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🧔🏽♂️ Dad Thoughts: Not Me, Camp
Last week I wrote about my niece and nephew putting away piece after piece of salmon sashimi while my son sat there eating nothing but rice.
Here's the part I left out.
When Niam started camp this summer, one of my quiet hopes was that he'd get exposed to more. Not because I need him eating sashimi. I don't care if he never touches a piece of raw fish in his life. I just want him to try things. To find out for himself what he likes and what he doesn't, instead of deciding from across the table that the answer is no.
And it's working. He came home eating pizza. He tried a sausage patty. Voluntarily.
Months of me negotiating over a single piece of chicken, and camp got it done in a couple of weeks.
So now I want to hear yours. What's the food you were sure your kid would love and they wouldn't go near? What's the thing they did that you never saw coming?
Hit reply and tell me. Even if it's just to tell me I'm not alone in this.
🚗 FAMILY FUN FIELD TRIPS
Dad-approved outings.
This Weekend → ⛵️ Family Day on the Lake The Lakeside Theatre transforms into a kids' wonderland with a Beauty and the Beast show, princesses, and a wide range of children's entertainment. Free, and built for the 0-12 crowd.
💰 FREE
📅 Sun July 26, 4:00 PM
🔗 nassaucountyny.gov/parks
🧊 Ice House Jams at Sands Point Preserve Live local music in the woods behind Castle Gould at the Preserve's cozy pond-side Ice House, curated by Homebrew Music. Bring a picnic, explore the trails, and let the little ones roam.
💰 FREE admission, $15 parking for non-members
📅 Sun July 26, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
🔗 sandspointpreserveconservancy.org
Next Week → 🇮🇹 Massapequa Festa del Giglio (Italian Feast) A Long Island summer tradition unlike a standard carnival - the Giglio is a Neapolitan religious procession where an enormous tower is carried and "danced" through the streets, surrounded by music, food, rides, and zeppoles. One of the most distinctive cultural events on the Island.
💰 Free admission (pay for food/rides)
📅 July 30 - August 2
🔗 massapequa-giglio.org
Next Weekend → 🪩 Disco Summer Dance Party at Town Park Point Lookout The Town of Hempstead throws a beachside blowout with live music from Sister Sledge, France Joli, and C+C Music Factory, plus food trucks, craft vendors, a beer garden, and a drone show to close the night.
💰 FREE
📅 Sat Aug 1
🔗 townofhempsteadevents.com
🧱 Rainy-Day Pick: Sean Kenney's Nature Connects (LEGO) at Old Westbury Gardens Seventeen larger-than-life sculptures built from LEGO bricks are scattered along two miles of garden trails. On Wed July 29, the kids' "Seasonal Sprouts" guided LEGO tour (ages 4-10) runs as well.
💰 $22 adults / $20 seniors & students / $12 kids 7-17 / free under 6
📅 Daily except Tuesdays
🔗 oldwestburygardens.org/events
✏️ PENCIL IT IN
Future you will be glad you read this.
🎬 Cedar Creek Park Movie: "Bad Guys" Neighborhood movie night; film begins at dusk.
💰 FREE
📅 Tue Aug 4
🔗 nassaucountyny.gov/parks
⚾ Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival at Old Bethpage Teams from multiple states compete in a weekend tournament under 1860s rules - the marquee vintage base-ball event of the year.
💰 Village admission $15 adults / $12 kids 5-12
📅 Scheduled Aug 8-9
🔗 oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org
Two Things:
Forward this to Nassau County parents you think would appreciate it.
Hit reply and tell me anything - what you liked, what you want more of, what I missed. I read every single reply.
And if someone forwarded this to you, welcome. You can subscribe here: nassaudaddrop.com
See you next Thursday,
Akash