KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
|
|
|
Save the Date Sat, May 2: Maker’s Edge: Community STEAM Day at the Harley School Sat, May 2: Safari Tours start for the season at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure Sat, May 2: Spring Fling Festival from School of Rock, Rochester Fri, May 8 - Sun, May 17: 2026 Rochester Lilac Festival
Sat, May 9: Pink & Teal Challenge from Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester
Thu, May 14-Sun, May 17: Water for Elephants from Stages performed at ROC City Circus
Sat, May 16: Dino ROAR @ Stokoe Farms 2026 - special 20% off discount code Sun, May 17: OrKIDStra: Mother Goose with Rochester City Ballet at
Hochstein Wed, May 27: Geva Theatre Presents Anastasia: The Musical |
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. 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
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
May 2, 2026: Calling all STEAM enthusiasts! Join The Harley School, WXXI Education, and the Rochester Museum and Science Center for “Maker’s Edge: Community STEAM Day” held at Harley on May 2 from 11 am -2 pm. This event is free and open to the public and features hands-on activities; Robotics in Action; NASA Hunch Projects; student science showcase. This Community STEAM Day is recommended for ages 8-14 but open to all.
|
|
|
|
Do you know a college student who is coming home for the summer and looking for a great summer job? WXXI Public Media has several paid internship opportunities, offering students hands-on experience, valuable work lessons, and the opportunity to network. Openings include: The ROUTE (FM88.5) intern, WXXI Classical music intern, Marketing & Creative Services intern, IT intern, and WXXI News intern. They are accepting applications through May 11. Click here to learn more: https://www.wxxi.org/highlights/internships/
|
|
|
|
Cheer on the Rochester Red Wings as they take on the Worcester Red Sox at ESL Ballpark through this Sunday! This exciting homestand is packed with family fun... last night's rained-out game will now be the first game in a doubleheader starting this morning at 11:05 a.m. Friday is Teacher Appreciation Day. Saturday is the City's annual Clean Sweep event (volunteers get a free Clean Sweep T-shirt, a light breakfast, a free ticket to the game, and a voucher for food and drink at the game). Sunday is a Knot Hole game; kids can run the bases with Spikes and Mittsy.
|
|
|
|
Now registering for the 2026-27 school year! The Discovery Academy of Science & Art (DASA) Preschool is located at 597 East Ave. in Rochester. Students learn through play with our science, technology, engineering, art and math and inquiry-based curriculum, and can take advantage of our connections to local museums and cultural institutions. Teachers nurture the development of the whole child by providing a caring environment rich in discovery and imagination. Whether in the classroom, exploring local cultural institutions or the outdoors, DASA Preschool makes learning exciting and enriching, with impressions that last a lifetime. For details, visit www.dasapreschool.org. We offer a…
|
|
|
|
Join us Saturday, May 9th at Monroe Community College to walk or run and have FUN at the Breast Cancer Coalition's annual Pink & Teal Challenge! It's BCCR's largest fundraising event of the year; all proceeds stay local to provide cutting-edge programs and services free-of-charge to anyone touched by a breast or gynecologic cancer diagnosis. Bring your kids to the walk... it's a great cause! Women's-Only 5k Run starts at 9:30am, All-Inclusive Walk starts 9:45am. To register visit: Pink & Teal Challenge.
|
|
|
|
Weekends May 16-31, 2026, 9:30 am to 4 pm: Dino ROAR is BACK by popular demand! Dinosaurs have escaped their handler and have been spotted in the woods at Stokoe Farms. We need you! Help us capture the escaped beasts and get them home. Start your day with our Drive-Thru experience where you will use your Nerf Darts to stun the prehistoric beasts from your own vehicles. Tune-in and listen to the noise of the forest, do you hear the prehistoric footsteps echoing? Back by popular demand, this is the first event of a 2026 full of excitement and wonder. (Tickets are $26.99 - $38.99... Children 2 and under are free.) 20% discount off the price of your tickets with code KOAA20.
|
|
|
|
Hochstein Performance Hall Sunday, May 17 2026 at 2pm: Classic fairytales come to life with the RPO and Rochester City Ballet performing Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. This whimsical journey combines music, movement, and imagination for an enchanting afternoon perfect for young audiences. Get your tickets now!
|
|
|
|
Does your child love animals? Then CountryMax is the perfect place to celebrate. You choose the event. We make it memorable. Kids’ birthday parties. Dog birthday parties. Small Pet Meet & Greet parties. Some party packages include goodie bags for kids or pets! You can bring your own food, cake or decorations. Plus our event specialist is here to help you make it all happen. For details on our party packages, or to discuss your own ideas, visit CountryMax.com/events or email us at [email protected]. Store locations with event rooms include: Auburn, Batavia, Baldwinsville, Brockport, Cortland, Fairport, Henrietta, Ontario, Oswego, Spencerport and Webster. |
|
|
|
Are your kids way into video games? GLG's Gaming and Esports Summer camps provide kids and teens ages 8-12 & 13-16 with the opportunity to build friendships, sharpen skills, and dive into organized competitive gaming. In just one week, campers will learn lifelong skills through team challenges, structured gameplay, and beginner-friendly STEAM activities such as designing their own board and video games!
|
|
|
|
From June 22–August 14 (8 am–5:30 pm), Harley offers flexible summer programs rooted in STEAM, Sustainability, and the Performing Arts. Choose our Summer Experience Day Camp that combines an academy option with traditional camp fun, swimming, and chef-prepared meals, or choose a stand-alone Summer Academy to deep dive into robotics, ceramics, or digital media. Whether exploring new passions or building friendships, your child will thrive in a "village" designed for joy and challenge. Registration is now open—secure your spot for a summer of joy and challenge!
|
|
|
|
GVCA is hosting four Summer Arts Camp for students located on the Livingston County Campus in Mount Morris. Each week is designed to inspire creativity and exploration: Kids Camp (gr 1 - 9) offers a vibrant mix of activities including painting, ceramics, dance, music, and more. Arts Around the World introduces students to traditions from different cultures, and Arts Imagination Lab encourages campers to experiment, invent, and bring their ideas to life. Theater and HS Art Camp (gr. 9 - 12) offer in depth exploration with expert teachers who are passionate about sharing their artistic skills.
|
|
|
|
Register your child for the University of Rochester Warner School of Education and Human Development’s Annual Young Writers Summer Camp, tailored to students in grades 6–12, who love to write and want to spend time with like-minded peers practicing different kinds of writing. New York State-certified teachers provide instruction on multiple writing strategies during the weeklong camp, held August 3–7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in LeChase Hall on the University of Rochester’s River Campus. A 10% discount applies to families with more than one child attending the camp. Register for camp before the July 20 deadline.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday, May 3, 2026 12pm-4pm: The annual Kite Flight at Ontario Beach Park brings Rochesterians of all ages and from all walks of life together on the shores of Great Lake Ontario to celebrate the art and joy of kite flying. Celebrate the warm winds of spring! Kids can make their own kite at noon, public flying is at 1pm, watch performers from Roc City Circus at 12:30 & 2:00 pm, and be amazed at the expert kite flyers at this fun and festive event.
|
|
|
|
May 1-3: To kick off the season in the best way possible, Long Acre Farms is offering FREE admission to the Back 40 play area for opening weekend: from May 1st–3rd—with a non perishable food donation! Help us stock our local food pantries... that’s right! One donation = one free admission. So if you’ve got a family of 5, bring 5 items to join the fun for FREE! Come check out what's new at the farm and help our community at the same time!
|
|
|
|
Sunday, May 3, 12:00 pm–4:00 pm at the MAG: Join us for Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration Day! Enjoy free museum admission and join us as we celebrate together and embrace music, art, culture, community, and more.
|
|
|
|
Join us Friday, May 1st at 7pm for the Improv Student Showcase at the Stages 3rd floor theater at the Auditorium! Free to all- come laugh and support! Using audience suggestions to inform each scene, the performance will include short form improv games (in the style of the popular TV show, “Whose Line is it Anyway”), and a long form improv performance piece. Perfect for kids who are interested in comedy and maybe even trying it out themselves!
|
|
|
|
Stars with Carl is a monthly show at RMSC's Strasenburgh Planetarium devoted to the 1968 Carl Zeiss Mark VI star projector. A live presenter conducts a tour of the night sky using the original planetarium projector. Best for ages 5 and older; 50 minutes. Online ticket sales for public shows are encouraged and end 5 minutes before showtime. Same-day and advance sale tickets are available at the Planetarium box office and Museum reception desk.
|
|
|
|
The 28th Annual Antiques & Artisans Show welcomes dealers from around the region with both fine and primitive 19 -century wares to 20 -century vintage. Plus, shop handcrafted goods by local artisans and explore all GCV&M has to offer!
|
|
|
|
Join author Debi Bower at The Ugly Unicorn on Saturday, May 2, from 1–3 p.m. for a relaxed afternoon celebrating local places and the joy of exploring them. She will be signing copies of her newest book, Highland Park: Frederick Law Olmsted’s Living Landscape in Rochester, New York, as well as Day Trips Around Rochester and Hidden Places Around Rochester. Whether you are discovering these books for the first time or adding to your collection, we would love to see you.
|
|
|
|
Saturday, May 2 at 2pm: See a vast expanse of bluebells and learn about this wild flower and others. Why do some flowers appear only in Spring? When Bluebells disappear what happens to them? Nearby is the Genesee River. (5 minute walk) and more!
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
