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Plans To Keep Local Students Busy This Summer
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As we near
the end of this school year and approach the beginning
of summer, many parents are contemplating ways to keep
their children busy during the break. The ideal solution
would be an environment that offers entertaining and educational
programs. Children look forward to the summer months for
fun and relaxation. However, parents understand the importance
of also keeping them physically and mentally active. Harris
County has numerous programs that serve as fantastic alternatives
to lazy summer days. Some of the programs may have fees
to attend. Please contact the individual locations for
information on costs and requirements. |
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Precinct
One Commissioner
El Franco Lee has several facilities that
offer summer activities for children. The Harris
County Aquatics Center will provide swim lessons to kids six years
and older. The class dates are June 7 – July 1 and
July 5 – July 29. The children will be able to display
the swim skills they learn at Splashdown, a friendly competition
to be held on July 30 at the Harris County Aquatics Center. |
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Alexander
Deussen Park and Challenger Seven Memorial Park both serve
as host sites for summer day-camps that provide youth groups
an opportunity to explore nature indoors and outdoors.
While indoors, the children learn about science and biology
by studying the customs, living habits and eating habits
of various insects and animals. Outdoors, the children
explore nature trails to gain an understanding of nature
and its inhabitants. These programs provide an opportunity
to interact with nature while learning about insects, snakes,
turtles, raptors, bats, alligators, crustaceans and marine
life. For more information on the programs, call 281-332-5157. |
Finnigan
Park, which includes the NFL YET (Youth Education
Town) Center, offers many fun-filled activities for youths
between
the ages of 7 to 17. The program emphasizes nutrition,
regular physical activity, leadership skills and financial
responsibility. The program also offers swimming lessons,
etiquette classes, drama productions and various games.
Call 713-678-7385 for more information.
At the Lincoln Park Community Center, the Summer Enrichment
Program offers many events to keep children busy. They
are able to participate in arts and crafts, swimming, volleyball,
kickball, educational games, table games, tennis, karate
and other activities. For more information, call 281-445-1617.
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At the end
of the summer, participants from these Precinct One programs,
as well
as children from various participating agencies located
in Harris County, will compete in the Street
Olympics.
Approximately 5,000 boys and girls, ages 6 to 15, participate
in the Street Olympics. Preliminary competitions are held
by the participating agencies in neighborhood locations
prior to the Street Olympics Summer Games Final Event.
The Summer Games consist of many different street games
and include basketball (dribble, 3-on-3 and free throw),
sprint races, jacks, kickball, hopscotch, Frisbee accuracy,
softball throw, jump rope and hula hoop. For more information
on Street Olympics, call 713-741-0851. |
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Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia’s
Precinct2gether Summer Day Camp Program offers a variety of
learning activities for students in first through eighth grade.
The program provides science, reading, math and computer classes
as part of the campers’ weekly activities. The campers
will participate in music enrichment classes and will present
a musical performance at the conclusion of camp. They will
take part in various sports activities and will compete in
a field day with campers from all Precinct2gether summer sites.
The program also provides a lunch and snack for each child
during regular camp and field trip days. |
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Campers will take
field trips to various places. Some of the trips planned
for this year include visits to the Houston Zoo, Brazos Bend
State Park, San Jacinto Monument, Battleship Texas, Moody
Gardens, SplashTown, Children's Museum of Houston and other
fun-filled locations.
The Precinct2gether
Summer Day Camp Program will be held weekdays June 14 – July 15 from 8 a.m. – 3p.m.
The camps are first come, first served. Applications are
now available. For more information on registration and
camp sites, call 281-864-9028.
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In
Precinct Four, Commissioner
Jerry Eversole offers various
programs throughout the precinct. The Magnum-Howell
Center kicks off the “Sun”tastic Summer Kid’s
Club with an ice cream and dance party on June 10. The
program runs through July 29 and is held each Thursday
(except July 1). Scheduled events include a Freedom Festival
to celebrate our country’s freedom; a magic and illusions
show; and a movie day, featuring Alvin and the Chipmunks:
The Squeakquel. Please register by calling 281-591-7830. |
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The Summer Programs
at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center begin on June 5 with a "geocaching" scavenger
hunt. Participants will be able to use GPS units (they will
need to bring their own GPS) to find various features and items
in
the park. Other planned events include taking an evening canoe
trip down Spring Creek; learning about the soldiers of the
American Revolution and watching a demonstration of the clothing
and gear
they used; participating in a program in the Redbud Hill Homestead
using hands-on activities to experience the hardships of an
earlier period and creating a homestead of their own; discovering
the
exotic wildlife found in the park and surrounding areas; visiting
a reptile open house with displays of live reptiles and amphibians
from around the world; and enjoying an evening of fishing,
building sand castles, and playing games on the beach at Jones
Park. Please
call 281-446-8588 for reservations, or visit www.hcp4.net/jones for more information. |
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Fun in the Sun Summer Kids Program
at Crosby Community Center begins June 9 and
continues through July 28. Programs will be held at 1 p.m.
on Wednesdays. Activities
include a crocodile encounter; a presentation of Jack and
the Beanstalk by Express Children’s Theatre; a puppet show
that teaches basic safety rules; a summer cool down water day,
which includes a presentation about fire safety; and an exciting
magic show presented by Harmony the Clown and her friend Abby
the Monkey. Call 281-462-0543 to register or for more information. |
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May
Community Center is having the “Fun”shine Summer Kids’ Program
on Tuesdays beginning June 8 through July 13 at 10 a.m. Kids
are invited to travel around the world via the Community Center.
Each child receives a special passport, which is stamped at
every program. Sessions will include: Blast Off – NASA
representatives will visit the center and take the kids on
a “journey” to outer space; Australia’s Outback
Adventure – Jungle Jack is back from Australia and shares
his experiences; Discover Scotland – professional storyteller
Rickey Pittman spins tales about the majestic country, its
people and culture; China: The Orient Express – the children
will hop aboard the Orient Express and travel to China and
enjoy an authentic Lion Dance performance that features drums,
cymbals and costumes; Niagra Falls – kids will be able
to slip and slide down May Center’s own Niagara Falls.
Registration is required for all programs, which begin Monday,
May 10, at 8 a.m. For more information on the program or to
register, call 281-324-3373. |
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Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens will host two children’s
summer program sessions. The first session will be held
June 28-30, and the second will take place July 26-28.
Both sessions will begin at 9 a.m. and end at noon. Each
will include the following programs: Bird Species and
Identification; Reptiles and Amphibians presentation;
and Butterflies and Dragonflies observation. Call 281-443-8731
to register or for more information.
B.F. Clark Community Building will
host its first-ever summer program. Express
Children’s Theatre will present Jack and the
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Beanstalk at 10 a.m. on June 10. The musical adaption of the classic
children’s story
will incorporate music and movement to create an enchanted
world. Advanced registration is required. For more information
or to
register, please call 281-893-3726, ext. 32. |
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From participating in recreational
sports to learning about creatures native to this area, these
programs will keep students busy and entertained during summer
vacation. Parents will be pleased with the variety of activities
available to their children. |
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"Nobody's Waterproof. Play it Safe"
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Most of us cannot imagine the summer in Harris
County without some sort of water recreation to help beat – and
even enjoy – the heat. The Memorial Day holiday weekend
marks the unofficial opening of most area swimming pools, while
nearby lakes and the Gulf are available for recreation the
year around.
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Before you take to the lake or head for the pool – whether
it's in your own back yard, a community center, or health club – it's
wise to review the safety precautions you and your family need
to use for enjoying the water and staying safe.
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If you use a boat for fishing, water-skiing, or
pleasure cruising, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers
the following principles of safe boating:
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Wearing life jackets saves lives. At the
start of the season, make sure that there is a life jacket
for everyone on the boat, that they are the correct sizes,
and that they are labeled “U.S. Coast Guard-Approved.” Then,
insist that everyone wear a life jacket every time.
Designate a driver. Sober boating
saves lives. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s “Boating
Under the Influence Initiatives” (click here),
a boat operator is likely to become impaired more quickly
than a car driver, drink for drink.
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Having alcohol-free boating is the safest
way to boat, but if you plan to include alcohol as part
of the recreation, make sure there is a period of time between the
partying and the boating (or driving home) – a minimum
of an hour per drink. Operating a boat safely is a legal – and
personal – responsibility.
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Boater
education and safe boats save lives. While it is not required
by Texas law, it is a good idea for all boat owners to
educate themselves on the skills required for safe and
courteous boating. There are a variety of boater education
courses and publications available. Knowing the legal requirements
of owning and handling a boat, understanding what to do
in an emergency, tips on choosing the right boat, and other
important information is offered at the Parks
and Wildlife Department's Web site. Another
source for boating safety tips is the "Boating Safety
Resource Center" of the U.S.
Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division. |
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Pool
Safety |
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Drowning
is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related
death among Texas children. Here are some startling statistics
from Harris
County Public Health and Environmental Services: |
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Drowning
is the leading cause of accidental injury-related death
among children ages one to four. |
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A
child can drown in the time it takes to pick up the
telephone or answer
the doorbell – drowning kills quickly and silently. |
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It takes only two
minutes under water for a child to lose consciousness. |
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Irreversible
brain damage sets in after four to six minutes under
water. |
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Most children submerged
under water for 10 minutes will die. |
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Any
amount of water that covers a child’s mouth
and nose can cause drowning. |
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The
Texas
State Child Fatality Review’s Position
Statement, “Water Safety for Children,” is
a comprehensive document containing suggestions for parents
and caretakers to keep children safe. According to their
research, the dangers of drowning change depending on the
age of the child and the regular surroundings. Young children
are at high risk for drowning when they live and play around
water. Infants are most at risk of drowning when left unsupervised – even
for seconds – in the bathtub. The greatest risk of
drowning for toddlers and young children are residential
pools, hot tubs, or water storage areas such as wells,
cisterns and stock tanks. Young teens most often drown
during water recreation such as swimming and boating. |
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But
drowning is highly preventable. Tips recommended by experts
include: |
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Learn
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and keep rescue
equipment, a telephone, and emergency phone numbers
poolside. |
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Parents
and caregivers must understand the need for
constant “touch” supervision
of children. There is no substitute for “eyes
and hands-on” supervision. |
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Never leave
a child unsupervised in or around water. |
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Do not rely on personal
flotation devices or swimming lessons alone to
protect your child. |
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If
you have a backyard pool, install childproof fencing
around the pool. |
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Keep pool gates
locked at all times. Do not leave toys in or around
the pool that could attract children. |
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Always secure the
safety cover on your spa or hot tub. A solar cover
can allow toddlers to slip into the water while the
cover appears to stay in place, hiding the child. |
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Teach
your child about pool and water safety and swimming
skills as early as possible. |
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Be
aware of all bodies or containers of water that can
pose a danger to a child. |
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Properly
install and maintain anti-entrapment drain covers. |
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Equip
pool and spa pumps with a safety vacuum release system,
an emergency sensor that shuts off the switch automatically
if the drain is blocked. |
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Replace
drain covers immediately if they are broken or damaged,
and do not use the pool or spa until they are replaced. |
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Enjoy
the water safely, and don’t forget the sunblock! |
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