The Rec Report – April 2014 – Pine Hollow HOA Homeowners of Pearland, TX

Welcome to Spring! A lot of things in Pearland are looking fresh and new this time of year, but the outdoors isn’t the only place to find a springtime makeover! In addition to the new updated look of the Rec Report, the City of Pearland’s new website went live just in time for Spring, and Parks & Recreation will soon transition from our old site to the new one as well! But don’t worry – You won’t have to hunt to find us! We’re staying right where we belong, at pearlandparks.com. Or visit us on our Facebook page, our Twitter feed or by calling the Parks & Recreation Office at 281.412.8900.

Calling All Campers! Get Your Summer Camp Info Here!

Kick your Summer planning into high gear by enrolling your children in one of our many summer camps, designed to develop minds, bodies, teamwork and talent! Our Camp KIA (Kids In Action), for ages 6 to 10, and Camp Mahalo, for ages 11 to 14, are jam-packed with activities, games, crafts, field trips and pool days. This summer, the RCN will also hostCamp Einstein: a hands-on/minds-on enrichment experience with a focus on science and technology! Have a budding young architect at home? Then try out one of the LEGO building camps from Fastforward Kids! Have a Young Adult fiction fan into the Hunger Games or Divergent? Enroll them in the unique and challenging “Survival Tactics” camp from Fastforward Kids (for ages 8 to 12). Or start training your future Olympian with Camp GymTastic! View all of our summer camp offerings by picking up a copy of our Summer Leisure Guide, available online and in our facilities the week of April 21!

Lift Up Your Voice at Let Freedom Sing!

Pearland Parks & Recreation announces its 8th annual “Let Freedom Sing” talent search, a singing competition to find the two most talented vocal performers in Pearland. Auditions will be held at Pearland Town Center pavilion on Saturday, April 12. Registration and check in will occur at 1 p.m., with live auditions beginning promptly at 2 p.m.

The top two singers will be selected to perform the National Anthem and God Bless America at the city-wide July 4th Celebration of Freedom. Adult competitors (ages 15 and up) will sing our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” while Youth competitors (ages 8 to 14) will perform “God Bless America.” A panel of judges will select the eight finalists who will go on to perform each week during Summerfest, Pearland Parks & Recreation’s summer concert series held every Friday during May and June in Southdown Park from 7 to 9 p.m. Auditions are FREE, so you have nothing to lose…except your shot at stardom if you don’t audition! For more information on Let Freedom Sing, including registration details, please visit our website.

Pearland’s One & Only Easter Egg Dive!

Children will splash around for eggs at our Easter Egg Dive at the Pearland Natatorium from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 19! Floating eggs will fill the pool and prizes will be given, based on how many eggs each child collects. Everyone receives a prize at our Easter Egg Dive! Children will be divided into age groups and parent participation is required for those children who have not yet completed a Level 3 swim certificate through the Red Cross. Available space is limited so please register today! This event is FREE for members of the Recreation Center & Natatorium, and $10 for non-members. To register, please call 281.412.8900.

Mini-Triathlon at the RCN! Swim! Bike! Run!

Triathlons just got a whole lot easier at the RCN! Come and join us in our fun-filled mini-triathlon on Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. You’ll find everything that a real triathlon offers, but miniaturized to let anyone participate. Individuals will complete a 300 yard swim, 5 mile spin bike ride and a 1 mile run. The top overall performers will receive awards. Registration is open until the day prior to the event. However, space is limited so register today and remember – the first 50 participants receive a free t-shirt! Swim! Bike! Run!

Spring Tennis Lessons with Eddie’s Tennis Academy

Tennis is an ideal sport for players of all ages. Regardless of your skill level, Eddie’s Tennis Academy has a program that will meet your needs. Players will learn the fundamentals of the game including proper racquet grip, stance, forehand, backhand, serving and the rules of the game. Players ages 4 to 6 will participate in the “Tiny Tots” program, ages 7 to 10 will participate in the “Quick Start” program, while players ages 11 to 14 will participate in the “Futures” program. Players are asked to bring their racquets and a desire to learn. Balls are provided. Classes are held at the Centennial Park tennis courts on Mondays and Thursdays for five weeks (11 lessons). Registration for Spring Session 3 lessons concludes on April 18, with lessons beginning the week of April 21. The cost is $140 for residents, $170 for non-residents. For more information, please contact Chris Warnick, Assistant Athletic Coordinator, at 281.412.8905. To register, search Barcodes 19282 (Tiny Tots), 19285 (Quick Start) and 19288(Futures).

Paint Happy Little Trees…and a Lot More!

Coming in Fall of 2014 – Pearland Parks & Recreation will present “Learn to Paint” – a 6-week beginner level series of one-hour classes designed to teach painting novices in a fun, stress-free environment. Each class will focus on a different brush stroke. By the end of the course, you will be able to implement all of your acquired skills to create a floral design on the surface of your choosing. This class is perfect for students who have never painted…and those whole think they cannot paint! You’ll be pleasantly surprised just how quickly you will learn how to paint professional looking flowers, leaves, trees and more. For more details on this upcoming course series, please contact Kendrick Gray, Recreation Specialist, at 281.412.8915.

Infant Aquatics Now Offered at the Natatorium

Infant Aquatics instructor Melissa Stoll is now teaching her incredible infant aquatics course right here at the Pearland Natatorium! We’re excited to be one of the few places that are home to this unique, awe-inspiring and invaluable training! Melissa is teaching babies and toddlers life-saving swim skills, instructing children ages 6 months to 6 years how to stay safe and how to love the water. For more information on Infant Aquatics, please contact Melissa at 832.302.7364. To view a thought-provoking video about Infant Aquatics, please click here.

Summer Adult Athletic Leagues

Pearland Parks & Recreation offers adult athletic leagues in men’s and co-ed softball, co-ed volleyball, men’s basketball, adult tennis and co-ed kickball. Registration for all summer adult leagues begins May 12 and ends June 5. Learn more by visiting our website or call 281.412.8900.

Have you been to cityofpearland.com recently? If not, you’re in for a surprise! With a new look, better access to information and newly-designed features, there’s more to see than ever before! On April 17, our existing website at pearlandparks.com will transition over to our newdepartmental page on the City’s new website. But don’t worry! Surfing to pearlandparks.com after April 17 will automatically redirect you to our new page, and we’ll continue to be your online leader in providing quality services that connect the community through people, parks and programs!