You can choose to swim healthy! Each of us has the power to help keep germs out of the water in the places where we choose to swim. Remember, chlorine and other disinfectants don’t kill germs instantly. In addition, the mixing of chlorine with sweat, urine and other matter uses up a pool’s chlorine, reducing its effectiveness against new invaders.

We all share the water we swim in, and we all need to do our part to help keep ourselves, our families and our friends healthy. To help protect yourself and others from germs, here are a few easy and effective steps all swimmers can take to swim healthy:

• Shower with soap before you start swimming
• Take bathroom breaks every 60 minutes
• Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing a diaper
• Don’t swallow the water you swim in
• Don’t swim when you have intestinal or gastric problems

Parents of young children should take extra precautions, including frequent bathroom breaks for kids, checking diapers every 30 minutes and changing diapers in the designated diaper-changing area, not at poolside. Think healthy. Swim healthy. Be healthy!

Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park & Recreation Month. To commemorate the month, we invite you to share your outdoor experiences with us all month long! This year, there are more ways to win with Pearland Parks & Recreation than ever before! Tell Us Why You ♥ Your Park & Recreation, and you could be winning big this month!

• July Corks & Canvas – Come by the Recreation Center & Natatorium on Saturday, July 13 at 5 p.m. as we team up with the Pearland Arts League to showcase works of art by local artists.  In recognition of National Park and Recreation Month, this month’s theme will reflect parks, recreation and nature. Join us and try your hand at guessing which park or recreation facility is depicted in the artists’ works. Prizes will be awarded to those who correctly identify the most locations.
• “Park Your Eyes” Picture Challenge – Something’s gone missing in our parks and it’s up to you to tell us what’s different! We’ve digitally altered pictures of five of our park locations and removed certain key items and fixtures. Use your smartphone to download the pics or pick up a copy of the pictures at one of our facilities, then venture out to the parks to compare to the real thing! Prizes will be awarded to selected winners from among all complete and correct entries! You could win up to $100 in Raising Cane’s gift cards!
• “I Love My Park & Recreation” Calendar Challenge – During the month of July, we’ve uncovered 31 days of fun family-friendly activities, exercises and park locations for you to visit. Simply visit our website to download your “I Love My Park & Recreation” calendar or pick up a free copy at any one of our facilities and use it to keep track of your family’s activities. For each recommended activity that you complete, you’ll be entered into a weekly drawing for a $25 Raising Cane’s gift card! You can enter daily! Each week, a new drawing will take place and new winners will be chosen. So, you can win up to $125 in Raising Cane’s cards to keep or to share!

The X-Treme Heat Girls Basketball Camp is dedicated to providing opportunities to help develop and enhance the skills of the average female player. Participation in the camp will improve the mental and physical skills of all participants. X-Treme Heat Sports seeks to assist young athletes who aspire to take their athletic abilities to the next level. The program cost is $100 per child, ages 5 to 18 years. The camp will be held at Pearland Junior High South from July 25 to 28. Register online at the X-Treme Heat website or contact LaQuita Thompson at 832.407.1082.