KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Wed, Jul 15: Flor Bromley’s Fiesta Global at Caramoor
Fri, Jul 17: Catskill Mountain Railroad Dinosaur Express
Sat, Jul 18: Blueberry Bash at Fishkill Farms
Sat, Jul 18: Pride in July at Barton Orchards
Sat, Jul 18: Teddy Bear Festival at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Sat, Jul 18: Fabric & Fashion at Philipsburg Manor
Sun, Jul 19: American Museum of Natural History FIFA World Cup 2026™ Watch Parties
Wed, Jul 22: Hopalong Andrew at Caramoor
Wed, Jul 22: Pollinator Tower Project at Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum
Thu, Jul 23: Bluey's Big Play
Fri, Jul 24: Stars, Stripes & Sanctuary
Sat, Jul 25: June Farms Kite Festival
Sat, Aug 1: 13th Annual Mess Fest
Fri, Aug 14: 2026 Esopus Creek Puppet Suite |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
In last week's column, I wrote about the Humble Abode, the kids-only hideout my sister and I created behind the giant azalea bush in our backyard. We dragged in chairs and treasures and made a little home in the hollowed-out
branches. At the time, I thought of it as something we had built. But of course, we didn’t create it from nothing. We were makers, yes, but we were making inside a world that was already alive. Summer is the perfect time for kids to experience that lesson up close and personal, with all their senses. The world is warm, green, buzzing, blooming, squelching, chirping, dripping, and growing almost too fast to track. Kids can smell lake water and tomato leaves, feel bark and moss
and mud, watch ants organize themselves with alarming competence, and notice that the same trail looks different after rain. Nature doesn’t need a lesson plan. It offers immediacy first: I am here. This is real. Pay attention. And then, quietly, it offers perspective. A child is legitimately the center of his or her own universe; we all are, from the inside. But Nature gently complicates that story. The robin is not singing for us. The creek does not hurry because we
are late. The sunflower turns toward the sun whether or not anyone remembers to admire it. Clouds, tides, weeds, and weather all proceed with their ancient business, reminding us that we belong to a world much larger than our schedules and preferences. That perspective should not make us feel small in a bad way, but instead help us feel rightly-sized. Humans have the wonderful ability to create, repair, improve, and beautify our little corners of the universe. But we do it
best when we understand the nature of the world we’re working within. So use this summer to include as much Outside Green Time as you can, looking up and around and in. Poke gently. Nature will do the rest.
—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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This summer, the vineyard comes alive with unforgettable experiences in partnership with local businesses, artisans, and Hudson Valley favorites. Expect a season of outdoor events, live entertainment, hands-on activities, and plenty of wine. From an R&B cookout with Tom Swoope featuring live DJs, vendors, and a live band, to a weekend wellness day with Pilates, sound healing, and wellness specialists, there’s something for every vibe. Explore a motorcycle show with classic bikes, demos, and food, or close out the season with a beginner-friendly salsa class and Latin dance party. Join us in the vineyard and discover something new all summer long!
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Simon’s Rock at Bard College offers rising 11th and 12th graders the opportunity to leave high school early to begin college at Simon’s Rock. With immediate college-level study and a supportive, close-knit campus, Simon’s Rock is ready for students who are ready for more. Located in Barrytown, NY, day and boarding options are available. It’s not too late to apply for fall 2026 admission. Visit our campus on Wednesdays or Fridays from 12-3pm through the end of August. Learn more at simons-rock.edu
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Roar into Adventure on the Catskill Mountain Railroads Dinosaur Express! Grab your Explorer’s hat and take a train ride back in time to the Jurassic Period and discover the magic of Dinosaurs! After departing our station our passengers will suddenly find themselves back in the days when dinosaurs ruled the earth. One of the highlights of this train ride is the presence of roaming dinosaurs and friendly dinosaur hunters onboard. Let your little ones’ imaginations run wild as they encounter these
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The Cazenovia Lavender Festival returns to Upstate New York during peak lavender bloom season with live music, artisan vendors, food trucks, wellness workshops, family activities, and u-pick lavender experiences at Farmstead 1868.
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Join us for Pony Palooza, a special day celebrating our ponies and the joy of horseback experiences at Bailiwick Animal Park & Riding Stables. This fun, hands-on event takes place inside the indoor arena and is perfect for young horse lovers who want to spend time around the barn and get up close with our ponies. Pony-themed merchandise will be available for purchase throughout the day. Bring your young horse lovers and join us for a fun day at the barn!
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Come enjoy fresh seafood, summer flavors, and festival fun at Barton Orchards! The 1st Annual Seafood Festival at Barton Orchards is a summer celebration bringing together fresh seafood, exceptional food offerings, and a vibrant festival atmosphere in one of the Hudson Valley’s most popular destinations! In addition to food, the event will feature festival-style entertainment, local shopping vendors, games, and activities—making it a full-day destination rather than just a meal. Whether guests attend for the seafood, the atmosphere, or a memorable summer outing, the Seafood Festival truly offers something for everyone.
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This summer, five spectacular family-friendly movies will be shown on the big screen beneath the Walkway Over the Hudson at the Upper Landing Park in Poughkeepsie in 2026. All Movies Under the Walkway events are free to attend!
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Kick off summer with a Barnyard Bash! Learn about the summer wheat harvest, use a block and tackle to help get our grain delivery up to the attic of the mill, create a miniature Dutch barn to take home, and take part in a live animal meet and greet with Blue Barn Rescue.
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Early Explorers is a dedicated space for families with children up to age 5 to explore, play, and recharge. Discover a selection of books, toys, and activities.
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2026'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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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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It's almost time for fruit picking! Fruit picking is a great activity to do together as a family. It helps little ones understand where their food actually comes from, and it's a fun tradition to share every year right through the teens.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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