KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter for the Ann Arbor / Detroit Metro Area |
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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, NY. 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
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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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Join us for an exciting series just for preschoolers. Bring your munchkin (ages 3-6) to the nature center for a favorite story and related hands-on, nature-based activity. Events in the series take place on the first Friday of each month.
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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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Experience color, form, and luminosity in an entirely new way at CHIHULY at Meijer Gardens, where vibrant glass installations transform the Gardens — plus an optional indoor gallery experience as well as a guided tour.
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Learn about conservation from Wayne County Parks staff as well as some partner organizations, such as the University of Michigan Environmental Interpretive Center, Bees in the D, and Huron Clinton Metroparks. Live animals, crafts, games, and inflatables will help deliver the fun as well as lessons you can take home! You’ll be green with envy if you miss this one!
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A beginner cookie decorating experience and an evening of fun, laughter & new skills! Kristel’s Cookie Creations will guide you through each step of the process in decorating custom cookies. This class is perfect for all skill levels. By the end of the session, you will have learned basic piping and flooding techniques and will go home with a box of beautifully decorated cookies. Ages 5+ (1 ticket per pair)
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Join us for the St. Florian Strawberry Festival, May 2nd and 3rd, at St. Florian Parish Hamtramck! There will be Polish food, fun, music, dancing, entertainment and of course, strawberry desserts.
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Rainbow Fish comes to life in this interactive theatre experience for younger kids. With crafts and simple activities built into the show, children can move, participate, and stay engaged instead of just sitting and watching. A fun, easy outing for families.
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On behalf of the Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Committee, it is with great joy to announce the date for our annual parade. The 23rd Annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade, will once again be held on Monroe Street in Historic Greektown Detroit! The parade date will be on, Sunday, April 6 at 3:00pm.
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AAPS is out of school, so the Starbright Entertainment heroes have planned something cool! It’s a one-day extravaganza exploring hero stories through hands-on science, art, engineering, and movement challenges. Best of all, Spiderman and Mulan will help campers find the hero within!
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- Rainbow Fish: Interactive Kids Show with Crafts - Community Lutheran Church, 23984 Gibraltar Rd, Flat Rock, Michigan, USA, May 1-3, 2026, 5/1: 6:30 pm, 5/2: 6:30 pm 5/3: 2:30 pm
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Detroit - Ann Arbor - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, May 2-3, 2026, See link for times
- ECO FAIR - Wayne County Parks, 33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland, MI 48185, May 2, 2026, 1:00-3:00 PM
- St. Florian Parish Strawberry Festival 2026 - 3401 Evaline Street, Hamtramck, MI, USA, May 2-3, 2026, Saturday 5PM - 10PM and Sunday 12PM -
7PM
- Camp Kenan Open House Healthy Kids Day - YMCA Camp Kenan, 8571 Lower Lake Road, Barker, NY 14012, May 2, 2026, 10:00am to 2:00pm
- 24th Annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade - Monroe Street, Greektown, Detroit, MI 48226, May 3, 2026, 3:00 PM
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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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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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