KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Save the Date Sun, Feb 22: Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Canandaigua at Historic Downtown Canandaigua
Sun, Feb 22: Last day of Dutch Connection annual flower display at George Eastman Museum
Thu, Feb 26: Open House at Rochester Christian School
Fri, Feb 27: Kids Night Out at Central Rock Gym Rochester Sat, Mar 7: School Choice Fair 2026 at GoodSchoolsRoc Sun, Mar 8: (585) KIDS 2026 Camp Fair at Eastview Mall Sat, Mar 14: Maple Syrup Festival at the Y at Watson Woods
Wed, Mar 18: Dog Man: The Musical at Kodak Center at Kodak Center
Fri, Mar 20: GCV&M Maple Sugar Festival starts
Sat,
Mar 21: Maple Sugaring Weekends start at Cumming Nature Center of RMSC
Sat, Mar 21: Maple Weekend 2026 at Helmer Nature Center
Sat, Mar 21: Maple Weekend 2026 at Schoff's Sugar Shack
Tue, Mar 31: Rochester Red Wings opening day at ESL Ballpark |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
February is Children’s Dental Health Month, which means it's the perfect time to talk about LYING. The first lie my daughter Madison ever attempted was when she was about 3. "Did you brush your teeth?” I asked as she was getting ready for bed. She nodded earnestly, but I had my doubts; a check of the toothbrush revealed it was dry as the Sahara. "Looks like we
need a do-over," I said. "Try again." In a 2025 Delta Dental study of 1000 parents of kids age 12 and under, 67% of respondents reported difficulty in getting their kids to brush their teeth. And in a related but thoroughly unscientific survey, 100% of
the friends I asked told me that their own kids have lied about tooth brushing at least once. See, young children don’t experience truth as adults do; their developing minds blur the line between reality and hope, between what happened and what they would prefer had happened. Brushing is tedious, being done is better. Add a desire to please Mom, and those wires can cross. In those early years, our job is to help kids gradually separate fact from wishful thinking. You might
think that prosecuting dishonesty harshly might scare kids into telling the truth, but that often just scares them into hiding more cleverly. Our goal as parents isn't just to have kids who brush their teeth and do their own homework and someday file tax returns without creative interpretations of “business mileage,” although we do want all those things. But overall, we want kids who are brave enough to be, rather than seem to be. If they see early that
mistakes can be brought into the light and fixed with a do-over, they’re far less likely to build a life around pretending they didn't happen. So my best recommendation for Children's Dental Health Month is to model both scrupulous honesty and scrupulous teeth-brushing yourself. In case you need an immediate solution, though, I hunted down a list of kids' best tooth-brushing songs thoughtfully supplied by the American Dental Association. Grit your teeth and hum along.
—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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Experience the magic of Broadway right here in Rochester! Now through March 1, RBTL's West Herr Auditorium Theatre welcomes the spellbinding sensation Wicked. This unforgettable production reimagines the Land of Oz long before Dorothy arrives, telling the story of two unlikely friends—one green and misunderstood, the other bubbly and beloved—whose bond changes them forever. With dazzling costumes, breathtaking music, and a story full of heart, humor, and courage, WICKED is a must-see for families with kids ages 8 and up. Tickets: https://rbtl.org/events/wicked
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Step into a world of suspense, secrets, and side-splitting fun with How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery at A Magical Journey Thru Stages! This thrilling whodunit is packed with clever twists, dramatic moments, and laugh-out-loud surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first clue to the final reveal. Follow a trail of suspicious characters, hidden motives, and unexpected turns as our talented performers bring this mystery to life. Perfect for families, friends, fans of detective stories, and anyone looking for fun, high-quality theater. Support our students and enjoy an unforgettable night of mystery, laughter, and excitement.
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Partnering with parents to develop a child's head, heart, and hands for Jesus Christ through God's Word and academic excellence has been the mission of Rochester Christian School for over 100 years. Grounded in faith-based learning, RCS is more than just a school—it’s a community where students grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally. At RCS, students think critically and develop a biblical worldview through rigorous academics led by dedicated Christian educators. Every subject is taught through the lens of God's Word, preparing students for future success and a life of faithful service. We invite you to our Open House on Thursday February 26 at 7pm to discover how RCS nurtures the whole child for Christ.
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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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Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts is a tuition-free public charter school for grades K–6. At RA learning is joyful, rigorous, and creative! Academics are enriched through the arts and grounded in a deep commitment to social-emotional learning, ensuring we educate the whole child. With support from our school therapy dog, Remy, students grow with confidence and belonging. Schedule a tour by emailing Mrs. Moyo-White at moyowhite@renacad.org or calling (585) 225-4200 ext. 209. Apply by April 1 for better chances in the 2026-2027 lottery at GoodSchoolsRoc.org or renacad.org.
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Every champion's journey begins with a single spark of wonder while watching the world’s best athletes chase their dreams. This Olympic season, Tim Hortons Iceplex is helping local families turn that inspiration into action through their 101 "Learn To" Ice Sports programs. Whether a child is captivated by the grace of figure skating or the speed of hockey, these sessions are designed to build real confidence in a supportive environment. With the winter games in full swing, there is no better time to let your child discover their own potential and start a journey they will never forget, especially with a fresh round of new classes starting in early March.
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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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Camp at RocVentures focuses on getting kids active and socializing through climbing, team building, and a variety of other engaging games and activities. Absolutely no climbing experience is required. Let us challenge your kids while encouraging teamwork and building confidence—all while having fun and making new friends! Camp info for this summer can be found at https://www.rocventuresclimbing.com/camps
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ECMS was recently voted “Best Music School” in CITY’s “Best of Rochester 2025” readers’ poll and the 2025 Rochester Choice Awards—for the third year in a row! We have prepared exciting summer programs for Rochester community. To fit your schedule, we’re offering programs in different formats—weekly rehearsals, weekend intensives, and half- and full-day options. From toddlers to professionals, blowers to bowers, pluckers to singers – we are here for you! Find the option for your family: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/community/ecms-summer-offerings/
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Lollypop Farm Camp is a perfect summer experience for children and teens who want to learn more about the animals they love! Your camper will love meeting new friends with similar interests, learning about the animals at Lollypop Farm, and exploring exciting jobs working with animals. Camps include Future Vet Camp and Animal Ed-Ventures and are available for grades 2-6. Details at https://www.lollypop.org/programs/summer-camp.
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Come down to the Zoo to celebrate Free Youth February! For every adult who purchases an admissions ticket in February, up to five youth guests (ages 4-14) can join them on their Zoo visit for free. Children ages 3 and under are always free of charge. Seneca Park Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last entry at 3 p.m. Free youth offer only valid on the same day of purchase.
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Fire & Ice Festival returns to Canandaigua Feb 21–22! Ice sculptures, fire shows, animals, food & family fun. Sat 11–5, Sun 11–4.
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Sat, Sept 21: Learn the process of maple sugaring from sap to syrup. Morning walks at 10:00am discuss the history of maple sugaring, maple tree identification and wildlife of the sugar bush. To learn how present-day maple syrup is made, the sugar house will be open from 10:00am-12:30pm and even some samples! Meet at the Humphrey Nature Center. 0 miles.
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Saturday, February 21 from 4:30–8:00 PM at Flower City Arts Center, the 19th Annual Flower City Chili Cook-Off brings the heat for one of Rochester’s tastiest fundraisers of the year! Sample delicious chili from local favorites like Voula’s, Dogtown, Jeremiah’s Tavern, Jines Restaurant, The Sheffield, and more—then cast your vote for the best in town. Each ticket includes a beautiful hand-made chili bowl (valued at $25–$100) to take home! Come hungry and ready for friendly competition, community spirit, and an unforgettable evening that supports the entire center and its facilities.
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Saturday, February 14th thru Friday, February 20th, 12:00pm-2:00pm Visit the Humphrey Nature Center and build your own snowman or snow creation in our snow pile! Children of all ages welcomed to join! Stop in for some hot cocoa at 1:30 pm and watch a short snow video.
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Saturday Feb 21 and March 14, 10:30AM - 11:15AM: Come visit with the therapy dogs and read some stories! We will learn about therapy dogs, interacting with dogs, dog body language, and more. For ages 4-8. Every purchase supports our programs for underserved youth, children with disabilities, and their teachers & therapists.
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Every Saturday from January 17th through February 21st at 10 AM and 1 PM. Bundle up and join us for a family-friendly 1-mile snowshoe trek through marshes, grasslands, and forested trails. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just curious about winter wildlife, this inclusive outing is perfect for all ages (5+). If there is no snow, we'll still hit the trails for a wintery walk!
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February Break week is all about toys in the Children’s Center with a different theme each day. Food Friday - Buy, sell, cook, bake, serve and play with all your favorite foods!
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Sat., Feb 21, 1PM: Black History Month celebration: The Rochester Jamaican Organization returns to the Rochester Public Library Central Library for the second year in a row! Program attendees will get the opportunity to learn about the rich history, culture and traditions of Jamaica during an informative lecture. Last and certainly not least, join as we experience the flavors of the island with FREE food provided by local Caribbean restaurants.
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(585) KIDS Summer Camp & Activity Fair is SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 11AM – 4PM Don’t miss the annual 585 Kids Summer Camp & Activity Fair at Eastview Mall! Kids and their families are invited to
visit the fair and chat with representatives from a ton of programs including day camps, overnight camps, STEM camps, sports camps, outdoor summer activities, performing arts camps, and more! For more info, visit 585Kids.com. |
Stay warm!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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