Mesa is a suburb located just east of the bustling city of Phoenix. The area attracts new residents because the hot and dry climate makes year-round activity possible. If you are looking for summer sports or recreation, the city's parks and recreation department offers a wide range of programs for adults, teens, youth and toddlers.
Get Your Feet Wet
Mesa's summer programs provide a number of aquatic activities, either individual or team-oriented. Age ranges for aquatic programs are 5 years old up to 18. Your child can join a swim team, and learn synchronized swimming, diving and water polo. Each program has an age limit and requires that the child already know how to swim. For example, children interested in the diving program must be at least 6 and be able to swim in deep water.
The city has several public pools open during the summer until mid-September. The Flow Rider at the Rhodes Aquatic Complex allows swimmers to ride a boogie board on simulated waves.
Adaptive Leisure Programs
For residents who have physical and mental challenges, the city provides a number of adaptive summer programs. Children with intellectual disabilities can participate in Camp Fiesta. The camp is divided into two sessions: a four-week course and a ten-day course. Activities your child may participate in include swimming, cooking, arts & crafts, music, creative play and sports. Other adaptive programs include a trip to the circus, a trip to watch a sporting event, adaptive swimming lessons, golf lessons, bowling lessons and bocce ball.
Youth Activity and Teen Leadership
During the hot summer months, the youth and teens of Mesa can participate in a number of programs to keep them busy. The Teen Leadership Training program gives teens an edge for the future by giving them an opportunity to help lead summer camp programs. Children in 1st through 6th grade can attend half-day or full-day programs where they'll go to the movies, do crafts, listen to guest speakers, go swimming and have theme parties. Your child can sign up for the Summer Sports Zone where she will participate in indoor and outdoor sports, including swimming at a local public pool.
Toddler and Pre-School Activities
Babies and toddlers from the age of 6 months can learn to swim in the Sea Babies, Sea Toddlers and Sea Sprites classes. Toddler classes teach safety and use music, toys and games to keep children engaged. Sea Sprites classes teach children ages 3 to 5 how to enter and exit the water independently, bobbing, back floats and learning to keep their eyes open under water. Swimming lessons for children ages 5 to 18 are available. Pre-schoolers can attend the Kids are Fantastic program, where they'll learn crafts, play games and learn social skills.
A Community Challenge
Every summer, Mesa challenges members of its community to take advantage of the city's parks and public recreation facilities. During the month of July each year, you may have a picnic in one of the city's parks, visit the Arizona Museum for Youth where you can join your kids in creating arts and crafts projects, view fine arts or watch your child role-play in the interactive Performing Arts Center. You might also take a paleontology class at the Arizona Museum of Natural History or visit the Botanical Gardens at Park of the Canals.
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