Splashing through summer
Summer 2025
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Splash, swim and soak up the sun all summer long at our outdoor swim centers!
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Hello, (585) families
When my kids were little, we were big Seabreeze fans. We’d arrive as soon as the gates opened, and then I would grab a reclining chair by the kiddie pool and “umbrella.” The kids would run in and out of the water coming over for snacks from the cooler or to beg for an ice cream cone. As they day wore on, I’d coax them out of the water to dry o . Then we’d hit the rides together. It wasn’t long before they grew out of the kiddie section of the park, and they’d run o with friends to hit the bigger slides and rides while I read a book in the shade. I fondly remember the sunset over the lake and the smell of sunscreen and hot dogs. These days my kids are twenty-one
Publisher Jane F. Milliman
Creative Director Cathy Monrad
Managing Editor Christine Green
Production Manager Caroline Kunze
Staff Photographer Tomas Flint
Contributing Writers Emily DiCesare, Terri Ercole, Audrey Mead, Sarah Mead, Cathy Monrad, Deena Viviani
Editorial Interns Lucy Crounse, Hannah Frazier
Vice President, Sales Caroline Kunze
Sales Kieley Tabone
and twenty-four, and I don’t think they’ve been back to Seabreeze in a few years. But when I joined model Annabelle (Thanks Mary Terese Friel Models!) and photographer Tomas Flint on this summer photoshoot, all the great memories came ooding back. Aren’t we so lucky to have a lovely family spot like Seabreeze in the (585)? While you’re prepping for back-to-school season, I hope you also take a moment to make memories with your little ones. You’ll truly treasure them forever.
—Christine Green, Managing Editor
FEEDBACK
We’d love to hear what you think! Write to jmilliman@585kids.com or letters to the editor, (585) Kids, 1501 East Avenue, STE201, Rochester, NY 14610.
DEADLINES FOR LISTINGS
Calendar listing deadlines for our upcoming issues are as follows:
For Fall 2025 issue: Aug. 10
For Winter 2026 issue: Nov. 10
For Spring 2026 issue: Feb. 10
For Summer 2026 issue: May 10
ADVERTISING
If you’d like to learn about advertising in an upcoming issue of (585) Kids or on our website, please call (585) 413-0040.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE PRINTED BY
Photos provided by
Christine Green
Emily DiCesare is an E.R. doc by trade, salad blogger by passion, who lives in Brighton with her family.
Terri Ercole is an elementary school teacher and volunteer with the Center for Youth in Rochester.
Audrey Mead is a curious ninth grader with a passion for reading. She loves performing in musicals and writing stories.
Sarah Mead is a writer who loves children’s books and dance parties in the kitchen. She lives with her family in Victor.
Cathy Monrad a.k.a. Cra y Cat is the creative director for (585) Kids
Anna Overmoyer a traditional and dimensional illustrator who grew up in the forest of Upstate New York. anna-overmoyer.square.site.
Jinelle Vaiana is a freelance writer, copy editor, and selfproclaimed “word nerd.” She’s been writing for local publications for more than ten years, and she’s also a nonpro t board member and talent acquisition professional. Reach her at jvaiana@585mag.com. Deena Viviani is the young adult services librarian at Brighton Memorial Library.
Monrad Our cover model, Annabelle, enjoys a treat at Seabreeze. Photo by Tomas Flint
Experience the Joy of Music-Making
How is your teen preparing for college testing?
Tips from a test prep pro
— BY DEENA VIVIANI —
Fall is on the horizon, which means if you have a high schooler interested in going to college, it’s time to think about entrance exams. But kids can tame their test-taking anxiety! Mike Bergin, founder of Rochester’s Chariot Learning and co-host of the Tests and the Rest podcast has got the SAT and ACT know-how, what, when, where, and why.
DV: Tell us about Chariot Learning.
MB: When I moved to Rochester from the Bronx in 2008, I was working as the Director of Exam Prep for a retail giant, creating their national SAT and ACT programs. But I wanted to see if there was a local market for real expert tutoring. Luckily, greater Rochester represents a community that values education, so Chariot Learning was successful from the beginning. We tutor students across the country for the SAT, PSAT, ACT, GRE, and some academic subjects. We are thrilled to run SAT/ACT Boot Camps in many local school districts and o er more intensive classes online. And here we are, sixteen years later, with a national reputation for excellence!
DV: What are the di erences between the PSAT, SAT, and ACT?
MB: The SAT and ACT both test substantially overlapping math, reading, and writing skills. All colleges accept both tests equally, and preparing for one very much prepares you for the other. Every college applicant should try both. That said, the two di er in some important ways.
The SAT score is 50% math, so students stronger in math up
to Algebra 2/Trigonometry with a knack for problem solving and strong reading comprehension will likely prefer this test. The massive transition to an all-digital SAT was completed for U.S. students in March 2024.
The ACT score is two-thirds reading and English, so faster readers who can manage large blocks of text and have broad knowledge tend to like this test. It is also in the middle of its most signi cant revision of its long history. The main changes students will see beginning in September 2025 is a shorter ACT with a bit more time per question. Students will be able to choose a paper or digital exam and whether or not to take the ACT Science section, as that part of the test is now optional (though the college you are applying to may require ACT Science, so the smart play is to take it just in case).
The PSAT is exactly the same timing and structure as the SAT, so taking that test provides an excellent insight into potential SAT performance. The PSAT has no bearing on college admissions, but the test taken in October of eleventh grade serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
DV: What are the best ways to prepare for these exams?
MB: Commit to deliberate practice—meaning intense e orts to push the boundaries of your ability—using o cial test material. Couple that with expert coaching that can provide the guidance necessary to build stronger skills, strategies, and test day con dence. Practice, then review, then practice again until you consistently earn your target scores.
Photo of Mike Bergin provided by Chariot Learning
Mike Bergin is a writer, gamer, and birder who loves to travel the world. When this husband and father of two is closer to home, he can be found creating a pollinator pathway to his yard in Brighton. Find more of his test prep tips here:
Chariot Learning: chariotlearning.com
Roots2Words: roots2words.com
TestBright: gettestbright.com
Tests and the Rest Substack: tatrweekly.substack.com
Tests and the Rest YouTube: youtube.com/@TestsAndTheRest
DV: In order of importance in your college application package, where do entrance exams fall?
MB: Even in an era of obvious grade in ation, grades still carry the most weight in admissions decisions, especially when a student shows academic rigor, curiosity, and consistency. The levels of importance attached to other elements of the application vary from school to school and by selectivity tier. Among schools that accept 20% or fewer of applicants, test scores are o en second in priority. The in uence of the college essay is an ongoing source of concern considering how prevalent the use of AI has become at every step of the writing process.
DV: Tell us about your podcast.
MB: Tests and the Rest is about college admissions, testing, education, and learning. It’s been an absolute pleasure to interview experts every week with my hilarious co-host Amy Seeley. We’ve been chasing down the most important stories, strategies, and insights for students, parents, and educators since 2019, and—more than 650 fast and fun episodes later—we’re still going strong. Plus, we’ve recently been ranked as a Top 10 College Admissions podcast.
DV: Any other related words of wisdom?
MB: Reading truly is fundamental. The earlier in life someone develops a habit of reading at least een minutes a day for fun, the smarter, wiser, and happier they are likely to become. If that’s not enough of a draw, they’ll also naturally be prepared to crush the verbal portions of important tests!
COME DANCE WITH US!
There’s still time to register for summerfrom tumbling to hip hop, themed camp weeks, and competitive classes. Fall enrollment is underway, too! Boys and girls, tots to teens - there’s something for everyone at Elite!
Find out more at elitestudioofdance.com
TEACHING AND INSPIRING DANCERS AROUND ROCHESTER SINCE 2009.
WHAT’SNEWATHILLEL?
A fulldayPre-K3class, inadditiontooursuccessful fulldayPre-K4class
Anewmusic&performingarts program,gearedforstudents ofallages(Pre-K3though8th)
Abilingualprogramthatteaches HebrewalongwithNYSELA standards
Tolearnmoreorbookatour:
www.hillelschool.org
585-271-6877
cfreedman@hillelschool.org facebook.com/hillelschool
The Gathering Place Building community to serve community
— BY TERRI ERCOLE —
At the Gathering Place you’ll find: Children as leaders, students striving to better their communities and each other, and empowered young people engaging others around them.
As much as Rochester is a thriving hub of volunteerism, many of the opportunities are geared toward adults. I wanted to nd a volunteer opportunity in the (585) that young people could participate in, take the lead, and really grow. When sharing my research with a friend, she immediately mentioned, “The Gathering Place! You have to check them out.” And so I did.
Founder Wendy Lesko was a program director for United Church of Christ where the Gathering Place now leases space for activities. During the COVID pandemic, church attendance and community service came to an almost standstill. Lesko and cofounder Wendi Latko recognized that this was a serious community problem. People still needed support especially during those times of isolation. In October 2023, they created the Gathering Place to reach people in need. Although the cofounders began in a church, they realized that religion could be a barrier to participation for some. Hence, the Gathering Place was formed as a nondenominational organization where all are welcome.
Lesko’s energy and enthusiasm for the mission of the Gathering Place is infectious. She and Latko help empower children and teens so they can transform the world around them with sel ess acts of giving. Giving at the Gathering Places means many things: third graders reading to younger ones on Saturday mornings,
kids creating and lling bags for youths in transition, students attending leadership camps that pave the way for more acts of service, and more. There are currently more than twenty- ve ongoing programs with more being created by students themselves.
Students initiating and acting on programs is key to this organization. “Giving them the fertile soil so they can become leaders” is a Gathering Place mantra. This core idea is a part of all aspects of the organization including a summer leadership course. When an eight-year-old asks leadership, “When can I be a project manager?” you know the organization is doing something right.
At the Gathering Place empowering youth means that they can create their own future. An example of this is the Friendship Workshop that meets on Tuesdays. Third, fourth, and h grade students lead a “Young Leaders, Little Readers” event on Saturday mornings. Yes, there are adults to be watchful, but the event is run by youth members. Sometimes a service project requires explaining hard situations to the young volunteers. For example, some of the people served by the Gathering place are unhoused children. Wendy notes that it can be di cult to explain to a child that another child might not have a home. But gentle explanations help them to see the importance of their work. Creating a bag of snacks, toiletries, and clothing is a concrete way to help the child understand a need. The level of understanding di ers with each child and situation, but it is motivation to continue service work.
The Gathering Place (you can nd it
on Facebook at Gathering Place Webster or gatheringplacewebster.org) is a nonreligious nonpro t sustained by donations. The free pet food pantry is only one of the organization’s pantries sustained by donations all year round. Check out the long list of opportunities for your child, grandchild, or any child in your life and begin fostering the love of helping others.
Yes, the Gathering Place has a lot of requests to help from scout troops, sports teams, and neighborhood groups, but there is always room for more! As sevenyear-old Hattie says, “I was excited to put things in bags that people need, because it will put a smile on their face. I feel super helpful because we give people stu they really need.”
Let us know how the Gathering Place changes you!
Reading is a picnic
IBY DEENA VIVIANI —
n 1952, the National Bakers’ Association declared that July was National Picnic Month. Celebrate by eating—and reading—al fresco! Not hungry yet? You will be a er checking out these books.
— KIDS —
All Food is Good Food
By Molli Jackson Ehlert & Fanny Liem
Feiwel and Friends, 2024
Why is it important to eat, and where does food come from? Short, simple text and illustrations answer these questions while empowering readers to make delicious choices.
Look and Cook Breakfast
By Valorie Fisher Astra, 2024
Berry bagels, egg bombs, and more breakfast foods are featured in this cook book whose instructions are completely image based.
— TWEENS —
Be My Yummy ABC
By Joyce Wan Hippo Park, 2025
Adorable, personi ed foods from burritos and tacos to apple pie and crepes teach readers the alphabet.
Fridays are for Churros
By Jenny Alvarado Holiday House, 2025
Emi and her Papi make churros every Friday, but a er Papi gets a new job, the tradition may be lost unless Emi takes charge.
The Gathering Table
By Antwan Eady & London Ladd Knopf, 2025
Southern food and family traditions are celebrated in this upli ing story told through a boy’s eyes.
The Lemonade War
By Jacqueline Davies & Karen de la Vega Clarion, 2025
This comic is an adaptation of the author’s 2007 novel about a brother and sister who compete to sell the most lemonade in the last ve days of summer vacation.
No Purchase Necessary
By Maria Marianayagam Harper, 2025
Ajay succumbs to peer pressure and steals a candy bar that unexpectedly could lead him down a path to riches—or big trouble.
Noodle & Bao
By Shaina Lu Quill Tree, 2024
Momo and her best friend Bao must save their ahma’s restaurant— and the entire neighborhood—from a rich business developer.
The Super Secret Mission to the Center of the Moon (Pie)
By Melissa de la Cruz Disney/Hyperion, 2025 A group of kids are sent on a mission to space, but a crash landing on the moon interrupts their orders ... or does it?
The Ultimate Science Cookbook for Kids Highlights, 2025 Build edible race cars, pretzel log bridges, marshmallow dinosaurs, and more, learning and munching at the same time.
— TEENS—
Chefs Wanted!
By Allegra McEvedy & Alice Bowsher
DK, 2024
Recipes in this cook book are for the more serious young chef, containing some long lists of yummy ingredients and seasonings for up to twelve steps of instructions.
Dragonfruit
By Makiia Lucier Clarion, 2024
Hanalei of Tamarind is exiled a er her father steals a seadragon egg, but when she is o ered a chance to return home, she and an old friend must work together to retrieve the dragonfruit.
Guava and Grudges
By Alexis Castellanos Bloomsbury, 2024
Ana Maria dreams of becoming a pastry chef, and her only hope to win a life-changing recipe competition is a member of her family’s rival bakery.
ARTICUL
Ages 3 to Adult
Competitive and Non-Competitive Classes
FUTURA - MEDIUM
Conveniently located just off 490 in East Rochester
O Menu
By Oliver Gerlach & Kelsi Jo Silva Soup must stand up to her evil restaurant boss and win a cooking competition to save the only home she’s known.
The O cial Stardew Valley Cookbook
By ConcernedApe & Ryan Novak
Random House, 2024
Fans of Stardew Valley will recognize the y recipes based on in-game meals in this mixed media cook book.
By Anna Overmoyer
Meet Gizmo the African Penguin at the Seneca Park Zoo
— BY SARAH MEAD —
Gizmo is one of twenty-seven African Penguins at the Seneca Park Zoo. His home at the zoo was built to resemble the rocky coastal beaches of South Africa as African penguins live in colonies there, on the southern and southwestern coast. In nature, he would be swimming in the salty ocean, but here at the zoo, he has freshwater pools. When this exhibit opened back in 1997, there were just seven penguins. Since then, the zoo has seen more than 100 penguins hatched, most of which are sent to other zoos and aquariums.
Zookeepers Brandon Belke and Jessica Sapienza explain that every penguin at the zoo has a name and a uniquely colored beaded band on its flipper indicating who it is. The ten male penguins wear the bracelets on their left flipper and
the seventeen females wear theirs on the right. But as soon as you start to spend time with these adorable flightless birds, you’ll notice they each have very different physical features and personalities.
Because of his big personality, ten-year-old Gizmo is the only penguin who does not have to wear a bracelet at all. He stands out in his rookery and is known as the friendliest penguin at Seneca Park Zoo. Sapienza says, “Every day when we come in, in the morning, he is the first to meet us at the gate.” Gizmo and his penguin friends get a wide variety of enrichment activities at the zoo. They love popping bubbles and playing with the diving rings and rubber ducks, even bringing the ducks into their nest boxes!
The African penguins are carnivorous and enjoy a steady
Photos by
diet of fish and crustaceans. They rely heavily on sardines and anchovies. They prefer water temperatures between forty and seventy degrees Fahrenheit and have up to seventy feathers per square inch. These feathers are stiff and overlap in layers, trapping air against their skin. This makes them windproof and waterproof. Fun fact: African penguins use their own excrement, called guano, to build nests under bushes and rocks.
Gizmo was born at Seneca Park Zoo on January 8, 2015, and has lived here his entire life. At three-years-old, Tonka is the youngest penguin at the zoo and the oldest is Libby, who just turned thirty-two! Belke loves watching all the penguins interact with each other. “They all have very unique personalities and relationships,” he says. “No two penguins are the same. At times this creates a lot of drama but nothing that isn’t quickly sorted out.”
Rochester seems like a good place for penguins in the winter, but have you ever wondered if they get too hot during the summer? Sapienza explains that most people don’t realize that many penguins do not live in cold weather. African penguins like Gizmo are used to the warm weather, which is why you will not see them outside here in Rochester during the cold winter months. And since all species
of penguins live south of the equator, they will never meet a polar bear in the wild.
In 2023, Gizmo’s species was classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as critically endangered. That means all African penguins in the wild face a critically high level of extinction within the next ten years. Belke explains that the biggest factors causing the species to struggle are related to human interactions such as habitat loss, overfishing, and climate change. Overfishing depletes their food sources, while climate change alters ocean currents and temperatures, further impacting their food availability and habitat. The loss of nesting grounds has also contributed to the species decline.
The public can do its part to help the penguins by supporting conservation organizations such as the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) where volunteers rehabilitate thousands of coastal birds every year that fall victim to oil spills or are orphaned due to lack of fish. People can also reduce how much plastic they use whenever possible and choose sustainable seafood options. The good news is that every time someone visits the Seneca Park Zoo they are already supporting SANCCOB as a portion of every ticket sale is donated to the zoo’s conservation partners.
When Gizmo isn’t pushing through the crowd to spend time with his favorite zookeepers, you can find him in the Rocky Coast Gallery doing a meet and greet with his many fans. He can’t wait for your next visit to the Seneca Park Zoo!
Audrey Asks...
A fashion designer
BY AUDREY MEAD WITH SARAH MEAD
“
If I’m going to be a quadbillionaire, I might as well start at eleven. ”
Audrey is searching for kids in the Rochester area who are doing big things.
Today she interviews eleven-year-old Ryan who has big dreams and an eye for fashion. He is in fifth grade at Churchville-Chili Middle School. He loves sushi, musicals, Disney shows, and Katy Perry. He lives with his mom, dad, and mini goldendoodle, Herman.
How long have you been interested in fashion?
As long as I can remember! When I was three years old, I asked my mom if I could wear a pair of her shoes, and it bloomed from there. I used to dress up, wear heels, and pretend to perform or walk on the runway. I loved barbies because of their shoes, and I would modify their shoes to make them my own.
How did you get started in designing your own stuff ?
I got interested because of my Meme—she has great expression with colors and patterns, and she taught me how to sew. My first project was turning cork wedges into heels. I also made a fur coat designed to hold my Nerf guns!
Who are your favorite brands or designers?
Some of my favorites when it comes to shoes are Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Salvatore Ferragamo, Katy Perry Collections, and Sophia Webster. I really appreciate classic sophisticated clothing. Some of my favorite brands are Chanel, Dior, Prada, Alexander McQueen, and Christian Siriano.
What are some of your favorites that you designed?
I designed the bellbottoms I’m wearing now and wedges with a block heel. I modify a lot of clothes from Goodwill, and they look brand new. My first collection was called “The Beginning” with five looks using denim and fur. I sent sketches of my full shoe collection to Katy Perry Collections, and they loved them!
How did you end up meeting Katy Perry?
It was a surprise from my parents. We went to the VIP room at her show in Las Vegas, and I met her. She noticed my red feather KPC boots and style. I almost passed out! I was about to faint, but I asked if I could design for her, and she said yes!
What happened at the show?
I went on stage and went viral on Instagram and TikTok. There was a crowd of five-thousand people cheering for me! People kept coming up to me after the show, asking for pictures. I’ve been in contact with her team, and Katy Perry Collections donated shoes for my first runway show.
by Greg Hollar
Photo
Ryan
How does it feel to walk the runway?
It feels exciting! I feel like I can be myself, and it brings out my personality. When you’re different there’s a lot of hate, but there’s more love than hate, so I learned to be myself.
I heard you were recently involved in ROC Fashion Week; can you tell me about that?
It was very stressful. I’m not normally nervous on the runway, but this was my first collection. There was a lot of pressure to get things done, and I had to do a ton of work in a span of around three months.
What are you working on now?
I’m making concepts and mood boards for the fall collection for Fashion Week Rochester. I’m working on acting. I have a manager and agent and am doing lots of auditions. I’m in acting and sewing classes. I’m going to Christian Siriano Bootcamp in NYC and Young Actors Theatre Camp in Santa Cruz, California.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I want to go to FIT [Fashion Institute of Technology, in NYC] or Cordwainers [London College of fashion] for fashion. I’m trying to change things because most kids just wear sweatpants and crocs. I love to dress up every day, and I want to change the kids fashion industry. I want to walk red carpets, design looks for celebrities and start my own brand.
What is your design philosophy?
I often design around the shoes. Shoes are where the story starts. I think fashion is a way to express yourself and tell the world who you are without saying a word. I don’t design to fit in, I’m classic with a twist. Wearing something you love can change your whole day. That’s why I design.
You can follow Ryan on Instagram and TikTok at @UnconditionallyRyan
A NOTE FROM CRAFTY CAT
Happy summer, crafty kids! This nifty leaf dish will remind you of summer all year long—even when the snow returns. You can use it as a trinket dish to hold your special treasures.
As always, please remember to ask an adult for permission before starting any craft or art project.
Clay leaf dish
GATHER THESE ITEMS:
Piece of wax paper Plastic knife or clay
Air dry clay sculpting tool Rolling pin Small bowl 1/4 inch wood dowels Paint brush Large leaf Clay sealant
STEP 1: Place dowels about 5 inches apart on wax paper.
STEP 2: Roll clay flat with rolling pin.
STEP 3: Set dowels aside. Lay leaf right-side up on clay. Gently roll the leaf into clay just to enough to make an imprint of the veins.
STEP 4: Use knife or sculpting tool to cut away excess clay, then use fingers to smooth out the cut edges.
STEP 5: Place clay leaf inside the bowl, gently pressing until the clay forms the shape of bowl.
STEP 6: Remove the leaf by gently pulling on stem. Allow clay to fully dry according to product directions.
Optional step: Paint the leaf bowl before sealing. See air dry clay product instructions for best type of paint and drying times.
STEP 7: After fully dry, use paintbrush to add sealant of choice to project.
Outdoor fun at RMSC! Wild Walks at the Cumming Nature Center
— BY SARAH MEAD —
Hey kids! Have you ever wanted to explore the wonders of nature with a local expert? Now’s your chance! Nestled in the town of Naples, in the heart of the Finger Lakes, is the Cumming Nature Center. Bring your parents and friends for a great time among the red pines and sugar maples.
The Forest School at Cummings Nature Center offers a space for you and your friends to build a relationship with nature. Many kids join the year-round program, attending a full day once a week. There are also summer programs for kids who want to make nature their classroom during the warmer months.
For the past few years, the trained educators at the Forest School have been leading a program called Weekend Wild Walks. The spring series included pond and stream exploration as well as a full moon hike and a stinky skunk cabbage walk.
“Each Wild Walk is themed based on the instructor’s experience and passion and also based on the seasonal changes in our woods,” says Abby Mertz, events coordinator for the Cumming Nature Center. “These are a fun way to get outside and explore, while learning about a specific topic. And an easier way for people to go out on a hike, who otherwise might be nervous to do so without an instructor or guide.”
Woodland Wildflowers is one of the fun walks for all ages each spring. Walkers can search for spring ephemerals* and learn more about the rare spreading globeflower (Trollius laxus) and other seasonal and local blooms.
Want to take your family on a longer hike? The Longest Day, Longest Trail walk is a slow-paced hike on the Wilderness
Trail, the longest trail at the nature center. Taking place on the longest day of the year called the summer solstice*, this walk is more than five miles long with built-in snack and lunch breaks and several hours of exploration.
Lann Dolen is the public and school programs coordinator for the Cumming Nature Center. “Wild Walks are a lot of fun!” Dolen says. “We walk at the pace the group needs, stopping to observe nature. It is a chance for guests to explore a part of the nature center that they may not have noticed on their own, and an economical way to experience a guided hike with a naturalist. I love meeting the people, both children and adults, who come on the walks!”
The number of people on a walk is capped at about twenty people per walk to keep the groups manageable on the trail. This ensures all participants feel connected to the group and are actively participating.
When you visit the Nature Center for a Wild Walk, you can stay all day to explore the indoor exhibits, a Discovery Zone, indoor and outdoor play areas for kids, and, of course, the twelve miles of gorgeous trails.
VOCABULARY WORDS
Spring ephemerals: woodland wildflowers that go dormant in the summer
Summer solstice: longest day of the year, usually around June 21
PARENTS—KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
What your children will learn on a Weekend Wild Walk: - self-reliance - resiliency - outdoor skills
• The knowledgeable staff tailors each walk to the interest level of everyone who registers for the event, accommodating all abilities so the entire group is having fun and learning. These walks are often adjusted for families with young children or slower-paced walkers.
• Most Wild Walks last from sixty to ninety minutes, depending on the participants and the weather.
• Open to all ages, these guided walks occur twice a month on select Saturdays and Sundays and are each based on a different topic or theme.
• These themed walks are priced at $7 per person and that includes full admission to the nature center for the entire day. If you are already an RMSC or Pines Pass member, the walks are just $4.
Learn more and reserve your spot at: rmsc.org/cummingnaturecenter
FIND SUMMER FUN!
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THURSDAYS JULY 3–AUG. 7
Except
ONGOING
TUESDAYS–FRIDAYS SCIENCE TOGETHER
Ithaca’s Sciencenter hosts its Science Together programs, which explore di erent science processes for children up to four years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and paid admission to the museum is required. The Sciencenter includes 250 interactive exhibits and includes seasonal outdoor science parks, mini-golf, and opportunities to meet animals.
10:30 a.m.
Sciencenter
601 First St., Ithaca (607) 272-0600
sciencenter.org
THURSDAYS JULY 3–AUG. 7
THE BROCCOLO BUG CLUB AT THE B-FRIENDLY FARM
This series of events are an interactive way for school-aged kids to engage and explore in nature play. Children will catch and release bugs safely. Topics include bug anatomy, life cycles, and more. This is for ages between 7 and 12; younger kids must be accompanied by an adult. $15 a session—$12 for siblings.
10:30 a.m.–noon
B-Friendly Farm & Gardens at Broccolo 2755 Pen eld Rd., Fairport broccololawnandlandscape.com
THURSDAYS JULY 3–AUG. 21 LAKE AND LAND TOUR TO TAUGHANNOCK FALLS
This four-hour cruise departs from the Treman Marina and heads to Taughannock Falls State Park and back. Once guests arrive at the park, they can enjoy a twomile guided hike, rent a paddleboard or kayak, or enjoy the park at their own pace
and leisure. Knowledgeable narrators aboard the cruise will provide a history of the lake and some hands-on activities for kids and adults.
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Allan H. Treman State Marine Park 1000 Allan H. Treman Park Rd., Ithaca (607) 327-5253 discovercayugalake.org
MONDAY NIGHTS IN JULY & AUG. MONDAY MOVIE MANIA
Free outdoor movies begin at dark or at 8:30 p.m. (whichever happens sooner) on Monday nights this summer in Auburn’s city parks. Guests can bring chairs, blankets, and snacks. Wicked will play on July 28 at Lincoln Park, and A Minecra Movie will play on August 11 at Booker T. Washington Community Center, to name just a couple. Visit website below for more dates.
8:30 p.m.
Auburn
auburnny.gov
JULY 5 & 26; AUG. 2, 16 & 30; SEPT. 20 & 27
RIVERIE KIDS CRUISES
The Riverie Kids Cruises allow kids in kindergarten through sixth grade the opportunity to learn more about the Erie Canal and Genesee River by exploring them in person. Each month features a di erent theme, with relevant activities: July’s theme is pirates, August’s theme is the canal’s birthday, and September is I-Spy. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.
Corn Hill Navigation Waterfront Center/ Riverie Cruises, 280 Exchange Blvd. 662-5748
cornhillnav.org/riverie
JULY 8–AUG. 19
MIXED MEDIA ART FOR KIDS
In this art class for kids, children will be supported as they explore and create art, and they will be encouraged to make creative decisions. Kids will use a variety of mediums to create their masterpieces, including oil pastels, watercolors, colored pencils, and more. This class is open to children four and older. Parents can sign kids up for one class or for a total of seven weeks. 4:15–5:15 p.m.
The Art of Mandy 52 Main St., LeRoy 356-2533 theartofmandy.com
JULY 24, 25, 27, 31; AUG. 1 & 3
CIRCUS CULTURE SUMMER TOUR 2025
Ithaca’s circus school, Circus Culture, will perform free one-hour community circus shows in downtown Ithaca this summer. The troupe will perform on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Press Bay Alley Backlot, on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. on the Commons next to the fountain in Bank Alley, and on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. at Thompson Park on Cayuga Street. Ithaca; cityo thaca.org
JULY 7–11 & 14–18
AVENTURA BILINGÜE: SPANISH SUMMER CAMP
Nazareth’s Casa Hispana o ers a two-week Spanish immersion camp for kids four to ten years old (split into two di erent groups). Campers will absorb the Spanish language while involved in activities like games, cra s, music, dance, cooking, and more. All teachers are native Spanish speakers.
Casa Hispana 4245 East Ave. 389-2525; naz.edu/casa-hispana
Chili Recreation’s Fall Fun Day
Ice Cream Train Rides
The Broccolo Bug Club at the B-Friendly Farm
JULY 12–13
CORN HILL ARTS FESTIVAL
Hundreds of artists from around the country, as well as talented musicians and food vendors, will gather throughout nine streets in Rochester this July for the Corn Hill Arts Festival. Family-friendly activities will include a fairy house showcase, bounce houses, a chalk artist, Rosco the Clown and his balloon creations, ROC City Circus performances, and Lego creations on display by The Rochester Lego User Group
133 S. Fitzhugh St. 262-3142 cornhillartsfestival.com
JULY 14–16
COMMUNITY SERVICE KIDS SUMMER CAMP
The Gathering Place, a nonpro t organization, is o ering a Community Service Kids Summer Camp for kids who will be in kindergarten through fourth grade this fall. Hands-on projects will allow kids to give back to their community, earn service hours, learn new skills, and more.
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
The Gathering Place 570 Klem Rd., Webster 667-0411
gatheringplacewebster.org
JULY 16
CREATIVE CRITTERS ROCK PAINTING
B-Friendly Farm and Gardens introduces the Creative Critters Rock program with themes such as lady bugs, snakes, or in the natural world. Cost is $15 per child.
10:30 a.m.–noon
B-Friendly Farm & Gardens at Broccolo 2755 Pen eld Rd., Fairport broccololawnandlandscape.com
JULY 18 & AUG. 29
MOVIES WITH A DOWNTOWN VIEW
Fan-voted lms will be shown on an 18-foot-wide, 10-foot-high LED video wall this summer at Parcel 5 for Movies With a Downtown View. ASL interpreters will be present for Wicked in July and The Greatest Showman in August, and both lms will be shown with closed captions. Four food trucks will be onsite.
7–10 p.m.
Parcel 5
285 E. Main St. rochesterdowntown.com
JULY 27
PARENTING VILLAGE’S FAMILY FEST
This year, y local family-related businesses and services will participate in Family Fest at Rothfuss Park. The free festival will also feature bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, a silent auction, and more.
2-6 p.m.
Rothfuss Park
1648 Five Mile Line Rd., Pen eld 270-1832
parentingvillage.org
JULY 31–AUG. 2
THE PUERTO RICAN FESTIVAL
This year marks the y- h anniversary of Rochester’s Puerto Rican Festival, an event that features live musical performances from local and international artists, in genres including salsa, merengue, and reggaeton. The festival will also feature cultural performances, dance, and authentic food. Hands-on workshops will be available for kids, exploring the history, music, and dances of Puerto Rico.
Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St 820-6484 pr-festival.com
AUG. 4–8
WRITING CAMP: BUILDING FANTASTICAL WORLDS
This creative writing workshop, for kids eight to eleven, will focus on building fantastical worlds, like those found in the Harry Potter series or in Chronicles of Narnia. Kids will explore and cra alternate realities, then share their work on the nal day with family and friends.
Writers & Books
740 University Ave. 473-2590 wab.org
AUG. 6
ICE CREAM TRAIN RIDES
Rochester Train Rides o ers mile-anda-half vintage train rides through their museum grounds, and on August 6, all ticketed museum visitors will receive an ice cream from Ice Cream Factory of Fairport. Museum exhibits are available to view at both ends of the train ride, where visitors can view the state’s largest collection of historic trains. Children four and under ride free.
Rochester Train Rides
282 Rush Scottsville Rd., Rush 533-1431 rochestertrainrides.com
AUG. 9
VICTOR MUSIC & FOOD FESTIVAL
Visitors to the Victor Music & Food Festival can expect multiple bands on multiple stages, food trucks and food and drink vendors, and reworks at the end of the night. Hot tip: bring a camp chair to this free event, but don’t BYOB.
4-10 p.m.
Mead Square Park 39 West Main St., Victor 698-9643 victormusicfoodfestival.com
CARIFEST PARADE AND FESTIVAL
Rochester’s Carifest kicks o with a colorful costume parade starting at 11 a.m. at West Main Street and Plymouth Avenue in Rochester and ending at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park. Caribbean music, food, visual and performing arts will be celebrated. A free Kids’ Village will provide education on the culture and free bookbags with school supplies for children. Tickets will bene t annual scholarships for college-bound students of Caribbean descent.
1-9 p.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park 353 Court St. 234-0909 rwifo.org/carifest
AUG. 13
STICK-BUGS AND LEAF SHAPED INSECTS
B-Friendly Farm and Gardens gets creative making Stick-bugs and Leaf shaped insects. Family fun for adults bringing children. Cost is$15 per child.
10:30 a.m.–noon
B-Friendly Farm & Gardens at Broccolo 2755 Pen eld Rd., Fairport broccololawnandlandscape.com
SEPT. 6–7
M&T BANK CLOTHESLINE ART FESTIVAL
Festivalgoers can expect more than 300 artists at Memorial Art Gallery’s largest annual fundraiser, the M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival. There will also be live entertainment, food trucks and
vendors, and family art activities at this two-day event.
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave. 276-8900
mag.rochester.edu
SEPT. 20
GENESEO CAT TOUR
The Geneseo Cat Tour is a walking tour starting and ending at the Livingston County Historical Society Museum. The walking route through the village will highlight feline friends at their homes— on view either from their window, outside in their yards, or in their owner’s arms. There will also be live music, games, cat adoptions, and a food truck onsite to participate in before and a er the walk. Proceeds from this event bene t Hearthside Cats, a non-pro t, no-kill cat shelter in Geneseo.
3–4 p.m.
Livingston County Historical Society Museum, 30 Center St., Geneseo villagecattour.wixsite.com/geneseocattour
SEPT. 20–21
PURPLE PAINTED LADY FESTIVAL
The thirteenth annual Purple Painted Lady Festival will feature 350 artists, ve bands, and thirty food and beverage trucks. Proceeds will bene t Embrace Your Sisters, a non-pro t organization dedicated to assisting people with breast cancer. Rochester General Hospital’s Mobile Mammography Unit will be parked at The Purple Painted Lady retail store at 2620 State Route 31, and appointments are requested, but not required.
Fig Hollow Barn
80 Yellow Mills Rd., Palmyra 750-6056
thepurplepaintedladyfestival.com
SEPT. 27
MVP HEALTH CARE’S FALL FEST
This free family-friendly celebration of fall will feature cra s, games, pumpkin decorating, giant in atables, and several food and beverage trucks. The City of Rochester’s Little Kids and Big Rigs program will also be onsite, providing kids with
an opportunity to explore construction equipment, re trucks, and more. 11 a.m.–2p.m.
Parcel 5, 285. E. Main St. 546-6920
rochesterdowntown.com/fall-fest
SEPT. 27
CHILI RECREATION’S FALL FUN DAY
Fall Fun Day in Davis Park in Chili is a free event celebrating local farmers, with a local market, live music, food vendors, wagon rides, in atables, and pony rides. Meet your local farmers, who will be selling their goods and may even bring a few animals along.
11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Davis Park, 541 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 889-4680
ny-chili.civicplus.com
Have an event of your own to publicize?
You can add it to our online calendar at 585mag.com. You may also email details to cgreen@585mag.com
A NEW, INCLUSIVE PLACE TO PLAY
As a special education teacher and administrator for more than twenty years, Kristen Bonn was o en uncomfortable with the lack of opportunities for kids to play, especially children with disabilities.
“Play isn’t just fun; it’s how we learn, grow, and connect,” says Bonn. “It’s a universal language everyone should speak.”
A er spending decades in education, Bonn decided it was time to pivot; but she still wanted to make an impact on the well-being of families. This April, she opened Play Palace, an indoor playground in Town Centre Plaza in Henrietta.
The facility is sensory-friendly and accessible to kids of all abilities. It features a large play structure, themed play areas, swings, sensory rooms, an event space for parties, and more.
To create a truly inclusive space, Bonn installed fully dimmable LED lights throughout the building, and the sensory rooms and event space have been sound-dampened. Sound-dampening headphones are also available, and communication cards and a picture menu hang near the concession stand for visitors who have di culties with verbal communication.
Sta undergo training to foster an inclusive environment, which includes education around sensory sensitivities, methods of communication, and mobility considerations, says Bonn.
Since opening Play Palace, she adds, “We’ve seen so many instances of children and adults of varying abilities interacting
and playing together seamlessly. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our mission of inclusivity truly come to life and to witness the genuine connections being made. That sense of belonging we aimed for is really shining through, even more than I had anticipated.” rocplaypalace.com
FOCUSING ON STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH
Rochester City School District board commissioner Isaiah Santiago, the youngest-ever RCSD board member, has proposed an ad hoc mental health committee to review how the district is handling student mental health.
The board approved Santiago’s proposal, and a volunteer-based committee is expected to convene for the rst time in September. The committee will consist of students, parents, teachers, school administrators, board members, and community representatives.
Santiago’s proposal lists six key areas of concern for the committee to address, including mental health training for school sta , reducing stigma around mental health issues, and crisis response, to name a few. The committee will analyze current district policies, data, and programs in place, looking for opportunities for improvement.
GET AIR TRAMPOLINE PARK
Earlier this spring, Get Air Trampoline Park, an international franchise, opened a new location in the Lowe’s Plaza in Greece.
The indoor trampoline park o ers dodgeball, foam pits, a ninja obstacle course, wall-to-wall trampolines, and more. A separate jumping area for children under forty-six inches tall is available, and
young children also have access to foam pits and more. Facility rentals are available for birthday parties, corporate events, and other special events.
Get Air has summer camps scheduled for this year, and periodic sensory-friendly sessions (called A Special Time for You) are available for guests who prefer a quieter, calmer environment.
The park encourages visitors to complete a jump waiver online before arriving. Children under ten years old require a parent present while they enjoy the park. getairsports.com/rochester
ISLAND VIBES
The largest Caribbean festival in Western New York, Carifest, will take place in Rochester on August 9.
The thirty-ninth annual festival, hosted by the Rochester West Indian Festival Organization (RWIFO), will kick o with a colorful costume parade starting at West Main Street and Plymouth Avenue. The parade will end at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park, where the festival will take place.
Local and international musical talent will perform sounds from the region, including reggae, calypso, dancehall, Afrobeats, and more. Festivalgoers can indulge in authentic Caribbean food and beverages, and experience visual and performing arts at the event.
A free Kids’ Village will provide education on the culture, and children will have an opportunity to participate in arts and cra s activities there. Free bookbags, packed with back-to-school supplies, will be provided to kids.
Proceeds from ticket sales will bene t RWIFO’s annual college scholarship fund for students of Caribbean descent. rwifo.com/carifest
BY EMILY DICESARE
Ahhh summer … Picnics, graduation parties, weddings, backyard gatherings with neighbors. Children at home. ALL. DAY .LONG.
I am certain that my children don’t eat constantly at school, but in the summer, it seems that someone is always in the kitchen looking for food. Now that my children are teenagers, they are able to make themselves food. This is nice but has some drawbacks as well.
They are also able to help themselves to food from the pantry, the freezer, and only as a last resort, the fruit and veggie drawers of the refrigerator.
I go through periods where I don’t buy any “snacks” to keep them out of the house. However, packing lunches for school, camp, and days out is easier with some prepackaged snacks. If there aren’t any snacks, then the complaints increase and no one eats the veggies I have cut up and prepared.
I know—if they are hungry they will eat. But they will also tell me six times a day that there is “nothing to eat” in our house.
So what to do for summer?
We can meal prep, cut up veggies, and portion fruits and snacks. There must be a balance between prepping food that gets eaten and prepping food that gets wasted. I also can’t just dial it in and leave a freezer full of frozen chicken nuggets and a pantry full of EZ mac and cheese. These are things my teens eat occasionally. Not every day, or even every week.
Variety does not matter to most kids. They can eat a PB&J sandwich every day.
How to mix it up?
- Change the jam
- Slice bananas or strawberries into the sandwich.
- Sub Nutella for the jam or for the peanut butter.
- Add a handful of crushed potato chips.
Protein shakes and milks can be a good addition for busy kids on the go. However, be aware of added sugars and preservatives.
Aim to make a healthy dinner as many nights per week as your schedule allows. And don’t stress about takeout or meals on-thego when there are games, practices, or other activities the other nights. It happens.
Remember, kids can make pasta and mac and cheese during the day, so I aim to serve di erent grains at night. It is easy to make a big batch of farro or barley at the beginning of the week and keep it in the fridge for a few days. Then toss some in salads, mix with white rice, or use as the base for a grain bowl (maybe even topped with chicken nuggets).
My nal tip is to cut up veggies and/or fruit and leave it on the counter. I o en do this and by mid-morning, or late a ernoon. It always disappears.
Only two months until school starts again.
