KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Save the Date Fri, Apr 3: April 3: Last day to register for Bloomfield 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament April 11 at The Bloomfield Center Court Club Sat, Apr 4: 2026 Riedman Foundation Trout Derby in Powder Mills Park Sat, Apr 4: Amerks 5:05 pm Saturday Home Game at Blue Cross Arena Sat, Apr 11: Enter to win tickets to A Bad Case of Stripes at TYKEs Theatre at TYKEs (Theatre Young Kids Enjoy) Sat, Apr 11: Bloomfield 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at The Bloomfield Center Court Club Fri/Sat, Apr 24 & 25, 2026: SPACE!: Reprise of RPO April 2024 Eclipse Concert at Eastman Theatre Sat, Apr 25, 2026: Imagine RIT annual creativity & innovation festival Wed, May 27: Geva Theatre Presents Anastasia: The Musical |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
One of the best things about spring is that it turns all of us into treasure hunters. After a long winter, we adults start scanning the world for signs that life is returning: We notice the first mist of green in a forest's understory, the first brave crocus, the first daffodil. If we point out loud, kids catch on quickly, drawn by the thrill of seeking what
winter was hiding even just a few weeks ago, and they're ready to find magic behind every tree. Of course, here in the Rochester area, spring can be stingy in early April: The calendar may insist it’s here, but the yard is still beige, the trees are still bare, and the only things blooming outside are spreading patches of mud. But there’s no rule that says spring surprises have to come only from Mother Nature! That’s one reason I’m such a fan of egg
hunts. Last year, I wrote an extremely popular step-by-step article showing how to Turn Easter Into a Treasure Hunt, complete with a printable PDF of rhyming clues. It’s right there waiting for you, ready to make you look like a genius with practically zero effort. And if you want to kick it up a notch and invite a crowd, our article Easter Egg Hunts: Tips and Tricks for a Great Party lays out the
strategies for what may be the easiest, fastest, best-bang-for-the-buck kids’ party on Earth. Sure, egg hunts feature prominently in our culture's Easter traditions, but they needn't belong only to Easter, they're a wonderful diversion anytime, in any context. Spring is a season that proves there’s treasure everywhere. Sometimes the universe provides the fun for us. And sometimes we create it ourselves.
—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. Connect more. Do 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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What's more fun than an Easter Egg Hunt at Easter? Knowing WHERE they are, though, is key to actually GOING! Check out the scrolling box below for all of the Easter events and egg hunts in our area.
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Summer Camps in Rochester: KidsOutAndAbout's Rochester-NY area 2026 summer camp guide for kids! Hundreds of local summer camps: day camps, overnight camps, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool,
& more! Pick the dates you want to explore on our calendar and see what summer camps are available.
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Please mark your calendars for Saturday, April 4 and come experience one of Monroe County’s favorite community traditions! The Powder Mills Park Fish Hatchery’s Annual Fish Derby, hosted by The Riedman Foundation, is a fun, safe, and educational event that introduces kids and families to fishing, outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just casting your first line, this long-standing tradition offers a great opportunity to reel in some fun, test your skills, and compete for prizes. Ages 9+ pay just $5 to participate, and kids 8 and under are free!
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Don't miss the RMSC's "Astronaut" exhibit before it leaves Rochester's orbit after May 3, 2026! Visitors of all ages can enjoy this hands-on exhibit about the life of a space explorer. Find out what your height would be in space (it changes!), what kind of experiments astronauts conduct, how space explorers sleep/brush their teeth/use the toilet, and MORE! Make sure to bring a crew, this exhibit features a lot of teamwork.
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April 11–19, 2026: In this fun musical adaptation of David Shannon’s beloved book, Camilla thinks she must choose between her favorite food – lima beans – and the acceptance of those around her. But the harder she tries to conform to other people’s opinions, the more miserable (and colorful) she becomes. With infectious energy and a heartfelt message, A Bad Case of Stripes reminds audiences of all ages that embracing your true colors is the key to self-discovery and acceptance. Ages 4+
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An innovative children's art studio in Bushnell's Basin designed to spark imagination, boost confidence, and support the growth of children and families of all abilities. Join us to explore your inner artist through painting, drawing, sculpting, and mixed-media classes. Our Spring 2026 session runs April 12 - May 22. It’s the perfect way to introduce young children to the joy of creating while making new friends and lasting memories. Find more at www.lemonsqueezyartstudio.com.
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Dick’s House of Sport is gearing up for an unforgettable summer with high‑energy camps designed to build athletic skills, confidence, teamwork, and leadership. Kids ages 6–13 can explore a variety of sports each week, including running with Girls on the Run, soccer with Flower City Union, baseball and softball, football skills and drills, and lacrosse. Camps run Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to 12:30pm and are led by passionate teammates and trusted local partners. Each week is $120, and financial assistance is available for families who need support. Questions can be sent to [email protected] or answered by phone at 585‑282‑0000. |
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Is your child looking for adventure this summer? Does he or she love to play outdoors? Mountain High Adventure Camp has been providing fun outdoor adventures for boys and girls ages 7 to 16 for over 25 years. The younger kids go hiking, geocaching, swimming, biking, treasure hunts, canoeing and kayaking, games and exploring locally with an overnight camp to one of our great State Parks at the end of the week. The older teens spend 6 days camping in the Adirondacks with rock climbing, swimming, hiking one of the mountains and a back-country canoe trip. For more information about this year's opportunities, click the graphic to visit our website. See you this summer!
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Spend the summer at Spotlight singing, acting and dancing in these amazing musicals. K-4th graders can participate in “Jungle Book Kids” and Willy Wonka Kids. 4-8th grade productions include Willy Wonka Jr. and Mean Girls Jr. 8-12th graders are performing “Dear Evan Hansen." The all-ages K-12th grade productions are “The Little Mermaid Jr” and “The Spongebob Musical." Auditions for each production take place the first days of camp after learning audition material. These camps are open to all skill levels. Newcomers will discover the thrill of musical theatre while experienced performers will be challenged to find new skills!
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Your Adventure Begins Now! Girl Scout Camp encourages you to explore the outdoors, try something new, and build skills that last a lifetime. Whether you’re discovering the wildlife in your own backyard, swimming in a lake for the first time, or being a citizen scientist and observing bees in your neighborhood park, every outdoor adventure grows your “I’ve got this” attitude. And once you unlock that confidence, you’ll aim as high as the stars you see outside your cabin window. Head to https://www.gswny.org/en/camp-and-outdoors/summer_camp.html for the full list of 2026 programs.
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Looking for an activity to keep your children mentally stimulated while also providing an excellent physical workout? Encourage them to try the Olympic sport of fencing! Explore the heart of the warrior while learning the fundamentals of foil and saber fencing. Fencing helps young people develop focus, coordination, balance, and endurance and also emphasizes the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence. Children will experience the thrill of swordplay in a safe environment. Suitable for both beginners and those with previous instruction; campers are grouped by age and level of experience. See details at www.rocfencing.com/summer-camp or reach us at [email protected] or 585-654-6047 for more information regarding your summer camp options. |
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Looking for an exciting and enriching summer camp for your child? Martial Arts America’s Summer Karate Camps offer a safe, fun, and action-packed experience led by expert Black Belt instructors. Designed for ages 6–12, each week features a unique theme, exciting activities, games, crafts, obstacle courses, and daily karate classes—perfect for beginners and experienced kids alike! With locations in Brighton, Penfield, and Webster, plus early drop-off and late pickup options, we make summer easy for busy parents. No prior martial arts experience needed—just tons of fun, fitness, and confidence-building! Learn more and reserve a spot at www.Rochesterkarate.com.
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For over 40 years, SummerWrite has inspired Rochester’s children and teens to write their own stories, make new friends, and discover creative ways to express themselves. Choose from 29 different camps that explore fiction and fantasy, puppetry, graphic novels, playwriting and filmmaking, D&D, music, and more! Highly skilled teaching artists deliver engaging programs that build new skills while centering joy in the learning process. These dynamic camps nurture creativity, confidence, and community. For ages 7-17. Need-based scholarships are available for every SummerWrite camp. Don’t wait: reserve your spot today!
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Nazareth Elementary’s Pre-Kindergarten Program offers far more than childcare — it provides a joyful, nurturing school environment where young learners grow academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Our full-day, five-day-a-week program blends strong early literacy and math foundations with hands-on exploration, creative play, and age-appropriate routines that prepare children with confidence for Kindergarten and beyond. Pre-K students enjoy enriching specials including Library, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Dance, fostering curiosity and a love for learning from the very beginning. Rooted in faith and guided by loving educators, children are known, supported, and celebrated each day. Families also benefit from the added advantage that Pre-K tuition qualifies for…
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What is CSA? Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) offers the opportunity for people, of a specific geographic region to support a local farm, the local community and the rural economy. Through annual enrollment (by purchasing a share) the share holder helps the farmer with much needed funds at the beginning of the growing season while knowing the share holder will receive (on a weekly basis once the picking season starts) the freshest possible produce grown by the farmer. It gives the share holder the chance to really learn about and know who is growing their food. If you are interested in our 2026 CSA please email [email protected] for information. |
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Nazareth's School of Music is proud to present Englebert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. Follow the children of this classic story as they venture into the woods in search of strawberries, but lose their way and encounter enchanted beings, including an evil witch. Can they trick the witch and return safely home? Presented with the Nazareth Orchestra, this spring's opera is a sweet treat for the whole family.
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Get ready to giggle and gasp at Grossology, the Strong Museum’s newest traveling exhibit—where science gets slimy, silly, and seriously fun! It’s the perfect mix of science and silliness for kids of all ages—and it’s all included with museum admission! Don’t miss this wonderfully weird exhibit while it's in town!
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Visit with Peter Rabbit and go on an Easter Egg hunt to win goodie bags! The Easter Bunny will be hopping down the Railroad Trail! Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Goodie Bags, Face Painting Fun for all ages! Important Notice: Please make sure to purchase all tickets together in one transaction to guarantee your group sits together. The seats you purchase will be the seats you ride in for that train ride.
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Hop on over to the Aquarium for SEAster on Saturday, April 4th, and enjoy an egg hunt under the sea! Come meet the Easter Bunny and stay for story time and a bunny hop dance lesson.
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Join us for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the farm on Saturday, April 4 from 12–2 PM for children ages 3–12. Enjoy an egg hunt, activities, a DJ, raffles, and a visit with the Easter Bunny, refreshments for sale and wagon rides around the farm.
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Saturday, April 4, 9:30-3:30: Bring the family to Eggstravaganza, where kids of all ages can explore the Zoo, search for eggs, solve our password hunt, and win prizes along the way!
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Sunday, April 5, 9am-6pm: We’re bringing a touch of Easter magic to ROC Kid City. Children can explore, find a hidden egg, and enjoy a special prize. One egg per child. Limited quantities available.
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Looking for something creative to do during Spring Break? Bring the whole family to explore all MAG has to offer! Kids age 18 and under receive free general admission with the purchase of an accompanying adult ticket.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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