KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter for the Ann Arbor / Detroit Metro Area |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: One day last week, I was driving home around 7 pm when I glanced out the passenger's window and saw a stunning rainbow stretched fully across the sky, glowing in front of dark gray storm clouds that were rushing away to the east. I was approaching a stop light. Left was the way home, where various chores awaited... but right was the way to the rainbow. My husband was driving
behind me, and I knew that if I turned right, he was going to think I had lost my mind. For a split second, practicality made its case: Don’t be silly; go home, you have stuff to do. But then another question darted into my mind: Am I a person who chases rainbows, or am I not? Once I framed it that way, the answer was easy. For kids and grownups alike, this can actually be a helpful way to make all kinds of decisions. When the moment
comes to act, it helps to ask not just What do I feel like doing? but Who am I? Am I a person who tells the truth? Am I a person who helps? Am I a person who persists when times are hard? Am I a person who stops to notice the beautiful things around me? We build identity one choice at a time for our entire lives. The clearer we are about who we want to be, the easier it becomes to know what to do in the moment, to give ourselves evidence that we are, in fact, that sort of
person. I hope the kids in your world grow up thinking of themselves as people who seek what is bright and good and full of wonder. It’s our job to show them that delight is often worth the detour.
—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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Ann Arbor Summer Camps That Actually Keep Kids Engaged (9–5 Full Day) Looking for a summer camp your child will actually love and that solves your day? iCode Ann Arbor offers hands-on tech camps where kids build games, explore robotics, and create with AI—not just play on screens. Camps run 9–5 with small groups, guided instruction, and real projects kids are proud of. Designed for ages 6–15, from beginners to advanced learners. Spots are limited, and families are already enrolling. Right now, save $150 with our Grand Opening offer. View camps and reserve your spot: https://icodeschool.com/ann-arbor-mi/camps/
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Join PYTMI’s Summer Camps for 10 weeks of creativity, confidence, and fun! From musical theatre and improv to storytelling, dance, and design, campers ages 4–18 explore the arts in a welcoming, high-energy environment. Each week ends with a live performance, giving every student a chance to shine. Whether your child is brand new or already loves the stage, PYTMI offers an inspiring space to learn, grow, and make lasting friendships.
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Join us this year for another exciting year of Spark! Camps at the Michigan Science Center. Campers will explore Mi-Sci’s 220+ interactive exhibits, engage in immersive theater experiences, and investigate fascinating science phenomena through hands-on activities and experiments.
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Here's a fun way for your children to practice their reading skills now and through the summer: Rescue Reading at the Humane Society of Huron Valley! Ages 6-11 are welcome to join us select Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. to read to the animals. The dogs and cats are not only a non-judgmental audience-- they also love it! The program includes time reading to our adoptable animals, a group read-aloud and a dog meet-and-greet. This is a drop-off event designed for ages 6-11. For children under 6, please check out Little Paws Toddler Time at hshv.org/youth.
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The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Earl Lee round out an extraordinary 25-26 concert season with Holst’s towering celestial masterpiece The Planets, plus Elgar’s poignant cello concerto with in-demand German virtuoso Maximilian Hornung.
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Attention Homeschool Families! Join us every Friday from 12-3PM for a discounted rate!
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Celebrate nature with Auburn Hills Recreation this Earth Month! This family friendly Eco Celebration will include sustainable activities for those big and small.
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In honor of Celebrate Trails Day, an annual event from the Rail to Trails Conservancy, the OAC is celebrating our very own neighborhood rail trail! Join us for our Trails Expo on the Dequindre Cut, which was once a line on the Grand Trunk Railroad. This outdoor adventure features local experts in hiking, biking, paddling and more. Learn tips and tricks for hitting the trails from the best, then test out your skills in hands-on workshops.
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Celebrate Earth Day with creativity and sustainability! Join us for our Earth Day Art Supply Swap, where you can refresh your art stash while keeping usable supplies out of the landfill. Purchase a reusable tote for $20 and fill it with as many art supplies as you can fit. Larger or specialty items will be available for a small additional price. This event is a partnership with Huron Valley State Bank’s Green Team. HVSB will be collecting art supply donations for the art swap at both their Milford and Highland locations! This event coincides with their Shred Day, where you can take documents that need shredding to HVSB and recycle those documents.
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The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is a truly breathtaking experience for all ages. John Ball Zoo is the first and only place you can see these incredible works of art in Michigan. The lantern festival will feature handcrafted Asian lantern displays that will illuminate the Zoo and tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture.
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One more reason to love half-days at school ... get a shake at MilkShake Factory for half off! Every time there's a half day at Ann Arbor or Saline schools, students get 50% off any milkshake from 12-4 pm that day!
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Discover, connect and learn at the Detroit Zoo’s monthly Animal Day Celebrations! Each month, we will spotlight a featured animal or topic with an in-person celebration full of fun and discovery. Included with Zoo admission, these events offer opportunities to learn from our animal care team, enjoy hands-on activities and collect exclusive Animal Day Passport Cards unique to each event. Join us and explore the wonders of the animal kingdom!
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Detroit - Ann Arbor - Shoott, Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 04/25/2026 - 04/26/2026, See link for times
- Earth Month Celebration Downtown Auburn Hills - Riverside Park, 3311 Parkways Boulevard, Auburn Hills, MI, USA, 04/25/2026, 10:00AM - 3:00PM
- Chess A2Z April Webinar with WGM Zoey Tang "Think in Pawn Structures: The Key Positional Ideas You Must Know" - Chess A2Z, 10940 SW Barnes Rd 247, Portland, OR 97225, 04/26/2026, 7PM to 8PM PDT
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Ann Arbor - Detroit 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…
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Dallas 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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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