve and celebrate local parks! We participate in this event each year, but the help of our awesome volunteers is crucial every year. Get involved in our community and join us to help improve our park! For any questions about what we’re doing at GLSP specifically, call 518-279-1155. We'll see you out there!
|
|
|
|
|
|
It's spring, and that means some of our favorite places to go are opening for the season! Check out our list of amusement parks, ice cream shops, adventure parks, and more! Hooray for spring!
|
|
|
- Wiggly Wanderers 9:30am - Moreau Lake State Park, Old Saratoga Road, Gansevoort, NY, Friday, May 1, 2026, 9:30 AM
- Total Teen Takeover - Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, 21 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY 12210, Friday, May 1, 2026, 4:00PM-8:30pm
- Camp Kenan Open House Healthy Kids Day - YMCA Camp Kenan, 8571 Lower Lake Road, Barker, NY
14012, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00am to 2:00pm
- Camp Weona Open House Healthy Kids Day - YMCA Camp Weona, Poplar Tree Road, Gainesville, NY, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00am to 2:00pm
- Hudson Children's Book Festival 2026 - Columbia-Greene Community College, Hudson, NY, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10am – 3pm
- Family Fun Fair - Loudonville Christian
School, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10am - 1pm
- I Love My Parks Day - Moreau Lake State Park, Old Saratoga Road, Gansevoort, NY, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10 AM- 3 PM
- UUSS MayFest - Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady, 1221 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12308, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 1-4:30 pm
- Free Buddhist Temple Tours Upstate New York in Sullivan County Catskills - Kadampa
Meditation Center New York, Sweeney Rd, Glen Spey, NY, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 1:30PM
- Sunday School - Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Delmar, NY, 85 Elm Ave, Delmar, NY 12054, Sunday, May 3, 2026, 9:45 am
- Youth Learn to Play Clinic - SPORTIME Capital Region, formerly SPORTIME Schenectady, Curry Road, Schenectady, NY, Sunday, May 3, 2026, 1:00pm
- National Ride-A-Bike Day -
Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065, Sunday, May 3, 2026, 1:00PM-4:00PM
|
|
|
|
The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Albany area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our
guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
|
|
|
|
|
Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Charlotte area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Capital Region? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues, unlock secrets, and complete your mission-all before time runs out!
Whether you're escaping a spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
|
|
|
Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
