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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When school is out, the animal adventures begin! At Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Spring Break Critter Camp, kids spend their days meeting amazing animal ambassadors, creating themed crafts, playing team games, and discovering the fascinating ways animals
live, communicate, and thrive. Each day brings new hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, compassion, and unforgettable memories.
Families can choose single-day drop-ins or full-week fun, making it easy to build the perfect spring break adventure. And if your young animal lover can’t get enough, the excitement continues with our Summer Critter Camps, where new themes and animal encounters keep the learning and fun going all season long.
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Supported by dedicated volunteers, SAPLINGS is a family program designed by our Education Team to support early childhood connections to nature through play and seasonal activities.
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DMA Spring Break—where stars align and creativity shines! Spark, connect, and create during these fun-filled days of art-making activities, story times, sensory play, and gallery activities for families, all inspired by our current exhibition
Constellations: Contemporary Jewelry at the Dallas Museum of Art.
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Foodies and craft beer aficionados will love SeaWorld's Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival, featuring craft beer from favorite local breweries, plus fresh international cuisine infused with local, sustainable ingredients and unique signature flavors
from around the world. In addition to hundreds of tasty bites and delicious drinks, guests can enjoy live music and their favorite animal exhibits, including dolphins, sea lions, bat rays, flamingos, sea otters, and more.
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Discover the world of Wild Orchard Tea. Explore the diverse health benefits through informative lectures and stations, all while savoring an array of culinary creations infused with teas.
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Come support the San Diego Gulls this season. Watch our home hockey team at the Pechanga Arena.
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Visit Nature Studio and let your creativity soar in our nature-inspired maker space, open 10 AM-2 PM.
Design and build one-of-a-kind crafts using upcycled materials and your wildest ideas—then take your masterpiece home to show it off. All ages are welcome, but curiosity and imagination are a must.
Free with general admission and all supplies provided, so come ready to create something amazing.
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We are excited to offer FREE Family Art Workshops at ArtReach, made possible by the generous support of the TahDah Foundation and The City of San Diego CPPS Grant, City Council District 3, Councilmember Stephen Whitburn.
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Bonjour! Welcome to our fragrant adventure! No experience necessary – just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm. Join us in crafting your very own signature scent under the guidance of our in-house French Perfume Designer, Jil Croquet.
This workshop is an enjoyable three-hour session where you’ll dive into the art of perfume-making. From uncovering composition secrets to the sheer joy of smelling and blending scents, you’ll gain hands-on experience while learning the basics of fragrance design.
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Bring the whole family and "laugh 'til your cheeks hurt" at the comedy antics of Magic Castle performer Steve Taylor, a professional ventriloquist and magician who combines the two art forms to enchant and enthrall audience members aged 3 to 103. It may be
hard to get into Hollywood's World Famous Magic Castle, but after 160 plus performances there, Steve will be bringing his family-friendly act to the Marie Hitchcock Balboa Park Puppet theater on March 21 & 22, 2026 for everyone to experience!
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Book this private 45-Minute In-Person Tour for an opportunity to meet with our Director, Heather Davis, to learn more about our English/Spanish Bilingual Immersion programs. During the tour, our Director will dive into our Toddler, Primary - Kindergarten
programs. She'll be sure to answer any questions you may have while talking about how Montessori will benefit your child and your family.
Simply choose the date and that works best for you. Upon booking, you will receive a confirmation email so that you have the meeting details to save on your calendar.
Your child is welcome to join you on this tour!
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This event features open swim in our 85-degree heated pool, our award-winning giant floating obstacle course, underwater and dry-land spring egg hunts, bouncy houses, a special Glow in the Dark egg hunt, and local vendors. Plus, the Bunny will make an
appearance for meet and greet photo opportunities!
**The underwater egg hunt will include both floating and sunken eggs in the shallow end of the pool (2.5-3 feet of water) for participants to collect eggs with their age groups, then turn in the collected eggs for prizes. All eggs used for the underwater egg hunt remain property of Plunge San Diego and must be returned. Eggs picked up during the dry-land hunt can be kept by the participants.
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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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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the San Diego 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 fingertips!
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the San Diego area? 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 San Diego 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 best places to take kids in San Diego as voted by parents. Who won the top spot? An indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports team? Click through to find out, as well as favorite Arts Educator, Sports Educator, and STEM educator! Plus
there is LOTS more to do in San Diego!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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