A Guide to the Most Exciting World Frog Day Events in RI

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Finding the right summer camp for your child can be a daunting task! We’ve created this comprehensive list of summer camps in Rhode Island to help you out!

Moses Brown Summer Camps

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Moses Brown has offered rewarding and exciting camp programs for more than 50 years, but each year is a chance to create new memories with different offerings and new friends! Located in the center of Providence, Moses Brown’s 33-acre campus is a lush and green oasis. Children enjoy the use of all facilities, including the state-of-the-art artificial turf field, soccer field, softball diamond, woodshop, ceramic studio, computer labs, Y-lab, and performance halls. Register for Moses Brown Summer Camp here.

Next Stop BROADWAY® at PPAC

Next Stop BROADWAY® transports theatre-loving youth ages 10-17 to the “Golden Age of Broadway!” Cast members tap their creativity, hone their skills, and cultivate their passions in the collaborative context of the ensemble. This five-day, rigorous immersion culminates in an “Opening Night” performance on PPAC’s historic stage! Next Stop is a full day program (9 AM to 5 PM) with lunch and all supplies included. Financial Aid is available. Designed both for those with and without theatre experience! Dates: July 15-19 and July 22-26, 2024. New for 2024! “NEXT!” is PPAC’s new audition preparation course (August 5-9).

Summer at Gordon

Since 1910, Gordon’s progressive academic program has put children, and their voices, at the center of learning. For nine weeks this summer, we once again look beyond the school year to expand our mission-driven, child-centered programming. The result is a diverse offering of camps that are playful, thoughtful, creative, and fun for children from age three to rising eighth grade. Our nurturing and compassionate staff (including Gordon faculty and alumni) are ready to engage your child, encouraging them to venture safely outside their comfort zone, as they create new memories, forge friendships and explore Gordon’s twelve-acre campus.

Learn more about Community Boating here.

Community Boating

One-week, sailing/paddling EcoAdventure summer camps offer long-distance picnic cruises, fun on-the-water games and hands-on environmental lessons. Two-week Sailing Camps use kid-sized boats, fun games, and lots of encouragement in hands-on sailing. After-school, adult classes, sailing parties, facility rentals also available. Age/Restrictions: Age 8-16, no previous experience required. Dates: All sessions June 17 – Aug 16. All camps Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 3:30pm. Cost: $365/ 1-week, $775 2-weeks. Scholarships are available.

Learn more about Steve & Kates Camp here.

Steve & Kates Camp

Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge of their own learning experience. Kids choose from a variety of activities in real-time, including sewing, coding, maker crafts, baking, sports, and more! As kids try, fail, and learn on their own, they learn to trust their own judgment, and tackle the challenges of the world with creativity and confidence. Families can buy any number of days, to use at any time–no weekly reservations required. Or, buy a Summer Pass, which covers the whole season. Either way, any unused Passes are automatically refunded at summer’s end. Ages: 5–12 | Lunch, snacks & all hours (8am–6pm) included.

Day Camp with Adventure Base Camp, Narragansett Council, BSA

Below you will find a comprehensive list of summer camps in Rhode Island and the surrounding areas.

Moses Brown Summer Camps Providence, RI

Gordon School East Providence, RI

Lincoln School Providence, RI

Mount St Charles Sports Camp Woonsocket, RI

Providence Day School Summer Program East Providence, RI

Peter Pan Surfing Academy South Kingstown, RI

Rhode Island Fencing Academy and Club East Providence, RI

Rockspot Climbing Summer Camp Multiple Locations

Rocky Hill School’s Summer Enrichment East Greenwich, RI

Teamworks Summer Camp Warwick, RI

The Groden Network Providence, RI

The Autism Project Providence, RI

Camp Starfish Rindge, NH

Camp Ruggles Chepachet, RI

Camp Phoenix North Smithfield, RI

Camp Grovesnor Saunderstown, Rhode Island

Camp Ramsbottom Rehoboth, RI

Camp Watchaug Charlestown, RI

Kingston’s Camp on Larkin’s Pond West Kingston, RI

Camp JORI Wakefield, RI

Camp Aldersgate North Scituate, RI

Camp Cedarwood Barrington, RI

Mother of Hope Camp Chepachet, RI

AQUIDNECK ISLAND DAY CAMP PORTSMOUTH, RI

St. Michaels County Day School Summer Camp Newport, RI

Summer J-Camp Providence, RI

Kent County’s Best Summer Camp Warwick, RI

Jamestown Art Center Jamestown, RI

Historic New England Summer Enrichment Multiple Locations

1 on 1 Basketball Providence

ARTISTS’ EXCHANGE Cranston

Audubon Summer Camp RI Bristol RI, Seekonk MA

Ballet of RI Providence

Debate Camp Providence Providence

Rhode Island College Summer Camps Providence

Dream Big Gymnastics Cranston

GAMM Summer Camps Warwick

Herreshoff Sailing Programs Bristol

Johnson & Wales University Cooking Camp Providence

Cranston Parks & Recreation Cranston, RI

Providence Recreation Providence, RI

Johnston Parks & Recreation Johnston, RI

Slater Park Summer Camp Pawtucket, RI

Camp Invention Multiple Locations

Launch Trampoline Park Warwick

Longplex Sports Camp Tiverton

Newport Art Museum Newport

Eat, Play, Learn PVD Providence

Sail to Prevail Newport

Summer at St. Andrews Barrington

Tastebuds Kitchen East Greenwich

The Childrens Workshop Central Falls RI

The French American School of RI Providence

The Pennfield School Portsmouth

Warwick Center for the Arts Warwick

Wide World of Indoor Sports North Smithfield, North Kingstown

YMCA of Pawtucket Pawtucket

Warwick’s Best Summer Camp Warwick

Community Boating Center Narragansett, RI

Girls Summer Leadership Camps Providence, RI

Norman Bird Sanctuary Middletown, RI

Stepping Stone Ranch Summer Camp Escoheag, RI

ECC Summer Camp Programs Pascoag, RI

Rhode Island Youth Theater Saunderstown, RI

Stadium Theatre Summer Vacation Day Camp Woonsocket, RI

Trinity Rep YASI Providence, RI

Blue Door Art Studio Smithfield, RI

Want to be a part of our Summer Camp Guide?

We want to show our readers all the great camps available right here in the Rhode Island and Southeastern MA area. Join us and help enrich the lives of Providence Moms!

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29 Ways to Celebrate Leap Day with Kids

By

Cassidy

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February 26, 2024

We know Leap Year happens every four years, but what is the purpose? We’re breaking it down for you, and sharing 29 ways to celebrate Leap Day with kids!

What & Why?

In simple terms, a Leap Year is when an extra day, February 29th, is added to the calendar year to keep our seasons aligned. We’re New Englanders, of course we love our four seasons and don’t want them to fall off track. The reason for the seasons is Leap Year – so let’s celebrate and make the most of this extra day!

Celebrate!

Leap into a new book and visit your local library! Browse their selection for Leap Day (or frog themed) books or use this list as inspiration to place a hold on titles you want to bring home to read.
Create a family time capsule with this template and put it in a safe place to open next Leap Year – 2028!
Grab what is left of last year’s chalk and create a bunch of hopscotch in the driveway for some hopping fun. Do your kids like a challenge? Have them write the hopscotch numbers counting by 2s or 4s!
Hop on over to Grey Sail Brewing for $5 house drafts 3-8pm and Bingo beginning at 6pm!
Leap into Legos at Providence Brick Exchange during their BOGO sale now thru 2/29!
Use the extra day to do something good:
Collect outgrown or unworn clothing items to donate.
Make birthday cards for your local nursing home.
Drop off canned goods to your local food pantry.
Visit your local park, with gloves, and pick up litter.
Donate books your family no longer uses.
Book your next birthday party with the help of Shark Bay Play offering $29 off all birthday packages booked by 2/29.
While you’re booking, take a dive over to Great Wolf Lodge website to book your next stay at $29/person using the promo code LEAP.
Take a leap and make a splash! Visit McDermott Pool in Warwick or Tootell Acquatic Center in Kingston during their open family swim times.
Looking to stay on land? Get hopping at one Rhode Island’s trampoline parks – Aero, Launch or Sky Zone.
Play jump rope.
No cooking or dishes? Toad-ally awesome! Check out Mews Tavern 4x$4 deals beginning at 2:29pm.
Leap into a 2/$29 lobster deal at Legal Seafoods.
Go on a post-dinner walk but hop like a frog the whole way!
This is for our Leaplings, those whose birthdays fall on 2/29, visit Build-A-Bear Workshop with birth date verification and receive a $4 Birthday Treat Bear.
We’re going on a … frog hunt! Add some miniature frogs to your Amazon order and hide them for the kids to find. Bonus: opt for glow in the dark frogs and hide at night to get out those last wiggles before bedtime.
Bake cupcakes in honor of those celebrating Leap Day Birthdays – Leaplings!
An extra day to do EXTRA for yourself! Stop by your favorite coffee shop for that fancy coffee, take the long way home, add your favorite ‘saved item’ to cart and click order, sleep in an extra 10 minutes – do whatever extra looks like for you!
Take a leap of faith and try something new as a family – recipe, show or walking trail.
Make plans to leap into the sky at Tree Top or Tree Trails adventure rope courses this spring or summer.
Play leapfrog! Yes parents, this includes you, too!
Donate $29 to a charity close to your heart in honor of the 29th day of February.
Learn something new as a family: Origami – Jumping Frog
Use this extra day on 2/29 to schedule family time each month on your calendar for the rest of the year!

However you spend your extra day this Leap Year, I hope you have a frogtastic time!

An Open Letter to My Sons

By

Jenny From The Blog

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January 31, 2024

Being a mother of all boys is a category of Mom-Life that I didn’t exactly sign up for, yet here I am. I didn’t choose the Boy Mom life; the Boy Mom life chose me. After years of mothering my sons, I now wear it like a badge of honor.

Raising boys is exhausting. At the end of each day, I am covered in dirt and possibly snot. I am fluent in the language of potty words, I know every superhero (and their powers), and I’ve made more bowls of backyard soup (extra twigs, please) than I can count.

Like every Mom, I have high hopes for my sons. I have wishes, and I have dreams.

An Open Letter to My Sons:

My wish for you, my sons, is that you always remember the magic of childhood. Remember believing in faeries and superheroes. Always look to the sky on Christmas Eve, no matter how old you may be. May sunsets always remind you of running in the dew-covered grass. I hope the smell of fresh waffle cones always reminds you of the nights we had ice cream for dinner.

I hope no one ever tells you to “man up” or misleads you to believe that “boys don’t cry.” Always express your emotions; they are nothing to be ashamed of. I will always be your shoulder to cry on and your sounding board in times of distress. Feel your emotions, share them, and never hide from them. Do not let the world define who you are; only you can do that.

I hope that you always remain kind, curious, and humble. Be the first to say ‘hello’ to a new kid in school. Lend a helping hand to those in need. Remember that everyone is different, and embrace those differences. Stick up for what’s right, even if no one else will. Always ask questions. Even if I don’t have the answers, I will help you find them. Be proud of the things you accomplish, but never boastful. Try your hardest without fear of failure, celebrate your accomplishments, and learn from your mistakes. If you struggle, push through, but never be afraid to ask for help. If you fall, I will always dust you off and encourage you to try again.

Always keep growing, always challenge yourself, but never let the world change who you know you are. I will always be your confidant, your best friend, your strongest advocate, and your number-one fan. The stress, the bugs, the fart jokes, the potty words, the messy bedrooms, and the dirt were all worth it. You are the greatest thing I have ever done. You are my very best work. Most of all, I hope you know that it is an honor to be your Mom.

My sons, you are the very best parts of me.

Overnight Road Trips Near Rhode Island

By

Sara

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January 31, 2024

When winter finally rolls out of town (this year around Mother’s Day), my family develops a bit of wanderlust. After being cooped up like hibernating bears, we enjoy taking an overnight road trip near Rhode Island. Every year, we take a one-week family vacation, but we are also big fans of overnight excursions. There are certain criteria – the destination cannot be more than 2 hours away, it has to include a hotel with a pool, and it must have at least two really good activities to do to warrant the overnight. We are not really beach people, so our list does not include Block Island or the Cape. I’ve decided to include some places that are family favorites and may not be as well known:

Springfield, MA/Pioneer Valley

Only about 90 minutes from Providence, there’s a lot to do. The Springfield Museums include an art museum, a natural history museum, and the recently opened Dr. Seuss Museum and Sculpture Garden. For the sports fan, it is the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame. If you go a bit further to Amherst, you can also visit the Eric Carle Museum. This is one of our favorite places. Not only do you get to see storybook art from his books and others, but they also have an interactive art studio, library, and many places for picnicking. Look Park in Florence, MA, has a lot of outdoor activities, and there is a great college vibe in this area thanks to multiple colleges.

Plymouth, MA

Plimoth Plantation is great for kids of all ages (although I warn you that there is not much shade to be had on a very hot day). You can take a whale-watching tour from the harbor and visit Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II. If you have a kid who is into history, they will love it. We always stay at the John Carver Inn because of the fabulous pool with a water slide.

Berkshires, MA

This pushes the limits of two hours, but it’s worth the extra half hour in the car, and it still counts as an overnight road trip. We usually stay in either Pittsfield or Lenox. The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield is a hidden gem, and we enjoy Hancock Shaker Village, which is similar to Old Sturbridge Village. For older kids or children interested in art and/or history, there are many historic houses, the Norman Rockwell Museum, and several art museums. Great Barrington and Lenox have fun downtown areas with many kid-friendly restaurants. There are also fantastic parks with hiking trails.

North Fork/Eastern, Long Island

I may be a bit biased since I grew up on the Island, but using the car ferry out of New London makes this a reasonably easy weekend destination. Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead is wonderful, and the Long Island Game Farm, right off the Long Island Expressway, is a zoo with quite a few exotic animals. Harbes Family Farm, located in the middle of wine country, has many activities, including a barnyard, farm stand, hayrides, and more.

Salem/Gloucester, MA

One word – witches. If your kid is into all things spooky, this a perfect overnight road trip near Rhode Island. We did not take my kids until they were a bit older (for fear of needing to provide therapy after), so the scary attractions might need to wait until your child is at least age 7 or 8 (although you have to know your kid). Hammond Castle is modeled after a medieval castle, drawbridge, and all, right near downtown Gloucester. The downtown areas of both Salem and Gloucester have cute shops, delicious seafood, and an ocean breeze, even on a hot day. Neither town has a lot of hotels, but nearby Danvers does, and that is where my kids fell in love with Sonic milkshakes.

One of the great things about Rhode Island is that there is so much to do here and many other wonderful things nearby. This summer, pick a weekend, plan a trip, and show your family how many fun destinations there are right in our own backyard!

Motherhood as a Mirror: Our Children As a Reflection of Our Best & Worst

By

Robin Barton

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January 29, 2024

When your children begin to walk, talk, and grow into their personalities, you get to see little versions of yourself. It might be one of the most rewarding facets of parenthood. You and your partner get to pass on your best qualities and behavior, or at least try to. You pridefully watch them grow in your image, on a solid foundation of your values and beliefs.

But it also means you can pass on some of your less-than-ideal qualities. Sometimes, looking at your child is like looking into a mirror to see your reflection. Through your children, you sometimes see things you may not like about yourself. As a parent, you become more aware that not only do you need to teach your children better, but you need to teach yourself too.

For example, when I am upset or angry, I am a classic “door slammer” or, at a minimum, a “shut-doors-and-cabinets-really-fast-and-loudly” person. I know shutting doors angrily won’t solve any problems. But I didn’t realize how often I did it or how undesirable it was to display this behavior until my then 5-year-old slammed a door when he was upset.

I’m not saying to beat ourselves up for our mistakes and character flaws. But we should recognize that through motherhood, you can not only become a better parent with time, but also a better person. Maybe for you, it’s not door-slamming. Maybe it’s swearing, how you treated someone, your lack of patience while waiting in line at Target, or the amount of time you spend on your phone. It can be anything you see magnified through the lens of parenting. Let’s face it: It’s a bit uncomfortable to watch your child mimic an undesirable behavior that you know they learned from you.

Motherhood is beautiful and rewarding. But it’s not always easy, and it’s definitely messy (literally and figuratively). Being a mom has pushed me toward being a better person. I am not going to pretend I am perfect. In the throes of my emotions, I admit I’ve slammed a door in front of my kids since. But since the first time I realized my son was picking up on this behavior, I take pause when I know I am not acting my best. It turns into an opportunity to have a frank talk about how I know I can do better and how to admit when I make a mistake.

While we don’t want to see our children take on our flaws, I believe the opportunity to teach your children that no one is perfect is also an important lesson. Owning mistakes and choosing to learn from them is an equally valuable lesson for children and parents alike.

3 Tips to Get Your Kids Outside This Winter

By

Vicky Griffiths

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January 22, 2024

Toddler in hat and coat with a squeezy bottle of water. Cubes of ice are on the ground among the leaves. — My youngest experiments with freeing frozen treasures from ice at Tinkergarten. Yes, that’s a perineal squirt bottle- we know all the fancy tricks.

Winter with kids can be tough. Here are three tips to get your kids outside this winter!

My first winter as a new mom was the now legendary New England winter of 2014-15. Snowfall records were broken across the region. It was piled so high that walking down the continuously shoveled streets was like walking through tunnels of ice. At the time, my husband was out at work all day with our only car and so if I wanted to get out of my house I had to walk with my then 9-month-old strapped to me in the carrier, the pair of us looking like some kind of abominable snowman, covered in so many layers to keep us both warm. I will never forget the experience of trying to climb over snow stacked high to the curb and slippery sheets of ice, praying that she and I would just stay upright. Our short journey to CVS at the end of the street, or a friend’s house a few away became fully-fledged missions of daring feats.

A snowy street with a car parked between piles of snow that are higher than the car — The snow in Boston in 2014/15 was higher than the fences and parked cars.

woman walking in the snow with babies hat just visible from carrier in front. Toddler walks behind in full snow gear — I particularly enjoyed (note the sarcasm) this walk on a snowy day after my second was born (she’s strapped to me in the carrier). My then 3-year-old bitterly complained while walking as slowly as possible. I took this photo to remind me that even though it was hard, we did it!

Maybe that experience scarred me, but ever since, and certainly as our family has grown from one to three kids, I’ve found myself becoming more and more reluctant to brave the winter weather. It isn’t just the thought of the cold and the ice that I find off-putting, but even the very idea of trying to get all of us dressed and ready to go out in it. There’s three of everything to wrangle all the layers on before I’ve even thought about myself, and some days it feels like we spend longer putting it all on and taking it all off than we actually spend outside!

But the last two years of covid winters cooped up at home have made me even more determined to change this narrative for me and my family. When we choose to stay inside, we get less exercise, more screen time, and frankly, the inevitable cabin fever makes us ten times more likely to drive each other nuts! On the flip side, experts continually tell us that exposure to nature and the great outdoors has so many benefits in all four seasons.

For children, getting outdoors in the winter is especially important.

girl in snow gear sits in the snow with a bucket full of snow and dolls in the bucket, She holds a bowl of snow and a spoon — Cryogenic experiments with plastic dolls happening just outside our back door. Sometimes the back door is as far as you can make it.

Fresh air and sunlight increase circulation, builds the immune system, contributes to healthy sleep patterns, lowers stress, provides unique sensory experiences, and offers the opportunity to develop grit and resilience. so, when I feel daunted at the prospect of getting outside during the coldest month, I remind myself that this experience is a gift to me and my family;an investment in my children’s present and future health and well-being.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it won’t be challenging!

Here are three tips that will make it easier to get your kids outside this winter:

Have the right gear:

When you’re not dressed appropriately for the weather it’s tough to feel cheerful in it. This winter I have made sure we have all the right gear to be comfortable outdoors, without breaking the bank. I’ve invested in some cozy base layers, warm joggers and fleeces, snow pants, and thermal insulated jackets. I’ve made sure boots still fit and each of us has a couple of pairs comfortabe of merino wool or thermal socks to wear. I also plan to reorganize my entryway so that coats, gloves, hats, and neck gaiters are easily accessible and ready for us to grab.

For a really excellent and up-to-date guide to winter gear for all ages, and discounts on family-recommended brands, check out this Winter Gear Guide from Tinkergarten. You can also check out their tips on how to get wiggly kids to bundle up for winter.

Have the right mindset:

Our children take their cues from us. If we grumble about the weather and express reluctance to go outside, then it’s not surprising that they will not feel excited about it either. This doesn’t mean we just have to suck it up and get on with it for the sake of our kids, rather, if we try to find things that we enjoy about the winter and lean into them, we can put ourselves in a better mindset for dealing with its challenges. I love this ‘What is Your Winter Mindset?’ post, which encourages us to ask ourselves these honest questions:

How do I really feel about this winter?
How does that change when I take my parent hat off (if that is even possible 😉)?
What is hard about winter where I live?
What is really special about winter where I live?
What do I feel most excited to do/experience today/this winter?

If we are the kind of people who just prefer to be cozy inside with a cuppa we can still honor that preference. It’s possible to have an even greater appreciation for these rhythms when we come in from the cold. They are something we can look forward to, or even take outside. This winter we’ll be taking a flask of hot tea or cocoa for an outdoor winter tea party!

Have the right community:

Like many things in life, getting outdoors in winter is easier when we do it together. Sometimes meeting others is the motivation we need to do what feels hard by ourselves. Leave yourself plenty of time to get ready and meet another family an outdoor winter play date. Take snacks and perhaps have a simple outdoor activity up your sleeve to kickstart the fun; staying active while you’re outdoors will help keep little ones warm! Tinkergarten has tons of free DIY Activities and also produces a free monthly play calendar with weather-appropriate ideas for every day of the month.

I’ve also found Facebook groups like #OutdoorsAll4 Facebook Group and 1000 Hours Outside truly inspiring as it enables you to connect with thousands of caregivers and educators, who are working to build purposeful outdoor play into their routine in all the seasons, and can help us build upon these three tips to get your kids outside this winter.

This winter I’m particularly excited to be a Tinkergarten Leader! The curriculum (which is designed to fill your weeks with outdoor pla) is exactly the motivation I need to get my family outdoors regularly, and I can’t wait to explore the wonders of winter with other families in my community. We’ll turn the outdoors into a discovery lab, as we invite kids to wonder, observe, experiment, and work together (and enjoy warm Tinkergarten tea, too!). If it feels hard to do this by yourself, why not come and join us for a weekly class in a beautiful local space? We’d love to see you there!

This winter I will not to let the weather dictate whether I stay indoors or not. We are saying NO to cabin fever! Get your kids outside this winter!

You can learn more about Tinkergarten here.

Festivals and Favorites for Winter in Rhode Island

By

Rhode Island Moms

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January 22, 2024