The Houston Parks and Recreation Department kicks off the 2014 summer season this weekend with activities and classes for all ages and abilities.
“We’re excited that summer is here. It’s one of our busiest seasons,” said Joe Turner, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department. “We welcome visitors to our 360 plus parks and encourage them to check out H.P.A.R.D.’s 2014 summer catalog to see all the programs we have to offer during the summer.”
H.P.A.R.D.’s 2014 Summer Activities and Class Catalog offers a complete list of summer programming offered by the department with dates, fees and information numbers for the public to download. The catalog is available for download at www.houstonparks.org.
Some activities and programs listed in the catalog and offered by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department this summer include:
Pools:
Offers:
37 pool sites provide cool relief from Houston’s heat. Swim classes are also offered.
Fee: Free
Ages:
Open to all ages. Youth under 8 years of age must be accompanied by parent/guardian
Locations:
www.houstonparks.org
Days:
May 31 – August 17; Tuesday – Sunday (closed on Mondays)
August 18 – Sept 1; Saturday and Sunday only (closed Mon – Fri)
Learn to Swim – H2O Safe
Offers:
Three levels of Swim Instruction at 33 pool sites across the city. Registration is required. Thirty (30) minute classes are offered between 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Schedules vary by site.
Fee: Free
Ages: 6-13
Locations: www.houstonparks.org
Summer Food Service Program
Offers:
Lunches and snacks at over 400 sites across the city for children ages 1 – 18 to replace meals provided during the school year. No registration is required. H.P.A.R.D. has sponsored this program since 1980.
Fee: FREE
Ages: 1-18
Locations: Over 400 sites across Houston and Harris County
Days: June 2 – Aug 15 (Mon – Fri only)
Time: Lunch 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Snack 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Information:
2-1-1 (give operator your zip code for closest site to you)
Summer Enrichment Program
Offers:
A day camp-style program for youth ages 6 – 13. The program operates under “Texas Standards of Care” as defined by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Activities include crafts, nutrition education, fitness, track and field, junior golf, nature exploration, recycling awareness, hiking and fishing excursions, and computer literacy.
Fee: Tuition is $30 per week per child
Ages: 6-13
Locations: 49 H.P.A.R.D. sites across Houston
Days: June 2 – Aug 8 (Mon – Fri only)
Time:
8:00 am – 6:00 pm (parents responsible for transportation to and from site)
Registration: Online Only www.houstonparks.org
Golf Courses
Offers:
7 Locations across the city. A wide variety of amenities ensure that H.P.A.R.D. golf courses offer something for everyone at all skill levels. All sites are non-metal spike courses.
Fees:
Vary; consult website for each golf course www.houstonparks.org
Locations: www.houstonparks.org
Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Offers:
4,786.6 acres of wooded parkland, approximately 30 minutes north of downtown Houston off of Highway 59 near the town of New Caney. It is the only park in the H.P.A.R.D. system where overnight camping is available. Cabins (both lakeside and wooded sites), lakeside tent platforms, screen shelters, backpack campsites, and dining hall are available for rental. Activities include hiking and biking on 12 miles of hike and bike trails, kayaking on tree-lined creeks, and horseback riding on 8 miles of equestrian trails. (Bring your own bikes, watercraft, and horses).
Fee: $3.00 daily admission fee; other fees apply and vary depending on cabin rental.
Hershey Track & Field
Offers:
A FREE exciting track & field event for children ages 6 – 14. The program is open to all track & field clubs and school team members and individuals, and no experience is necessary. The meet takes place from 9:00 – 2:00 June 10 and July 9 at the Barnett Sports Complex, and features dashes, runs, relays, broad jumps, and softball throw. The Jacob & Therese Hershey Foundation is a partial sponsor for the event.
Fee: Free
Registration:
May 2 – July 3 (ongoing through those time periods)
Meets/Ages: June 10 (ages 9-14) and July 9 (ages 6 – 14)
Houston Teens Outside With Nature (HTOWN)
Offers:
A FREE year-round program that offers youth ages 14 – 18 opportunities to
build confidence and self-esteem through mentoring and H.P.A.R.D. programs and
special events. Activities include community and volunteer projects, teen
forums and workshops, field trips and tours, hands-on outdoor activities, and sports.
Fee: Free
Registration: Ongoing
Ages: 14-18
Locations: H.P.A.R.D. Community Centers
Opening Doors Teen Mentoring Workshop
Offers:
Youth ages 14 – 18 have the opportunity to perform community service during the summer. Teens develop character and self-worth and prepare for the job market with interview and resume training. They take part in community projects, field trips, workshops, and a team-building camping experience at Lake Houston Wilderness Park. The 8-week summer program meets at the Judson Robinson, Jr., Community Center.
Fee: $30 per week, (Monday – Thursday only)
Ages: 14-18
Location:
Judson Robinson, Jr., Community Center, 2020 Hermann Drive
Teen Adventure Caravan
Offers:
Programs, field trips, mentoring, and special teen events for youth Ages 14 – 18 at
H.P.A.R.D. community centers across town. Activities include motivational speakers, essay and talent competitions, nature and camping activities, and college campus tours.
Fee: Free
Ages: 14-18
Locations:
Select H.P.A.R.D. Community Centers (call for Locations)
Athletes Seeking Knowledge
Offers: FREE educational support, resources, and scholarship opportunities to youth
Ages: 13 – 18 in H.P.A.R.D.’s Summer Enrichment or other recreational programs.
Fee: Free
Ages: 13 – 18
Locations:
H.P.A.R.D. Community Centers (call for Locations)
D-Tag Tattoo Removal
Offers: Tattoo removal service upon completion of 6 hours of community service. D-Tag
is co-sponsored by the Harris County Medical Society.
Ages: Young people 10 – 24
Fee: Free with completion of 6 hours of community service to be performed prior to tattoo
removal procedure
Locations:
Judson Robinson, Jr., Community Center, 2020 Hermann Drive
Summer Youth Tennis
Offers:
Through a partnership with the Houston Tennis Association, Inc/NJTL, tennis lessons for children teach them the fundamentals of the game of tennis along with invaluable life skills. Summer classes meet in the morning or afternoon, and no pre-registration is required, although class enrollment closes 2 weeks after classes start.
Fee: Free
Ages: 4 – 18
Locations: 37 H.P.A.R.D. tennis courts across Houston Area
Skateparks
Offers: 5 Above ground skatepark sites across the city, and 1 in-ground skatepark, the Lee & Joe Jamail Skatepark for skateboarders to use.
Fee: Free
Ages: 6 – Up
Locations: www.houstonparks.org