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FCE Program Supporter
August is Family Fun Month… and your body wants in.
Good nutrition, physical activity, and feeling your best? Totally a team effort. This month, we’re serving up ways to fuel your body and your calendar — because Dutchess County is packed with fresh-air fun, local produce, and the kind of summer joy that gets you moving without even realizing it.
Start simple: five servings of fruits and veggies a day. Sounds like a lot, but it’s doable when you think grab-and-go. Prep carrot sticks, apples, or a container of berries in the fridge, and you’re already winning. Bonus points for tossing fruit into your water it’s hydration with a sweet little twist.
And now, the fun part.
Family Fun Month means it’s time to get outside.
Local parks? Perfect for a picnic and a walk. Farmers’ markets? Overflowing with in-season goodness like peaches, corn, and tomatoes. Get the kids involved in picking out new foods to try. Turn taste-testing into a game. It’s like a nutrition lesson, minus the eye rolls.
Don’t miss the Dutchess County Fair, August 19–24.
This is peak summer mode. Explore the agri-tents featuring local produce, check out the 4-H youth exhibits, Master Gardener's Information, and visit food stands offering fresh options (yes, even the fair has them, if you know where to look). It’s a whole week of food, fun, and movement that doesn’t feel like a chore. CCEDC staff will also be at a tent near 4-H Hill with additional activities and resources.
Why all this fruit and veggie talk?
They give you energy without the sugar crash. They help protect against stuff like heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. And honestly? They just make you feel good. Skin glows, mood lifts, pants fit better — what’s not to love?
So this month, eat well, move more, and get out there. Your heart, your taste buds, and your summer memories will thank you.
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2025 School Wellness Summer Symposium
What is the School Wellness Summer Symposium
SNAP-Ed New York’s School Wellness Summer Symposium is a dynamic event planned to be held on August 5 - 7, 2025, and designed to bring together (virtually) school staff and administration from across NY to inspire, educate and engage. Through live virtual activities, participants will gain knowledge, skills and abilities to start, strengthen and/or expand school wellness efforts for staff, students and families.
*CTLE's will be offered! Stay connected! Get updates when school is out by texting 89860 to get any reminders or updates.
Click here for complete information and registration!
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Summer Sun Safety Tips: Protecting Yourself While Enjoying the Sunshine
Jessica Canale, Program Leader
As the temperatures rise, we all look forward to spending more time outdoors. Whether you're hiking, playing sports, gardening, or simply relaxing at the park, it's important to remember that summer fun should always include sun safety.
We’re sharing simple sun safety tips to help you and your loved ones enjoy the season while staying protected from harmful UV rays.
Protect your skin
- Put on a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt.
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every 2 hours.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shield your face, ears, and neck.
- Seek shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is strongest.
- Wear on UV-protective sunglasses to protect your eyes.
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Make Sunscreen a Daily Habit
Even on cloudy or cooler days, UV rays can still do damage. Apply sunscreen 15–30 minutes before going outside, and don’t forget to cover overlooked areas like the ears, tops of feet, and back of your neck. Water-resistant varieties are best for beach days or workouts.
Protect Children and Seniors
Children’s skin is more sensitive to sunburn, and seniors may be more susceptible to sun damage due to medications or thinner skin. Help them apply sunscreen regularly, make sure they wear protective clothing, and encourage breaks in the shade.
Stay Hydrated
While staying safe from the sun, don’t forget to stay cool and hydrated too. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are common during hot summer days. Carry a reusable water bottle and take breaks to rest and rehydrate.
Clothing Can Be Your First Line of Defense
Dark, tightly woven fabrics and specially designed UV-protective clothing can block much of the sun’s harmful rays. If you spend much time outdoors, consider investing in sun-protective gear.
Stay Safe, Stay Active
We believe everyone should be able to enjoy the outdoors safely. Following these sun safety tips can help prevent painful sunburns, long-term skin damage, and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Have a fun, safe, and sunny summer from Family and Consumer Education!
| | Hudson Valley Fish Advisory | | |
LaQuan Rosario, Community Educator
As we head into August, the water's warmed up, and the fish are getting ready for their summer vacation. The "Summer Strike Zone" is all about finding those areas where the water's warmest and the fish are most active. Here's a link highlighting Dutchess County public fishing waters.
Click the link or the image for the download:
Dutchess County Fishing Waters
| |  | | RAPP (Relatives As Parents Program) | | |
Summer Reading
Did you know we have a variety of interesting books in our FCE Lending Library? While these resources are available for our kinship families, we are happy to share these resources with anyone interested in these titles and topics. Please let us know if you would like to borrow a book!
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Click here to download the program brochure to share today.
Click here for information about this important county resource.
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To Grandmothers House we Go and Stay- Springer and Cox
Know Your Options: Relatives Caring for Children-NYSOCFS
On My Own- Long
Grandfamilies- UCPSA
What's A Kid To Do About Child Abuse- Hittleman
Celebrating Diversity: Approaching Families Through Their Food- Ncemch
The Essential Grandparent- Carson
The Explosive Child- Greene
Grandparents as Parents- Brown
Grandparenting in a Changing World- LeShan
Intergenerational Approaches In Aging- Disch
Relatives Raising Children-Taka
| | PASE (Parent And Support Education) | |
Locations Needed!
This workshop is a free, hands-on course designed for real-life parents with real-life challenges. Whether you’re parenting a toddler, teen, or somewhere in between, this workshop delivers clear, doable communication skills that actually work.
Choose your style:
→ 5-week series for parents who want deeper connection and time to practice
→ 4-hour intensive for folks who like their insight fast and focused
Both are available in-person or virtual.
Participants get:
→Certificate of Completion
→Interactive training of parenting skills and activities to use every day!
It’s free. It’s flexible. It’s filled with parenting “hacks!”
Fall sessions booking now. Presented in a way that is specific for your population, this is perfect for parents who want better communication, stronger relationships and few meltdowns on all sides.
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We can offer this as a weekly 5-session series, a 1-day intensive and may be in-person or via Zoom.
CLICK HERE to message Heather for information and scheduling!
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Senior Wellness Tips for August
Heather Ohlson, Community Educator
August is an ideal time to focus on senior wellness, as it encourages self-care, healthy routines, and effective stress management. Here are some tips to help seniors embrace wellness and improve their overall well-being:
Source: wellsquad.com and sierraseniors.org
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Horticulture Hotline!
Every Monday & Wednesday through the summer- is the Horticulture Hotline and Diagnostic Lab featuring our Master Gardeners. Call and speak to our volunteers from 9AM-NOON to answer your gardening questions.
Have a garden pest that you need identified or a plant that doesn't look so good?
Contact the Dutchess Horticulture Hotline at (845) 677-5067
| | | | Have an event or update for the Family & Consumer Education audience you want to share? Send a response email! | | |
The Family and Consumer Education (FCE) program strives to ensure that families facing challenges in parenting, family finances, and wellness and nutrition find the resources and education they need to improve their lives.
FCE creates connections for residents with the latest, evidence-based research and practical information that can be directly applied to their day-to-day lives.
We work to strengthen individual knowledge and skills while providing community level and County wide education.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for providing equal program and employment opportunities. This program is partially funded by the County of Dutchess, Dutchess County office for the Aging, and New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Please contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension office if you have any special needs.
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Wishes would come true with you! FCE needs ongoing supplies for our parenting programs. Click here to see how you can enhance our programming today with a DONATION or sponsorship opportunity!
Need to reach a member of the team?
Jessica M Canale- Program Leader
Heather L. Ohlson, Program Educator
Francheska Kuilan, Program Educator
LaQuan Rosario, Program Educator
Click here for previous FCE Update: Newsletters!
Thanks for your support and collaboration!
Are you a collaborative program or agency that needs information shared to the FCE community? Email Heather!
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**The Family & Consumer Education Program counts entirely on grants and donations to maintain and grow the services we offer throughout Dutchess County. Click the button below to see how you can contribute to maintaining the success of these initiatives!
Your direct support: donations, sponsorship and underwriting matter!
Please help! **
| | Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for providing equal program and employment opportunities. | | | | |
