KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes. I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out of it. “This
makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.” Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy. That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too. Karate helped
Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts. Growth rarely happens
inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the link
to the portal page. These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.
—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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World Frog Day is celebrated annually on March 20th to raise awareness about frogs and other amphibians, highlighting their ecological importance and the threats they face.
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Capture the Magic of Spring! We are thrilled to announce that Bunny photo reservations are now open at Cross County Center! Ensure your family and friends (and pets) get to experience the joy and wonder of the season by booking your visit with Bunny
today.
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A St. Patrick’s Celebration at the Barn! Join us for a fun and festive day designed especially for young horse lovers! Your child will: meet & groom one of our ponies, learn basic horse care & safety, enjoy a lead-line ride, paint their own “Lucky
Horseshoe” to take home, and take photos with our decorated Unicorn! Ages 4-10 recommended.
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Come out and see us for our Annual Open House at Brookside Maple & Farm! We'll show you how we make NYS Maple Syrup as we participate in Maple Weekend 2026! Maple Weekend has been a family tradition in NYS since approximately 1995 and gives families the
opportunity to tour their local sap houses and to learn all about maple production in NYS! Maple Weekend is an event that runs for two consecutive weekends, and we're just one of the many Maple Producers in NYS that participate in this great event. Be sure to check out the Maple Weekend FB page and website for more information!
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Our Maple Weekends are back for 2026. We look forward to seeing everyone on the farm for another great maple season.
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The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.
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- Free Buddhist Temple Tours - Sweeney Rd, Glen Spey, NY, Friday, March 20, 2026 at 1:30 PM
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Hudson
Valley - Broadway, New York, NY, Friday, March 20, 2026, See link for times
- Safe Harbors of the
Hudson Newburgh Winter Farmers Market - 111 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550, Friday, March 20, 2026 at 10 am - 2 pm
- Free Buddhist Temple Tours - Sweeney Rd, Glen Spey, NY, Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 1:30
PM
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Hudson Valley - Broadway, New York, NY,
Saturday, March 21, 2026, See link for times
- Teens Take the Universe at Hudson River Museum - 511 Warburton Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701, Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 5 pm - 6:30 pm
- Future Teller Workshop - 7th Street, Verplanck, NY, Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 1pm-4pm
- Free Buddhist Temple Tours - Sweeney Rd, Glen Spey, NY, Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 1:30 PM
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Hudson
Valley - Broadway, New York, NY, Sunday, March 22, 2026, See link for times
- Future Teller Workshop - 7th Street, Verplanck, NY, Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 1pm-4pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Hudson Valley 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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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Hudson Valley 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.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Hudson Valley? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues 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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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Hudson Valley 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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2025's winners in KidsOutAndAbout's annual survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Hudson Valley. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Favorite Art Educator, Favorite Sport Educator,
and Favorite STEM Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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