The Art Institute of York's Rock the Canvas 2012

The Art Institute of York is the sponsor for Rock the Canvas 2012.  Rock the Canvas will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2012 from 1-5PM at Springettsbury Park.  The event will include live music, art activities for children under 12, art exhibits and more. 

Summer Camp at the York JCC

The York Jewish Community Center has 3 summer camp options for all age groups.  Hours are 6:30am-6pm with most activities occurring between 9am-4pm. 

For children ages 3-6 the JCC offers the Early Years Discover Camp.  Weekly themes and activities like music, games, reading and science will be enjoyed by the campers.  

For children entering grades K-8 the JCC offers the Center Campus Club J.  A large variety of indoor and outdoor activities will be offered and children may participate in their favorites or experience new ones, including swimming, sports, cooking, journalism and many more.  

The price for the above camps is $161/week for members and $177/week for non-members.


Teens ages 13-18 can participate in the Facilitators-in-Training (FIT) program.  This is offered from 7am-5pm.  Teens will work with children and learn basic leadership and safety skills.  Cost for the FIT program is $72/week for members and $105/week for non-members.        

You can visit the York JCC to see the weekly themes, other planned activities during camp season and for more information. 

Summer Camps York, PA
Summer Activities for kids in York

Springettsbury Sounds of Summer 2012

Every summer Springettsbury Park (by the York Galleria Mall) in Springettsbury Township (East York) hosts the Sounds of Summer.  Every Sunday and Wednesday from Sunday June 10, 2012 until Sunday August 5, 2012 you can bring your blankets or lawn chairs at 7pm to enjoy an evening of live music, food and fun. Sounds of Summer is held rain or shine.  There are many different genres performing and many returning favorites. This event is always full of energy and if the family just isn't into it there is always Creative Playground, AKA "Castle Park" to enjoy. Favorite food vendors including Bricker's French Fries and funnel cake are available during these events.

You can view the full 2012 Concert Schedule lineup on the Springettsbury Township website.


July 4, 2012 falls on a Wednesday.  The Urban Guerilla Orchestra will be performing and fireworks will follow. 

Summer Playground Program West Manchester Township

Children ages 5-12 are invited to participate in West Manchester Township's Summer Playground Program.  Activities include games, sports, arts & crafts and more.  The Summer Playground program runs from June 25-August 3, 2012 with the exceptions of July 4 and July 31. 
The program runs from 9am-12pm Monday-Friday.
West Manchester offers 3 playgrounds to choose from: Loman Park, Sunset Lane Park and Shetter Park.  This cost for this program is $55 for residents of West Manchester Township and $65 for non-members. 

Frank Theatres Summer Kids Series 2012

Frank Theatres has announced their Summer Kids Series for the 2012 summer.  Admission this year is $1 per person.  Movies are shown at 10:00am on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting June 19, 2012 and ending August 9, 2012. 
Frank Theatres is located at
Queensgate Stadium 13
2067 Springwood Rd.
York, PA 17403

Frank Theatres Summer Kids Series 2012 movie schedule:

Tuesday June 19 and Thursday June 21: Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG)

Tuesday June 26 and Thursday June 28: The Smurfs (PG)

Tuesday July 3 and Thursday July 5: Puss in Boots (PG)

Tuesday July 10 and Thursday July 12: Happy Feet Two (PG)

Tuesday July 17 and Thursday July 19: Shrek Forever After (PG) 

Tuesday July 24 and Thursday July 26: Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (PG)

Tuesday July 31 and Thursday August 2: Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (G)

Tuesday August 7 and Thursday August 9: The Adventures of Tin Tin (PG)


You can also view the Gettysburg Frank Theatres Summer Kids Series 2012 schedule which includes a different schedule and a few other movies. 

The Annual Perseid Meteor Shower August 2011

The annual Perseid Meteor Showers are happening right now.  From close to the end of July until mid August (the peak is mid-August, anyway) late night or early morning sky watchers can view the meteor showers hosted for free by the sky.  Get your binoculars, telescopes and blankets ready! 
The best times and dates to view the Perseid Showers are between moonset and the first light of dawn on August 10th and 11th.  On August 13, 2011, during the peak times the sky will be brightened by the full moon.  This may make the meteor showers difficult to see during more reasonable hours. 
Get your kids excited by science by educating them on the showers before watching.  You can find lots of great information at Space.com. Or view the 2011 Perseid Meteor Shower view table to prepare for your adventure. 


When we watched the Perseid Showers we decided to go to a family member's house since we have loud and crazy kids.  They definitely aren't the quiet type!  We brought blankets, got out chairs, binoculars.  The little one fell asleep in my arms- a pillow would have been a good idea.  Snacks will keep the kids occupied during slow times.  Printing up a star-gazing chart would be helpful as well.  Then you can play eye-spy games with older kids or race to see who finds certain ones first.    
 
Have you watched meteor showers with your kids in the past?  What are your tips for making the most out of educational activities like this? 

2011 Dallastown Carnival

The 2011 Dallastown Carnival at the Dallastown Community Park will be held from Tuesday August 16, 2011 until Saturday August 20, 2011.  This event offers free admission, free parking and free entertainment.  
The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday 8/16 from 6-10pm.  Musical entertainment by Long Ryde (bluegrass).
Wednesay 8/17 from 6-10pm.  Musical entertainment by Mark DeRose & The Way Home  (Acoustic Rock).
Thursday 8/18 from 6-10pm.  Musical entertainment by Revolve (Beetles Cover Band).
Friday 8/19 from 5-11pm.  Musical entertainment by Full Tilt (motown).
Saturday 8/20 from 5-11pm.  Musical entertainment by Jay Jackson Show (country).

Raffle tickets are on sale now and sales will continue throughout the carnival to win a TV, laptop, XBox Kinect, Ipod and E-reader. 

Red Lion's 35th Annual Street Fair 2011

The 35th annual Red Lion Street Fair- sponsored by the Red Lion Area Business Association- will be held on Saturday August 13, 2011 from 9am-4pm in downtown Red Lion.  This family-friendly event in Red Lion, PA has plenty of fun and free activities and entertainment for the whole family, plus shopping and lots of yummy food! 

Kiwanis Lake 2011 Summer Movie Series

Every Wednesday until August 17, 2011 Kiwanis Lake is offering free movies for the 2011 Summer Movie Series.  Family-friendly movies begin every Wednesday at dusk (around 8:30pm) outside by the lake.  Bring a blanket or chairs to this free event.  Food will be for sale. 

YorkArts will attend on Wednesday August 10, 2011 from 6:30-7:30pm for a FREE art in the park program.

The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday July 27: Cats and Dogs
Wednesday August 3: Gnomeo and Juliet

Wednesday August 10: Furry Vengence

Wednesday August 17: Tangled

Lincoln Park Summer Concert Series 2011

Every Thursday until August 18th you can visit Lincoln Park in York City for their free Summer Concert Series.  Starting at 7pm there will be live musical entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. 
The schedule is as follows:
Thursday July 28: Sarah Indian Summer Jars- Festive music.
Thursday August 4: Dennis McCaughey – Tropical Soul
Thursday August 11: Alex Smith Trio- Jazz, Blues and Funk
Thursday August 18: Leah Burkey- Current Country

View Larger Map Get Directions View Bird's Eye

National Night Out 2011

National Night Out, in its 28th year, will be held on Tuesday August 2, 2011 from approximately 5-dark at various parks throughout York County.  National Night Out is a fun event that brings together our communities while promoting crime prevention awareness.  

There are many parks in York participating in this event and I can't locate them all.  I'll do my best to list every one that I'm aware of.  If you know of one that I haven't listed please share it in the comments section!

York City will have NNO at various York City parks.  I cannot find information on which parks. 
West York Borough: Shelly Park will have food, activities, borough officials and live music from Behavioral Nightmare. 
Dallastown: Dallastown Community Park will have city officials, pony rides, a magician, bounce house, scavenger hunt, K9 demonstrations, face painting, fire competition, live entertainment by The Outlaw (DJ) and more.  Their website has also requested that Padawans should bring their lightsabers (and non-perishables) for an expected out of town visitor.  Dallastown also invites residents of Red Lion to their event. 
Spring Garden Township: Elmwood Park (next to Memorial Hospital) will have food, games, bounce house, public officials, car seat check*, Bike safety course* and more.  *pre-register by calling 854-7282. 
Carroll Township (Dillsburg area): Residents of Carroll Township, Dillsburg Borough and Monaghan Township are invited to Logan Park on Logan Road for an old time family-style cookout, exhibits by law enforcement and the fire departments.  Bring non-perishables for the food bank. 

Are you attending your local National Night Out?  Do you know of any I missed? 

Sunset Lane Park Summer Social and Movie Night

On July 21, 2011 from 7pm-? you can visit Sunset Lane Park in West York (Shiloh area) for a Summer Social and Movie Night.  The evening will start with musical entertainment by DJ DeLuge.  Then at dark families can enjoy a free movie: Furry Vengeance and food will be for sale including pizza, italian ice and soda.  Don't forget to bring your chairs, blankets and dancing shoes! 

Rain date is July 28, 2011. 

Free Friday Night Flicks at York Township Park

Free outdoor movies!!
York Township Park in South York, PA (Spry) offers FREE outdoor movies every Friday night from now until August 26, 2011. York Township is providing the inflatable big screen- you only need to provide chairs and blankets. These are all family-friendly (mostly G and PG)) movies and it's a perfect way to enjoy the fresh outdoor air without risk of sunburn or heat-related injuries!  All movies begin at 8:45pm.

Here is the list of Summer movies available at the York Township Park:

July 15, 2011: Shrek Forever After
July 22, 2011: Sherlock Holmes
July 29, 2011: Despicable Me
August 5, 2011: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
August 12, 2011: Tangled
August 19, 2011: Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
August 26, 2011: Toy Story 3




York Township Park is located at 25 Oak Street, York, PA 17402, which is just off of S. Queen St. in Spry.


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Get Outdoors (GO) York: Passport to Adventure

Get Outdoors (GO) York has partnered with York County Libraries and others for a summer program called the Passport to Adventure that encourages reading and physical activity. 

From June 1, 2011 until September 5, 2011 families with children of every age (birth to 18 years) can participate in two different events: the reading program, One World, Many Stories and the physical Go Explore Your World, with opportunities to win prizes along the way. 

For this adventurous Summer activity your child(ren) will obtain a passport from your local York County library with everything you need to get started.  In your passport you will find directions to every "country" (park) with hints to get to the location and country facts, registration prizes, dates for upcoming events both related to the Passport to Adventure program and for other York County Park and Library programs, info on letterboxing, reading suggestions and much more.  With every checkpoint (see the passport for details on the amount of checkpoints for each entry) your children can increase their chance to win a grand prize, for up to 5 chances.   
For the reading portion of the program you can log your minutes at any York County Library location or on the website.  Children can earn more prizes from this, plus entries for even more prizes! 

In addition to this fun event you can get great recipes from the Get Outdoors York website, based on the countries your family will be exploring through the program including Ratatouille (France) and Buttermilk Soup with Apples (Belgium).  Yum!       

If you haven't already begun, Get Outdoors York!! 

Springettsbury Park's Sounds of Summer

Looking for Springettsbury Park's Sounds of Summer 2012?  

Every summer Springettsbury Park (by the York Galleria Mall) in Springettsbury Township (East York area) hosts Sounds of Summer (PDF file).  Every Sunday and Wednesday from June 12, 2011 until Sunday August 8, 2011 you can bring your blankets or lawn chairs at 7pm to enjoy an evening of live music, food and fun.  Sounds of Summer is held rain or shine.

On Sunday July 3, 2011 there will also be fireworks.

There are many different genres performing and many returning favorites.  This event is always full of energy and if the family just isn't into it there is always the wonderful "Castle Park" to enjoy.  Favorite food vendors including Bricker's French Fries and funnel cake are available during these events

Currently there is a mix-up on their calendar, as it states that on Sunday August 6th there will be many art activities for children from 1-5 and that the last day is Sunday August 8 (Beetlemania!).  Saturday is the 6th, Sunday the 7th.  I'm assuming that the Rock the Canvas event (art activities and live music) is on Saturday the 6th and Beetlemania is Sunday the 7th.   

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July 4th Independence Day Celebrations in York

There are many things to do this weekend to celebrate the July 4, 2011 holiday.  Both Fox43.com and Wgal.com have already provided a great list of all the activities that are available by county.

To view York's activities provided by Fox 43's website go here: July 4th Area Festivities 2011.

To view York's activities provided by the Wgal website go here: Fourth of July Fireworks 2011.

Are you participating in any celebrations this weekend?  Do you have a favorite that you wouldn't miss or are you trying something new this year?  We usually go to Shelly Park in West York and sometimes head over to the fairgrounds to hear the York Symphony Orchestra play.  But we've also enjoyed Springettsbury's Sounds of Summer.  This year we could go to both, since Springettsbury's is on Sunday! 

Jefferson Carnival 2011

Monday July 11- Saturday July 16 2011 is the Jefferson Carnival in Codorus Township, located at 4704 Sportsman Club Road, Codorus Township, off Route 516 (see map below) in Spring Grove.  

You can enjoy food, games, rides and music at this family event. 
The schedule of events is as follows (Music & shows start at 7:30pm):
July 11: Ride wristbands $14.  The Jay Jackson Show.
July 12: Kiddie Rides Reduced 7-9pm.  The Brodbecks Band.  FIREWORKS 10PM.
July 13: Ride wristbands $14.  Hanover Express.  
July 14: All Rides reduced 7-9pm.  Bootleg Band.
July 15: Key Largo- Country.
July 16: Borderline.  

*NO PETS!*
This is a yearly summer event and the largest fund raiser for the Jefferson Sportsmen's Association.   Volunteers are wanted to help before, during and after this event.  Please contact Ken Klein at 717-235-7686 to volunteer.




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Summer Movie Series 2011 at Frank Theatres

Frank Theatres in the Queensgate Shopping Center has already kicked off its Summer Movie Series 2011.  They are offering many of the same movies that the West Manchester Mall theater has but on different days.  If one location doesn't work for you and your family the other might!  Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am is $1 admission to the family-friendly, PG-rated movies listed below.   

Tuesday 7/5 & Thursday 7/7:      Yogi Bear
Tuesday 7/12 & Thursday 7/14:  How to Train Your Dragon
Tuesday 7/19 & Thursday 7/21:  The Karate Kid
Tuesday 7/26 & Thursday 7/28:  Megamind
Tuesday 8/2 & Thursday 8/4:      Despicable Me
Tuesday 8/9 & Thursday 8/11:    The Last Airbender

Groups are welcome and seating is subject to availability. 

Frank Theatres in the Queensgate Shopping Center map:


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Summer Camps in York

There are so many Summer camps in York, PA. 
InYork has created a page to help you find camps that meet your specific needs in the area.  You can choose from day camp or overnight camp and enter in terms that fit what you and your family need in a camp.  You can also search for specialty camps (think art, church, science...) or sports camps. 
When you get your results it will tell you the age group, costs, dates and any other important information about the camp.  It's a very convenient tool! 
Visit InYork's camp search page here: InYork Camp Search

Codorus Blast 2011

The Codorus Blast Festival in the Park will be held Friday June 24- Sunday June 26, 2011 at Codorus State Park in Hanover, PA.  There are tons of fun, family-friendly activities for all ages all three days.  Here is a breakdown of events, plus events that will happen throughout the weekend.  When we went last year we didn't even make it to the amusement ride area and still had a "blast".

Friday events:
Keystone DockDogs Big Air Wave at 4pm and 6:30pm

Music by Pentagon from 7:30-10:30pm

Nature Tent:
6pm The Art of Facolnry
7pm Value of Vultures

Saturday Events:
Keystone DockDogs:
Big Air Wave at 9am, Noon, 3pm.
Extreme Vertical Finals at 6pm

Codorus Blast Triathlon at 10am Application

Free pontoon boat rides from 10am-6pm

Music by The Willys from 1-4pm
Music by 6 Cents from 7-10:30pm

Nature Tent:
Bluebirds at 10am
"Bob the Critter Guy" at 11am
PA Wildlife Natural History Displays at Noon
The Art of Falconry at 1pm
Bees at 2pm
"Bob the Critter Guy" at 3pm
The Saw Whet Owl at 4pm
The Art of Falconry at 5pm

Fireworks at 9pm

Sunday Events:
Keystone DockDogs:
Speed Retrieve at 9am
Big Air Wave at 11am
Speed Retrieve Finals at 1:30pm
Big Air Divisional Finals 2pm

Music by Borderline from 1-4pm
Music by Leah Burkey from 5-7pm

Nature Tent:
Birding in York County at 10am
Value of Vultures at 11am

Other events:

• Logrolling
• Free pontoon boat rides also possible on Friday and Sunday depending on weather conditions and staffing.
• Kayak program Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-4pm $5 per person for a 15-20 minute lesson and 30 minute ride.  
• Amusement rides all weekend with ride-all-night wristbands available for purchase Friday and ride-all-day wristbands available for purchase on Sunday.
• Family Fun Area: next to the amusement rides, enjoy activities like Water Wars, fire prevention demonstrations, professional woodcarvings; and stage acts including comedy, dance, exercise demos and more will be showing during band intermissions.
• Pigeon Releases Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 4pm
• Civil War Reenactors with many events throughout the weekend