Dear KOA readers:

As Madison's 11th birthday approaches at the end of the summer, I'm ever more aware that my kids are growing up fast. Yours are, too! Some of Madison's friends are starting to experience issues common to teenagers and adults, which has reminded me that older the kids get, the more likely they are to encounter situations in which they need to rely on their own grasp of principles. So it's our job as parents to prepare them, so that it is easier for them to know right from wrong as they get older.


As I'm thinking this through, I'm understanding that issues that deal with ethics are different from simple mistakes. Kids are unskilled at...well, just about everything...until they master stuff through practice. As a parent, I must encourage them to try new things, and bite my tongue a bit while they make mistakes and let reality hand them the consequences, so that they can learn. Ethical issues are different. I can't simply sit back and allow my kids to do actual harm to others, if I can act to prevent it. Hence I intervene when the toddler grabs her sister's toy, when the child lies about whether she brushed her teeth, when one of them says something hurtful to the other. "We don't do that," I say. "I won't let you do that, and here's why." These issues get ever more complex as they grow, and so I'm taking the opportunity now to prepare myself for what I might do then. What will I do if I find out they have been dishonest? What about gossiping? Ditching an activity they've committed to when a better offer comes along? Cheating on a test? Telling their weekend babysitting employers that they're sick so they can go out with friends? It's all worth thinking about, now, don't you think?

2) What great weather we're having, eh? So much more of a summer than we had last year. I feel as though I want to get out there and soak up the sun and heat all I can, because we all know what it will be like in just four short months. My kids have been mostly at Stages day camp indoors this July (Alice in Wonderland performances this weekend!), but August will be blissfully free and spent as much outdoors as possible.

Even though it's not as hot here as in the rest of the northeast this summer, it's always wise to be aware of heat-related illnesses and conditions that can strike us and our kids, and know what to do about them. Do you know the signs of heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion, and what to do about them? Lifetime Health has provided a new article called "Beyond Burns: Sun and Heat Safety Advice" that teaches us to recognize these symptoms in ourselves and our kids. Read it, learn it, internalize it, so you know what to do just in case!

3) Speaking of heat, the giveaway page has been hot, hot, hot this week. If you're our Fan on Facebook, you heard about these new giveaways as they were released, but here is a quick summary what we've got:

Horizon Fun FX is giving away 200 skating certificates The folks running the Horizon Fun FX indoor recreation center in Greece found their special KOA promotion so successful earlier this summer that they're running it again! The first 200 people to email them will receive a skating certificate that they can use for up to 10 people to come to Horizon Fun FX for indoor roller skating...it includes both skating AND roller skate rental! The certificate is good through August 7. To win, be one of the first 200 people to email Heidi at Horizonfunfx@aol.com with the subject KOA Skating Giveaway #2. Make sure you include your mailing address so she can mail you the certificate. Go for it! Good luck!

Sailorbags, a company based in Victor, is giving away a nautical lunch bag. That drawing is tomorrow, so it's your last chance.

THREE drawings on Monday: Win four tickets to one of George Eastman House's Garden Vibes concerts in August, two tickets to Willy Wonka Jr. from RAPA, and a Family Four-Pack to Drum RoadTrip in Webster on August 7-8.

Drawing on Tuesday: Win a FREE spot in American Girl Camp at Ogden Rec Center. this camp is M-W-F the week of August 9. This camp sold out last year, so if you would like to guarantee your spot, sign up now. If you win, you will receive a refund.

Drawings later next week and beyond: I received several copies of StarFish's newest CD release, Enter Sandbox; Enter Sandbox is a terrific rock-and-roll-for-kids band that I reviewed the other week. (Their publicist not only sent me the CDs, but some organic gummy bear packages to give to my kids. How thoughtful! But it was AFTER the review, so don't think it swayed me!) So I'll be all ready to draw the first winner next Friday. Other great giveaways: Ruma's Fruit and Gift Basket World is going to let the winner choose between TWO yummy gourmet gift baskets. Sweet Song Photography is going to draw THREE winners of a maternity photo session and prints. And His-and-Hers Chocolatiers (whom I met during my weekly spot on WARM 101.3 last Friday morning) is giving away a fancy chocolate gift basket. I tried the chocolate merlot sauce--yummy!

4) Are you headed down toward Baltimore for a family getaway -- or on the way to a family getaway even further south? Make sure you check out a new family-friendly vacation review article from Laura Kammermeier: A Family-Friendly Walking Tour of Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

5) Kids in our community are doing great things! To raise awareness of homelessness in Rochester, the city of Rochester's Youth Voice, One Vision group has planned its second annual cardboard city for Friday, August 13 through Saturday, August 14. You, your family, your church, or your business can be involved, in small or large ways! Please read our guest article from one of the teen organizers, Ezekiel Devon Samuel, Cardboard City 2010 in Rochester, and find out what Rochester's young people are doing to raise both awareness and material support.

6) Speaking of kids in our community doing great things, an organization that celebrates these achievements all year round, Asset Parters (managed by the Rochester-Monroe County Youth Bureau with the contributions of volunteers from each town and district in Monroe County) is hosting their annual Asset Building Day at the Buffalo Bills Verizon Training Camp, on this coming TUESDAY AFTERNOON, August 3, from 2pm-6:30pm. It's the most family-friendly way to experience the Buffalo Bills! Bring your whole family, there are games to play, an asset-building photo to be part of, and practice to watch! It's all FREE. Click here for details.

7) Speaking some more about great causes, Lifetime Assistance is a local not-for-profit providing support for programs and services to area citizens with developmental disabilities and their families.  On Thursday, August 12, there will be a special benefit concert at CMAC in Canandaigua, featuring the one and only cello great Yo-Yo Ma and his group, the Silk Road Ensemble! I am so excited about this, because David and I are going... and those of you who have been attentive readers know that as of last week I'm a cellist again, so it's especially meaningful. The Silk Road Ensemble features internationally renowned performers and composers from more than 20 countries. Its music transcends customary classification. Their joy in performing together is contagious, igniting the mind and touching the heart. Tickets ($29-$79) for the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma in concert at the Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center on Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 7:30p.m.  Tickets can be purchased through  Ticketmaster at (800)745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com, and all Ticketmaster outlets.

8) Could your child use some extra help in reading? For all 15 years that I have lived in Rochester, I have heard about Dean Kindig's Summerreaders program that he runs in the Fairport/Penfield area. Not surprising, considering he's been at it since I was only 7! Dean employs some kind of magic technique has a set of reading games that tailors to each child. Summerreaders has two openings for kids for August, and Dean will be offering a 20% discount for KOA readers. Click that link to read more about his program and to see the details of the discount.

9) Would your organization like to be visible to over 40,000 readers each month? It's easy to get an organization account on KidsOutAndAbout.com, and here's my handy new video to show you how. Those who posted their events to our former site need only get an account and then "claim" their organization that is already listed, and those who have never posted events need to get an account and then create a new organization. The 5-minute video explains all.

10) It's HOT, and both Seabreeze and Roseland Water Park have special discount coupons posted on our Coupon page! Several of our coupons will be taken down at the end of this month, but they aren't expired for the businesses, so print them now! Coupons are also availalbe for Cascades Indoor Water Park, Wickham Farms, Long Acre Farms, some pottery painting places such as Bisque & Brush and Glaze & Glass, and more! If your organization would like to offer coupons through KOA, please contact our business manager, June Santini, at june@kidsoutandabout.com.

11) Besides the Baltimore article (described above), have you read our two newest vacation review articles? They are: A review of Enchanted Forest / Water Safari in Old Forge, NY and a review of the famous Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio.

12) Some stuff costs money, but often the best summer memories are completely free. You want to do stuff that's FREE, don't you? Just click on the Everything That's FREE button on the left-hand side of any KOA page and feast your eyes on stuff you won't pay for, but that are part of what make summertime in Rochester memorable for kids of all ages.

13) Here are some links to places that are great for getaways right here in Rochester:

Reviews of Water Parks and Amusement Parks List of BEACHES in our area
List of places and swim clubs with outdoor pools
List of Amusement Parks in central and western New York
It's Their Vacation and You're The Tour Guide: How to Organize Camp Mom

14) Congratulations to KOA readers Rebecca and Emily, the winners of the drawing from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. Those of you who participated in their recent survey were eligible to win annual memberships either to the Seneca Park Zoo, Strong National Museum of Play, or Rochester Museum & Science Center. Congratulations also to the three winners of a family four-pack of tickets on the Colonial Belle, whose Erie Canal Tours are legendary: Carolyn from Rochester, Linda from Fairport, and Judy from Spencerport.

15) Summertime is a great time for kids to get into the habit of running around, jumping, sliding, and generally raised activity level. But what happens when it's so hot outside that it's dangerous? You go INSIDE, because we have lots Indoor Play Centers.

16) Are you planning a birthday party for your child? Don't do so without consulting our extensive (and we do mean extensive!) list of birthday party venues and resources for our area.

17) If you just decided your child could benefit from going to camp this summer, there are still lots of openings. Check out our week-by-week guide to summer camps in greater Rochester. Here are especially the camps for next week (August 2-6).

18) I sometimes feel guilty choosing just five events per day, because there are literally dozens from which to choose. So, here is a handy set of links to day-by-day activities for the upcoming several days.

   Friday, July 30 (a few highlights: Alice in Wonderland at Stages, Creepy Crawly activities at the RMSC, Sal the Surly Cook's Storytellin' Fun at Sagawa Park, Annie at Eastview Mall.)

Saturday, July 31 (a few highlights: Saturday Story Time at Glaze and Glass, Howl's Moving Castle at the Little Theatre, Fabulous Wildlife Show at Stokoe Farms, Saturday on Stage - Free concert at Penfield Amphitheater)

   Sunday, August 1 (a few highlights: Sweet Corn Fest at Gro-Moore Farms, Farm Animal Visits at Wickham Farms, Waldorf School Initiative, Garage Sales at the Rochester Public Market)

Plan ahead! You can see upcoming events for any day...just click on the little calendar on the top of any KOA page.

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com