Friends. Fellow chaos coordinators. Parents running on caffeine and vibes. I’ve got a big announcement:
I’ve expanded.
Not emotionally (though therapy is helping).
Not in the "I’m expecting again!" kind of way (I just had baby #5—please send snacks, not congratulations).
But yes… I’ve expanded my Macaroni KID kingdom. 👑
As of right now, I am officially the new publisher of Macaroni KID Carlisle, Boiling Springs & Shippensburg! That means more family fun, more local gems, and yes, more places to wear out your kids so bedtime isn’t a full-blown battle royale.
🌲 Wait, What’s Over There Anyway?
Oh, you mean besides rolling farmland, charming small towns, and views that belong on a postcard? I’m so glad you asked.
With this expansion, I’ll be bringing you the scoop on:
🏛 Carlisle, that historic-yet-hip town you’ve probably driven through 100 times without realizing how much fun you’re missing. Think: a walkable downtown, fantastic food, a surprisingly artsy vibe, and enough festivals to keep your calendar full year-round.
🦆 Boiling Springs, the town so charming it sounds made-up. There’s a bubbling lake, a scenic trail, and the kind of small-town magic that makes you want to grab a picnic basket and start feeding ducks in a sundress.
📚 Shippensburg, where college-town energy meets community warmth—and there’s always something happening, from family-friendly festivals to playgrounds that go above and beyond.
Plus hidden gems like: 🍎 The apple orchards of Biglerville
🌊 Laurel Lake’s beachy fun
🦴 Little Buffalo’s little-known fossil pit
🎢 And Fields of Adventure’s outdoor zip line (yes, ZIP-LINING—just a short drive from Mechanicsburg!)
So whether you’re a proud West Shore local, a Harrisburg adventurer, or an East Shore explorer who isn’t afraid to cross the river (cue dramatic music), this is your official invitation to come along for the ride.
💌 Let’s Talk Newsletters
Now, before you panic—you are NOT automatically subscribed to the Carlisle/Boiling Springs/Shippensburg newsletter.
This is your chance to opt in.
And, friends… I really hope you do.
Because while the Harrisburg & West Shore newsletter will still keep delivering the goods, this new edition opens up a whole other world of fun—especially if you like hidden gems, small-town events, and lakeside adventures that make you feel like you’re on vacation (even if you still had to pack 3 snack bags and find someone’s left shoe before leaving the house).
👉 Click here to subscribe to the Carlisle edition
It’s totally free, completely useful, and guaranteed to make you say at least once a week, “Wow, I had no idea that was even a thing.”
💁♀️ A Bit About Me
If you’re new here—hi! I’m Rachael.
I’m a writer, a homeschooler, and a mom of five (yes, five) kids who are the reason my floors are never clean, my heart is always full, and my thighs are, well, expanding right alongside my coverage area.
I started Macaroni KID Harrisburg & West Shore because I wanted to help families like mine find the fun, build community, and make memories without having to scroll Instagram for 45 minutes every weekend.
And now I get to do that across an even bigger slice of Pennsylvania.
💌 TL;DR:
✨ I now publish Macaroni KID for Carlisle, Boiling Springs & Shippensburg.
📬 You’re not subscribed automatically—but I hope you’ll choose to subscribe here 👉 carlisle.macaronikid.com/subscribe
🧭 I’ll help you discover so many amazing places just a hop, skip, and a river away.
😅 And yes, my pants are snug, but my heart is full.
Thanks for growing with me, adventuring with me, and building this beautiful village one newsletter at a time.
With gratitude, granola bars, and probably a forgotten sippy cup in the van,
Rachael Benion
Publisher, Macaroni KID Harrisburg & West Shore — and now Carlisle, Boiling Springs & Shippensburg
📫 Subscribe to the new edition here!
📷 Follow the chaos on social, or say hi if you see me chasing kids up a hill near Laurel Lake.
#MacaroniKID #CrossTheRiverClub #CarlisleToHarrisburgAndBack #MacKidExpansion #LaurelLakeLife #ZiplineAdventures #MacaroniVillageGrowing #MoreFunMoreSnacks
When visiting events and local businesses, be sure to tell them Macaroni KID sent you... and don't forget to tell all your friends!
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