Kids Can Spend Summer Mornings at Open Gardens at All Elementary Schools with Hudson Valley Seed

Part of what has changed Beacon for the better and forever are the agricultural initiatives that spread into different interest groups from all age groups. We have highlighted the children's gardening program before from Hudson Valley Seed, and there is a new program everyone must know about for the summer: every weekday morning from 9:30am - 11am, Hudson Valley Seed staff and volunteers are hosting open gardens, and all are welcome to join in planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, reading, and crafting. These programs run from June 27- August 19, 2016.

The open gardens will rotate between each elementary school in Beacon and one in Garrison.

Support for this article comes from our sponsor Savage Health.

Gardening tasks and kids’ activities are offered in one of the school gardens managed by Hudson Valley Seed. Participants will read books, harvest produce, and take home fresh-picked veggies and herbs!

Open Garden Times and Locations:

Mondays 9:30-11am at Glenham Elementary School, 20 Chase Drive, Fishkill
Tuesdays 9:30-11am at J.V. Forrestal Elementary School, 125 Liberty Street, Beacon
Wednesdays 9:30-11am at The Garrison Union Free School, 1100 NY-9D, Garrison
Wednesdays 3:30-5:00pm ‘Stories-n-Snacks’ in the shade of a beautiful tree beside the South Avenue school garden. All ages are invited to come hear a garden-related story book while snacking on fresh veggies from the garden. 
Thursdays 9:30-11am at South Avenue Elementary School, 60 South Avenue, Beacon
Fridays 9:30-11am at Sargent Elementary School, 29 Education Drive, Beacon

Open garden times also run in Newburgh at Horizons on Hudson Elementary School, Temple Hill Academy, the Newburgh Boys and Girls Club and the Newburgh Armory Unity Center. Visit www.hudsonvalleyseed.org for those times and locations.

If you are doing Summer Camps (see our guide for great camp ideas in the area), and you are not going weekly but are selecting days, Hudson Valley Seed's program is a great supplement! Participation in this program is free, but donations area always accepted online.

Big Update to the Summer Day Camp Guide - Time To Schedule Up!

Summer is happening, and as always, the schedule calls for flexibility if you want to take advantage of everything: Summer Camp opportunities in the Hudson Valley abound, for kids to vacation with friends or meet new ones at an awesome week of camp. Some even have a special focus, including kayaking, or writing at the Vanderbilt mansion with SUNY's program for young writers. Even local teachers and business owners are percolating with new ideas and creating programs that will appeal to families in the area.

Therefore, after a flurry of submissions over the past few weeks since we launched the Summer Camp Guide, we are issuing an update with more options you might want to consider in your grand planning! Because if you're like most parents, you haven't committed 100% to all of your camp intentions. Some programs have filled up, some have expanded, and some are totally new.

Highlights you'll find in this update include more short-term morning options, great for those who are not committing to full days of camp, but want their children stimulated during the day. Also great for grandparents who are in charge of kids for a week, and are looking for something to do.

Morning events are especially prevalent at the new location of Compass Arts with a variety of teachers in music, Spanish, building, and more. Compass Arts is in the middle of town near the Yankee Clipper Diner, nestled in with music destinations like Beacon Soundworks, a new recording studio on Main Street, Lord of the Strings, a repair shop for string instruments, and Main Street Music, a guitar store (and more) and a source of lessons.

Cooking camp is also in the mix now, in the lovely back outside courtyard of Beacon Pantry. Another short-day option for kids learning to cook and at minimum, learn to make their own snacks! But possibly also the family dinner.

Budding writers of different ages have a plethora of weekly options from the Hudson Valley Writing Project. Classes have been designed around different destinations for different weeks, like a week at Storm King Art Center (sold out already but there is a waiting list) to inspire the mind, and a week for “Courageous Writers” in Hyde Park to “explore the power of history” as kids visit FDR’s Presidential Library, his family home, Eleanor Roosevelt’s Val-kill, and the Vanderbilt estate.

Musical theater enthusiasts can take a summer intensive at Ballet Arts Studio on Teller Avenue for a mixture of dance training and workshopping of a performance piece.

We have a new recommendation for gymnastics camp, and that is at Dutchess Country Gymnastics Center in Fishkill, who has a different theme for every week, including "Disney Week" and "The Games in Rio."

If there are waiting lists for any option, do get on them! You never know who will pull out at the last minute.

This update was made possible by:

Eva Deitch Photography KIDS

View her photos also at Instagram: @edp_kids   

Eva is booking kids and family photo sessions now for summer.
Get creative and have Eva and her camera come to your favorite park or summer destination, or in your home or backyard!

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides 5-15-16

Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead this Spring.  As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

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• Niche Factory Sale: Set for Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, offering amazing discounts - 50% to 80% off!

This date and more are in the Events Guide, organized by month. Take a look to get a big-picture view of your month ahead!

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• Reset & Renew Your Mindset with Kate Rabe: Learn to get more profit for your business at this half-day workshop held at the Holiday Inn Express in Fishkill on June 13th. 

Find direct links to this item and more in our Adult Classes Guide.

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• Compass Arts: New class dates added for June, including Mommy & Me classes
• Parent & Child Portrait Class with Maria Amor: New Art & Craft location added, Atelier Room 205 at the old Beacon High School. Classes begin in June for 3rd grade through 5th grade.

Find direct links to each of these items in our Kids Classes Guide.

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• ReMade: Added to our Shopping Guide. Located next to Clay Wood & Cotton at 133 Main St., Beacon, NY. 

Visit our Shopping Guide for a full listing of retail options that line Main Street and nearby.

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• The Vault: Visit our latest Restaurant Guide Sponsor, at 446 Main Street. 

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

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• The Blushery: Our newest Beauty Guide sponsor. They are giving away 20 percent-off discount cards to be used toward your next spa service. Does it get better? Yes! Enter their contest to win a free spray tan! They're giving one away to someone who checks in at The Blushery with a picture on Instagram by tagging #theblushery #BlusheryBirthday.
• Twins Barber Shop is our latest addition to the Beauty Guide. Check them out at 349 Main Street.

Find more ways to pamper yourself in our full Beauty Guide. 

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Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides 5-8-16

Happy Mother's Day! Have you read our Mother's Day 2016 Guide yet? Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead this Spring. As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

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• Burger & Beer Bash: Held this year at Dutchess Stadium on Thursday, August 11th. Tickets on sale now!
• City-Wide Yard Sale: Taking place Saturday, June 11th, throughout Beacon
• Bija Beacon Homestead BBQ & Art Opening: A free event featuring art from R.A. McBride
• Howland Public Library Awards Ceremony: A benefit for the Howland Public Library Savoit Fund
• Howland Cultural Center Monthly Events: Including Open Mic Night, Bridge Club, Community Chorus, May Art Exhibit and more.

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by month. Take a look for a big-picture view of your month ahead!

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• Meditation Category: We've added a new category and this class at Howland Cultural Center on Thursdays, May 12-26, 2016. 
• All Sport Health & Fitness classes added for May 2016

Find direct links to each of of these items in our Adult Classes Guide.

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• Babysitting Training Course: Added from Fishkill Recreation Center, held May 21, 2016
• Imagination's Playground Block Party: Added from Beacon Recreation Center, every Monday 10-11 am
• Beacon Craft Workshop: "Clay Feast" class dates for May and June

Find direct links to each of these items in our Kids Classes Guide.

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• Compass Arts: More Summer workshops added, with August 2016 dates. 

Visit our Summer Camp Guide for more options available in the area.

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• Barb's Butchery: Prepare your next slow-cooked meal or sausage breakfast for the week ahead, and save 20%! Visit Barb’s Butchery's Frozen Foods ‘fridge, where all frozen rib-eye and sausage are 20% off.
• Did you know we have a Best Brunches Guide? Yes, we do! Harry's Hot Sandwiches is the latest addition, and Kitchen Sink is now open for brunch. 

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

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• River Therapeutic Massage is offering 10% off Mini Spa Sessions (foot scrub, neck/shoulder, hand/foot). When you buy six sessions, you get two free gift certificates while supplies last. 
• Campbell & Campbell Hair Salon is our latest addition to the Beauty Guide. 

Find more ways to pamper yourself in our full Beauty Guide. 

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Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Summer Day Camp Options for 2016 for Beacon Families in the Hudson Valley

 

It's here! A Little Beacon Blog's Summer Day Camp Guide! The choices are amazing, and the decisions are not easy. You will need to get out a few calendars for this - your calendar, the grandparent's calendar or anyone who is helping to shepherd the kids around during different weeks of camp locations and times. Our guide is organized by Age, Times, Dates, Prices, Early/Late Options, and everything you need in one place to see what you want to do.

Maybe your phone has already been blowing up with texts from friends: "What weeks are you doing????" Camp with friends can make things easier, yet making new friends does eventually happen, despite that first day of "Who will play with me?" terror.

So, start your calendars, because we've got LEGO Star Wars, Farm Camps (two different ones!), Art Camps, Fashion Camp, High Activity Camp, Field Trip Camps, Gymnastics Camp, Film Camp, and Theater Camp. This Guide is updated every year. Like all of our Guides, it's live-action, meaning, it never gets old. We update it constantly.

Good Luck!

Click here for the full Summer Day Camp Guide >

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides

Happy Sunday! Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead this Spring.  As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

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• Scenic Hudson Kayak Storage: Lottery for storage is open until April 22nd 
• The Loom Record Release Party: Saturday April 23rd at The Howland Cultural Center
• K104's 5th Annual Cupcake Festival: Sunday May 8th at Main Street in Fishkill

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by Month. Take a look for a big picture view of your month ahead!

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• All Sport Health & Fitness:  Camp Fit program dates, School's Out Daycare Program

Check our Kids Glasses Guide regularly for more updates.

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• The Beacon Pantry: more classes added such as Beginning Butchery, Cooking For The Week, and A Taste Of The Beacon Pantry
• All Sport Health & Fitness: April is "Buddy Month", plus Comedy Night, Health & Nutrition workshops and more April events.

Check our Adult Classes Guide for more updates.

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• COLORANT Re-Opening: Hours are 11 am to 6 pm, Friday through Sunday. 

You can always check our Shopping Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

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• Barb's Butchery: Beginner class at The Beacon Pantry, "Beginner Butchery With Barb - Chicken" on April 26th. 
• Royal Crepes:  Now open at 303 Main Street in Beacon

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

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Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides

Happy Sunday! Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead this Spring.  As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

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• Common Ground Farm Plant Sale:   Saturday May 7th, at Tito Santanas Taqueria.
• Come on Beacon, let's dance!: Saturday April 22nd, 8pm at The Howland Cultural Center. 
• Hudson Valley Mac n Cheese Festival: Saturday, April 30th in Washingtonville, NY. Those who were lucky enough to score tickets (it sold out!) look for Barb's Butchery cooking up a batch of special mac and cheese! Wonder what her twist on the recipe will be!

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by Month. Take a look for a big picture view of your month ahead!

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• Boys & Girls Soccer: Fishkill Recreation, 4th to 6th Grade, registration required
• Just Dance: SkyBaby Yoga & Pilates, 1st Sunday of the month (kids & adults)
• Clay Garden: Beacon Craft Workshop, ages 5-8 and 8-12 starting this week

Check our Kids Glasses Guide regularly for more updates.

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• Cheese & Wine Pairing Class: Friday April 8th at The Beacon Pantry
• Kayaking: How To Get Started: Thursday, April 7th at The Howland Public Library (new category)
• Overcome The Overwhelm. Make Time. Make Money: Thursday, April 7th at Oak Vino Wine Bar

Check our Adult Classes Guide for more updates.

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• OPEN HOUSE: Camp Fit at All Sport Health & Fitness in Fishkill, NY
• Fishkill Recreation Programs: The Artist Corner, Mad Science, Snapology, Sports Camp, Junior & Senior Day Camps

Check Summer Camp Guide for ages, rates, and registration details.

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• "The Naked & The Lens" Launch Party & Book Signing: at The Pfotoshop Saturday, April 9th (Second Saturday!)

You can always check our Shopping Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

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Saturday, April 30th, Barb’s Butchery will be cooking up the best of the best mac and cheese for a Hudson Valley Mac and Cheese Festival in Washingtonville. Kids 10 and under eat free. VIP TICKETS ONLY LEFT!

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

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Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides

Happy Easter!  Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan your weeks and months ahead.  As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

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• Coffee House at The Howland Cultural Center: Saturday April 2nd
• Record Store Day: Saturday April 16th
• Ree-Play Sale: April 29 through May 1st
• Hudson Valley Hullabaloo & Craft Brew Bugaloo: Saturday May 21st

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by Month. Take a look for a big picture view of your month ahead!

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• Barb's Butchery: Wide selection of fresh cuts of grass or grain angus beef.  Closed Easter Sunday.

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

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• Beacon Craft Workshop: Ages 4-10, at Ilana’s home in Beacon, right near Sargent School.

Check out our Summer Camp Guide for a full list of great options.

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• New categories added: Cheerleading, Football, Softball.
• Building and Drawing En Espanol: From Beacon Craft Workshop - Ages 4-7, a fusion of Spanish language and 3-D and 2-D art making.
• Art, Yoga, Music, & Language: From Compass Arts

Check our Kids Glasses Guide regularly for more updates.

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• Knit, Slip & Beyond: April dates added from Beacon Arts Studio
• Sea Lion Talk: Saturday April 2nd at The Howland Public Library 
• Author Talk With Shadei Williams: Thursday March 31st at The Howland Public Library 
• Spoon Carving Class: With Keith Decent at Spire Studios

Check our Adult Classes Guide for more updates.

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Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

March Happenings at All Sport - Including Cycle/Yoga Fusion and Kids Spring Break Camp (Sponsored)

The Cycle/Yoga fusion has been a popular workshop, and is offered on special days only.
Last month, registration doubled as a fundraiser.
This month, registration is going to fill up fast, so get up on it!
Details on Cycle/Fusion below.

The focus is on fitness at All Sport, but their programming is saying it loud and clear: All Sport is a well-rounded club membership. It's an experience with a lot of choices for the whole family. People who have lived in the Hudson Valley their whole lives and whose parents worked at All Sport decades ago have told me: "I lived at All Sport. My mom worked there and I was there all summer. I loved it."

Everyone's experience at All Sport is different, thanks to their ongoing programs in vastly different areas, like basketball leagues for adults, indoor soccer classes for boys and girls, boxing classes with one-time only workshops designed to shake it up and challenge you, entertain you, and keep you on your toes - your boxing toes!

A Little Beacon Blog keeps a full schedule of what is happening at All Sport here at the blog so that you have easy access to see what is going on this month, on which days, for which ages. We are dedicated to helping you have an organized, curated experience here in Beacon and the Hudson Valley, and incorporating All Sport's programs into your weekday and weekend schedule is no exception!

Here's the rundown of things you don't want to miss at All Sport for March. As you know, classes book up fast and you've got to be a quick little bunny to sign up. Keep All Sport's Sponsor Spotlight page open on your phone and refresh it every now and then for the latest classes and programs.

FOR KIDS:

March 1, 2016 - Book Club Begins (ok, this has passed, but know that they have a Book Club!)

March 2, 2016 - Registration for Spring 1 (members)

March 4, 2016 - Registration for Spring 1 (non-members)

March 4, 2016 - Pool Volleyball

March 9, 2016 - Sports Conditioning & Pitching

March 11, 2016 - Kids Night Out

March 11, 2016 - Free Swim Assessment

March 12, 2016 - Babysitting Course

March 21-25, 2016 - Spring Camp

March 28, 2016 - Spring 1 session of programs begin

March 31, 2016 - Lifeguard Training

Special for Wappingers Falls School District: School Age Child Care Begins in September 

FOR ADULTS 

Special workshops have been designed to keep the challenge in your workout and shake up your week! See below for dates of special classes you won't want to miss. Our favorite? The Cycle/Yoga Fusion.

Cycle/Yoga Fusion

Friday, March 11

Join Camille for a 30-minute Cycle and Maureen for a 1-hour Power Flow - the perfect balance to end your week. Register today! ($25 Members/$30 Non-Members).
Details >

Train Like A Fighter
March 14 - April 26
This NEW fierce fitness program is based off of Martial Arts and Self Defense techniques. Our Certified Personal Trainers will motivate you in this 6-week program that will have you shadow-boxing, using heavy bags, hitting tires with sledge hammers, and many more fearless feats.
Details >

Group Exercise Chisel & Sculpt Challenge
Tuesday, March 15
You'll use different variations of sculpting exercises to chisel and challenge your body.
Details >

Irish Ride
Wednesday, March 16
Spin out with Kim Wilson to Irish music, including U2, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, and many more. A spirited and celebratory ride!
Details >

Motown Ride
Thursday, March 30
Ride to the classics with this fun, funky Motown-themed class.
Details >

All Sport raised over $1,000 for the Fishkill Food Pantry with their Tap Back,
Give Back Fundraiser Ride as well as donations from members.

There's always something going on at All Sport.
This month, they partnered with JMcLaughlin for a popup shopping event to benefit
Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation - and your wardrobe.

All Sport is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, and we thank you for supporting businesses that make this publication possible! Click here for Advertising Opportunities.

New This Week in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides At A Little Beacon Blog!

We've made so many updates to our classes and guides this week, we want to make sure you do not miss a thing!

We just found out this week that the 10th Annual Beacon Barks Parade has been postponed until the last Sunday of April 2017. In the meantime, please continue to support the Dutchess County SPCA and Beacon Barkery.

A Little Beacon Blog is happy to be a sponsor of "Turning Passion Into Profit" at Beahive on March 16th. The event is hosted by HV Women In Business, and the topic will be about how to become successful by doing what you love.

Great guide. Can't believe I missed out on the start of the Beginner Spanish class! https://t.co/FB48lv0IcA

— CTPassat (@CTPassat) February 21, 2016

Don't worry, "CTPassat," we have added more language classes (including Spanish!) from the Fishkill Recreation Center.

Has your kid expressed an interest in Babysitting? Make sure they are trained the right way.  We added a new Babysitting category to our Kids Classes, featuring workshops that aspiring caregivers can sign up for.

Has the craft bug bitten you? Take a road trip down to Pelham in Westchester County to learn the craft of Wet Felting, where you learn to transform delicate wool fibers and into strong cloth with beautiful texture.

And don't forget to keep moving! We added more Zumba! and Tai Chi classes at the Veterans Memorial Building and Beacon Recreation Center.

March is jam-packed with upcoming events to check out! Easter is early this year, so bring the kids to Memorial Park for their annual Easter Egg hunt. More new events include a magic show with illusionist Ryan Dutcher, a special "Coffee House" night at the Howland Cultural Center (check out the "Women Artists Of The Hudson Valley" exhibit while you're there), and the inaugural Parade Of Green for St. Patrick's Day!

Plan ahead for April by supporting The Beacon Players with their rendition of Peter Pan at Beacon High School.

Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com.