The Whitesboro Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) announces its 2026 summer lineup. The schedule is loaded with opportunities for day camps, sports and fun. There is an activity for everyone in the family. Registration began online on Friday, May 1 for summer camps, pool rentals and pool passes. Group swim lesson registration will begin in person at the Community Center on May 1.
Eight different day camps will be conducted this summer. Most camps will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning June 1. There will be one three-day camp during the week preceding July 4.
Each camp will be organized around a central theme with corresponding arts and craft projects, games and snacks each day. All summer camps are free. Participants are invited to a swim party each week on Fridays. There is a total of eight camps from which to choose, and the summer camp schedule ends on July 31. Camp themes include the following: Polar Pals, Art Week (two different weeks), Carnival, Seuss on the Loose, Dino-mite, Once Upon a Summer (Princesses) and Welcome to the Jungle. Enrollment in each camp is limited, so registration is necessary; in order to maximize participation opportunities, campers may choose a maximum of two camps for the summer. Registration for camps begins at 8 a.m. on May 1, and camps fill up quickly. All camp registrations will be on the department’s new online platform, Whitesboro.recdesk.com. Those interested are encouraged to visit the platform soon and create a member account and add family members; in doing so, registering for camps on May 1 will be smoother.
The Department is hosting a new program this summer with Drama Kids International. Two opportunities will be available during the week of July 6 – 11. Two half-day camps are available: Whodunit Mystery from 9 a.m. to noon and Pirates and Mermaids from 1 to 4 p.m.
Participants may also register for the full-day camp for both of these options from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information and registration options can be found at Dramakids.com/tx8.
Diane Fielding will conduct Water Aerobic classes at the Whitesboro Swimming Pool. Classes will be $4 each, or a monthly unlimited registration for $40. Ladies’ shallow water classes will be on Monday and Thursday evenings, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; a co-ed deep water class will be held on the same evenings, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Morning classes will be held Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7:15-8:15 a.m. Classes will begin on Monday, June 1.
Swim lessons will be offered at the Whitesboro Swimming Pool beginning June 8. Group classes for children ages 4 and older are held Monday through Thursday mornings for two-week sessions.
Class times are 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. An evening session, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. will be conducted for those that are unable to attend morning classes. This will be conducted during the Session 1 schedule. The cost is $50 per session. A schedule can be found on the PARD website.
Private lessons are also available for all ages. Registration for group swim lessons begins in person on May 1 at the Community Center. Registrations will continue at the PARD office until the pool opens on May 23. Call the pool at 903.564.3039 after May 25 in order to arrange private lessons.
Karate classes will continue through the summer with instructor Alinda Maxwell of Maxwell’s Tae Kwon Do. Classes are held on Tuesdays beginning at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Classes for students ages 5 years to adult focus on self-discipline, self-confidence, self-defense and fitness enhancement.
The cost of the classes is $35 per month. The first class is free to try. Register with [email protected]
For senior citizens that love to dance or just want to socialize, there are several opportunities during each month to participate. Seniors gather on Thursday afternoons for dominoes, cards and games. This free game time is held each Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. and no registration is required.
Dances for seniors are also held on the third Friday evening of each month. Evening dances are from 7 to 10 p.m., and there is a nominal fee to attend. Dates for summer dances will be June 19, July 17 and August 21.
The Jimmie O. Rector Community Center has rooms of various sizes that are available to rent for family reunions, parties, meetings or classes. The Whitesboro Swimming Pool is also available for rental on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. The fee is $200 for two hours for Whitesboro residents or $250 for non-residents; this fee includes the cost of lifeguards. The PARD will begin scheduling pool rentals online at Whitesboro.recdesk.com at 8 a.m. on May 1. Park facilities are also available to reserve for special events at no charge on the RecDesk platform.
More info about each of these programs and other PARD schedules and facilities may be found on the PARD website, www.whitesboro.org/pard. Interested parties may also call the PARD office at 903.564.5964.
Source: Freepik.com