KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One summer afternoon during a family camping trip in New Jersey when I was about 6 or 7 years old, a horse fly suddenly appeared next to my ear and started following me everywhere I went. I’m sure that, from its own perspective, it was just going about its business doing ordinary horse fly things, but to me it felt enormous, ominous, and purposeful. I can't remember if it
actually bit me, but I can still summon the hot panic of not being able to get away from its threatening buzz. To my small self, that fly wasn't a little distraction, it was a crisis with wings. The memory surfaced recently when my daughter Ella sent me the above photo, taken in Quintana Beach County Park, near Houston. The point was clear: Proceed, and you will be under attack, and not by any adorable Northeastern bugs you might be used to. No, these bugs were born in Texas. Beware. Sometimes that is exactly
how challenges feel, especially to kids: Problems loom much larger to them than they do to adults with decades of experience. A broken toy, a skinned knee, a mistake in front of the class, or a slight misunderstanding with a friend may be a fly in the ointment to us, but a Texas-sized monster to a child. The trick is to validate the feeling without validating helplessness. We stand beside them and say, Yes, I know, this feels huge. The bugs, even if they're not as large as they
think, are real. They watch us shoo them away and learn gradually to do it for themselves. If I had seen the sign above, my first instinct would have been to flee back to the safety of the car. And Ella said it was not exaggerating, at least not by much: The moment she stepped onto the property, giant mosquitoes descended, and they were hungry; even leggings soaked with OFF Deep Woods did not deter them. She assures me that the photo she got of the Bay-breasted Warbler was
worth all the bites on the backs of her knees. She knew better than to show me the damage. Clearly, the script has flipped.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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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. |
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The Albany Pine Bush Preserve presents "Nature Night Out", a series of evening events that invite everyone to drop everything and get into nature. The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center will extend operations until 7pm on each of these days, capitalizing on those longer sunlit hours. Visitors of all ages can enjoy live music while feasting on a meal from food truck vendors, go on a StoryWalk adventure along the trail and learn about the natural & cultural history of the Pine Bush with interactive Discovery Center exhibits.
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Kick off Pride season on the stunning Walkway Over the Hudson as we light up the night sky in rainbow. Community groups & happenings will be set up on the parks on both the Dutchess and Ulster sides of the Walkway. Make the most of Pride in the Sky by crossing the bridge in order to see them both.
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Our Wildlife Festival takes place annually on the first weekend of June, and this year’s event will be held on Sunday, May 31st, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The festival coincides with the stunning bloom of wild blue lupines and the emergence of the first brood of the endangered Karner blue butterfly—truly a sight to behold! It is a celebration of wildlife and the natural world, where we bring together local environmental, conservation, recreation, and educational organizations for an enriching experience. The Wildlife Festival offers an opportunity to connect with nature while learning about our local ecosystem, and participating in fun activities such as themed booths, interactive shows, craft stations, and much more! This event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the natural world and engage with a passionate community of nature enthusiasts.
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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!
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- Wiggly Wanderers 9:30am - Moreau Lake State Park - Moreau Lake State Park, Old Saratoga Road, Gansevoort, NY, USA, Friday, May 29, 2026, 9:30 AM
- Nature Night Out - Albany Pine Bush Preserve & Discovery Center - Discovery Center Parking Lot - Discovery Center Parking Lot, New Karner Road, Albany, NY, USA, Friday, May 29, 2026, 4 pm - 7 pm
- Meet the Animals - Grafton Lakes State Park Welcome Center - Grafton Lakes State Park Welcome Center, Grafton Lakes State Park Way, Cropseyville, NY, USA, Friday, May 29, 2026, 2:00-3:00PM
- Pitch in for Parks - Thacher State Park - Thacher State Park,
Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville, NY, USA, Friday, May 29, 2026, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Pride in the Sky - Walkway Over the Hudson - Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park - Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Parker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA, Saturday, May 30, 2026, See website for
details
- Mineral Springs Tour - Saratoga Spa State Park - Saratoga Spa State Park, Creekside Classroom, Geyser Loop Rd, Saratoga Springs, NY, Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11:00 AM
- Mineral Springs Tour - Saratoga Spa State Park - Saratoga Spa State Park, Creekside Classroom, Geyser Loop Rd, Saratoga Springs, NY, Saturday, May 30, 2026, 1:00 PM
- Wildflower Walk: - Creekside Classroom - Creekside Classroom, Geyser Loop Rd,
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA, Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11:00 AM
- Drawing and Painting Spring Plants - Emma Treadwell Thacher Ntr Ct - Emma Treadwell Thacher Ntr Ct, Nature Center Way, Voorheesville, NY, USA, Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
- Farmers Market in Menands - Menands Market Pavilion - Menands Market Pavilion, Broadway, Menands, NY, USA, Saturday, May 30, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm
- Music At
The Market - Delmar Farmers Market - Bethlehem Central Middle School - Bethlehem Central Middle School, Kenwood Avenue, Delmar, NY, USA, Saturday, May 30, 2026, 9 am - 1 pm
- Kinderhook Farmers Market - Village Square - Village Square, Kinderhook, NY, 12106, Saturday, May 30, 2026, 8:30 am -
12:30 pm
- Saratoga Outdoor Markets at High Rock Park - Saratoga Farmers' Market - Saratoga Farmers' Market, High Rock Park, High Rock Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA, Saturday, May 30, 2026, See website for details
- Troy Waterfront Market - Riverfront Park/Monument Square in Troy - 2nd Street and River Street, Troy, NY 12180, Saturday, May 30, 2026, 9 am to 2 pm
- Free Buddhist Temple Tours Upstate New York in Sullivan County Catskills - Kadampa Meditation Center New York - Kadampa Meditation Center New York, Sweeney Rd, Glen Spey, NY, USA, Saturday, May 30, 2026, 1:30PM
- History Stroll - Park Office at 19 Roosevelt Drive - Park Office at
19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY., Sunday, May 31, 2026, 12:00 PM
- Spa City Farmers' Market - The Warming Hut - The Warming Hut, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA, Sunday, May 31, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm
- Sunday School - Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Delmar, NY - 85 Elm Ave, Delmar, NY, 12054, Sunday, May 31, 2026, 9:45 am
- Annual Wildlife Festival - Wilton Wildlife Preserve
& Park; Office Location - Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park; Office Location, Scout Road, Gansevoort, NY, USA, Sunday, May 31, 2026, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Flower Power! at the Ten Broeck Mansion: Free Family Floral Show Tour - Albany County Historical Association-Ten
Broeck Mansion - Albany County Historical Association-Ten Broeck Mansion, 9 Ten Broeck Place, Albany, NY 12210, United States, Sunday, May 31, 2026, 2 pm - 3 pm
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Albany area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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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!
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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.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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