No excuse for being bored this summer
Mary Henkel Judson

This song has been sung here before, but if you missed it, here's another verse.

The city's Parks and Recreation Department does an incredible job of offering quality programs year round that appeal to both permanent residents and visitors.

The summer programs are an excellent example of meeting the needs of the community - and we are a diverse community of fulltime residents, part-time residents and long and short-term visitors.

The programming offered in the winter months wears me out just reading about it.

The summer offerings are dynamic and wide-ranging.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: If you're bored in Port Aransas this summer, check your pulse.

Imagine learning to sail in the municipal swimming pool. Imagine improving upon those skills in the city marina. If the outdoors isn't your thing, and science pulls your string, a mad scientist workshop should fill the bill.

In one of the greatest examples of letting kids be kids, another offering is a "hooligan" workshop to learn rubber band shooting, water balloon tossing and more. If you think this is a course in Juvenile Delinquents 101, think again. Take enough fun out of kids' lives and you're sure to have a certified juvenile delinquent.

Cooking, cupcake decorating, sand sculpture lessons, swimming lessons and a gym open to all kinds of athletic endeavors also are on the summer agenda.

The city, thanks to support from the Port Aransas Boatmen, Inc., also offers a free summer reading program.

Cost for these activities runs from minimal to free.

The city's investment in wholesome activities to occupy kids whose summertime boredom might lead to trouble is a wise one indeed.

Even if you don't have kids, or if your kids are too young or too old for the summer programs, you can appreciate the programs that will make a big difference in the lives of our young people - our future.

Many individuals are involved in making these programs possible, but high on the list are Parks and Recreation Department director Gary Mysorski and assistant director Rachael King. The support staff provides invaluable support.

These are motivated, dedicated individuals who are making a difference, and a good one, in Port Aransas.