Where to swim in Paris this summer

From the Mommy Desk….

The Paris Aquatic Center

There is just no doubt that summertime means swimming time, especially here in Texas.  There are several private and public swimming pools in Paris where your kids can swim (and take lessons).

First, the City of Paris public pool, officially known as Paris Aquatic Center (but everyone calls it the “city pool”), located off Loop 286 at Clement Road.  The pool is open every day of the week (10a.m.-8p.m., Monday-Saturday; Friday nights 8-10p.m. are family nights; and Sunday 1p.m.-8p.m.).

Daily admission is only $3 per person (kids 6 and younger get in free with a paying adult and seniors 65 and older get in free with a paying guest).  Also available are season passes ($50 for an individual); family passes ($100 for family in the same house, up to 4 members, each additional member is $20); and a splash pass ($20 for 10 visits).

Group swim is available by reservation – a group of 20 or more gain admission at a special rate of $2 per person.  They also offer swim lessons (eight sessions available) throughout the day at different times – these classes are taught by American Red Cross certified instructors and are $30 per session or $25 for multiple sessions.  Water exercise classes are also available Monday-Friday at 10a.m. and 5:30p.m. – fee is $5 per class.  They also offer private and semi-private parties every night except Fridays from 8-10p.m. For more information, call 903.905.2492.

Another option for aquatic relief is the Dolphin Swim Club, located at 435 33^rd Street SE, which is also open every day of the week throughout the summer months.  This members-only club has an outdoor pool, locker rooms and also offers swim lessons.

Finally, the Paris Golf and Country Club, located 3 miles outside the City of Paris on FM 195, also has an outdoor pool amidst the 18-hole golf course.  This club is members-only, but a wide variety of memberships (golf and social) are available. To find out more about memberships, call Christina O’Donnell, membership director at 903.785.1755 ext. 25 or email Membershippgcc@gmail.com.

Keep the kids cool and active by swimming this summer. And don’t forget the sunscreen!

From one Mommy to Another,

Jenny Wilson

Jenny Wilson is a mother of three. She teaches a Mommy & Me class at Central Presbyterian Day School, serves on the PCT Board and Children’s Theatre Advisory Committee, the CAC board, the Parent Association Boards of Aikin, Crockett and PJH and was recently elected to the Paris ISD School Board of Trustees.  Mrs. Wilson is a Sunday school teacher at Holy Cross Episcopal Church.  She also is a certified yoga instructor, Jazzercise instructor and marketing consultant.

Summer Camps, Part 1

From the mommy desk…

Well, we are just a few days into summer and already the kids are saying “I’m bored.” Luckily, there are a lot of camps going on in Paris for your kids to choose from.

For baseball players, North Lamar is hosting a camp that begins June 17 at the high school baseball field. It is open to players from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.  Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten will run June 17-18 from 9-11am and the cost is $35. For first and second graders, the camp is scheduled for noon-2pm  June 17-18 and the cost is $45. Third-fifth grade campers will attend session  June 19-20 from 8-11am, again with a cost of $45. Finally, sixth-eighth grade camp will be held June 19-20 from noon- 3pm, and the cost is $45.   Contact Scott Igleheart at 903.517.6180 for more information.

Paris High School is also offering baseball camps. The Paris Wildcat Baseball Camp begins June 24 and is for players age 6 through incoming ninth graders.  The sessions for 6 to 10-year-olds will be from 10am-noon June 24-25. The sessions for 11-year-olds through incoming freshmen will be June 26-27 from 10am-noon.  The cost for each session is $40.  For more information, call Bill Sikes at 903.737.7427 or 903.517.6828.

Next, for volleyball players, Paris High School will host a volleyball camp June 17-20 at the Paris High gym for players in the third grade through incoming freshmen.  The session for third through sixth graders is 9-11am and costs $40. The sessions for seventh graders through incoming freshmen is noon-4pm and costs $50. For more information, email Coach Brittany Maness at bmaness@parisisd.net.

North Lamar’s Pantherette Volleyball camp is July 15-18, beginning with the session for fourth through sixth graders from noon-2pm July 15-16, with a fee of $30. Seventh grade camp is July 15-18 from 8-11am with a fee of $80, and the eighth and ninth graders’ session is July 15-18 from 8am-2pm with a fee of $80.  For more information, contact Kathy Barker at kbarker@northlamar.net, or register online at www.northlamar.net.

Prairiland is also having a volleyball camp for incoming fifth-ninth graders June 24-26. The camp is 9am-noon at the Prairiland High School gym and costs $30. Contact Coach Brandon Oats at 903.652.5681 for more information.

A final volleyball camp will be hosted by PJC July 15-18. Girls in fourth-eighth grade attend from 9am to noon with a fee of $70; all high school girls will practice from 1-6pm, with a $90 fee. For more information, call 903.782.0218 or email jmaness@parispjc.edu.

For basketballers, the North Lamar Pantherette Basketball Camp is June 17-20 at the high school gym. Fourth-sixth grade girls attend from 8:30-11:30am; seventh-ninth grade girls attend noon-3pm. The fee for either session is $50 and includes either a T-shirt or camp basketball. Contact Jeri Wooldridge at jwooldridge@northlamar.net .

The PJC Dragon basketball camp will take place June 17-21 and is for K-ninth grade boys. The camp will be in session from 9am-3pm, Monday – Thursday and 9am-noon on Friday. Camp includes lunch Monday –Thursday. The Camp fee is $120, and those who register prior to opening day will receive a T-shirt and basketball. Call 903.782.0218 or 903.782.0395 for more information.

Finally, soccer … The North Lamar Soccer camp for boys and girls K-sixth grade is June 24-27 from 1-4pm at the North Lamar practice fields.  Cost for camp is $40 per camper and includes a T-shirt. Call 903.737.2003, ext. 1701 for more information.

Okay, that should wear them out. Later in the week I’ll tell you about more camps that might not be quite so tiring.

From one Mommy to another,

Jenny Wilson

Movies in the Park: a Paris Must-do

Movies will be screened at the Bywaters Park peristyle, shown here.

From the mommy desk…

“Movies in the Park” is a wonderful summer tradition that your entire family will enjoy, picnicking during a screening of a different film every Thursday night (with the exception of July 4– that week’s movie will be shown on Friday) during June and July in Bywaters Park.

This summer’s line-up is as follows: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (June 6); Honey I Shrunk the Kids (June 13); The Hunger Games (June 20); Despicable Me (June 27); Captain America (Friday, July 5); It Happened One Night (July 11); Twilight (July 18); and Ratatouille (July 25).

Reels start turning around 8:30 pm with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Community members and friends are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the   games set out for children, as well as the concession stand, which is run by the Paris Main Street Organization. All proceeds from the sales of concessions support the Downtown Building Improvement Grant Fund. This summer viewers can nosh on snow cones, cotton candy, provided by Paris Baby, and iced coffee from That Guy’s Coffee during shows.

Moviegoers are encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and coolers. No smoking or alcohol consumption is allowed in the park.

For more information or to get weather cancellation updates, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/ParisMoviesInThePark.

From one mommy to another,

Jenny Wilson

Jenny Wilson is a mother of three. She teaches a Mommy & Me class at Central Presbyterian Day School, serves on the PCT Board and Children’s Theatre Advisory Committee, the CAC board, the Parent Association Boards of Aikin Elementary and PJH, and is a member of the Paris ISD School Board of Trustees.  Mrs. Wilson is a Sunday school teacher at Holy Cross Episcopal Church.  She also is a certified yoga instructor,  and teaches yoga classes 3 days a week.

Music Theatre Dance Workshop with Chet Norment

From the Mommy Desk…

Calling all kids who have dreams of Broadway – on Saturday June 1st, 2pm-6pm, Chet Norment will be in town to lead a Music Theatre Dance Workshop at the Paris Community Theatre.

This 4 hour intensive workshop for teens (minimum age – going into 7^th grade next fall) will focus on beginning jazz dance technique. Students will learn how to properly warm-up, stretch, and execute Broadway-style of movement. The workshop will culminate with students learning original Broadway choreography. All levels welcome!

Chet Norment’s professional credits include Hairspray, Legally Blonde, 9 to 5: The Musical, Fiddler on the Roof, Crazy for You, Singin’ in the Rain, and the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He has danced for recording artists Kelly Clarkson and Deborah Cox and recently appeared in the film Right on Sunset. Chet received his training at Elon University, Howard Fine Acting Studio, and the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, CA.

The workshop will be held at the Paris Community Theatre as part of the PCT Children & Teen Theatre Summer workshop series, and the cost is $40.  To register: call the Theatre box office 1-5pm weekdays at 903-784-0259 or email pct@1starnet.com.

From one mommy to another,

Jenny Wilson

Jenny Wilson is a mother of three. She teaches a Mommy & Me class at Central Presbyterian Day School, serves on the PCT Board and Children’s Theatre Advisory Committee, the CAC board, the Parent Association Boards of Aikin Elementary and PJH, and is a member of the Paris ISD School Board of Trustees.  Mrs. Wilson is a Sunday school teacher at Holy Cross Episcopal Church.  She is a certified yoga instructor, and teaches yoga classes 3 days a week.

Water Safety

From the Mommy Desk….

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend – the “unofficial” start of summer. Chances are as the temperatures begin to climb, the kids will want to jump in the pool, pond, or lake to cool off. I don’t want to scare you (well, a little) but here are the important statistics to know when it comes to kids and water:

• In 2004, of all children 1-4 years old who died, 26% died from drowning (CDC 2006). Fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years (CDC 2005)       U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• It is estimated that for each drowning death, there are 1 to 4 nonfatal submersions serious enough to result in hospitalization. Children who still require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the time they arrive at the emergency department have a poor prognosis, with at least half of survivors suffering significant neurologic impairment.            American Academy of Pediatrics

• 19% of drowning deaths involving children occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present.                            Drowning Prevention Foundation

• A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the death of a child age 4 and under.           Orange County California Fire Authority

• An estimated 5,000 children ages 14 and under are hospitalized due to unintentional drowning-related incidents each year; 15 percent die in the hospital and as many as 20 percent suffer severe, permanent neurological disability.         National Safety Council

• Of all preschoolers who drown, 70 percent are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning and 75 percent are missing from sight for five minutes or less.     Orange County, CA, Fire Authority

So, now that I have your attention, I’d like to give some water safety tips. If you follow my column regularly, you’ll notice that I run this every spring, because I think it cannot be shared enough. So I’ll share (again) some water safety tips with you:

Water Safety Tips from our friends at the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF)

• Teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.
• Always brief babysitters on water safety, emphasizing the need for constant supervision.
• Appoint a “designated watcher” to monitor children during social gatherings at or near pools.
• Equip doors and windows that exit to a pool area with alarms.
• Install a poolside phone, preferably a cordless model, with emergency numbers programmed into speed-dial.
• Post CPR instructions and learn the procedures.
• Keep rescue equipment poolside. Don’t wait for the paramedics to arrive because you will lose valuable life-saving seconds. Four to six minutes without oxygen can cause permanent brain damage or death.
• Keep a first aid kit at poolside.
• Install four-sided isolation fencing, at least five feet high, equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, that completely surrounds the pool and prevents direct access from the house and yard.
• Maintain constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area. If a child is missing, check the pool first; seconds count in preventing death or disability.
• Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Never allow a young child in a pool without an adult.
• Don’t leave objects such as toys that might attract a child in the pool and pool area.
• Never prop the gate to a pool area open.
• Don’t rely on swimming lessons, life preservers, or other equipment to make a child “water safe.”
• Never assume someone else is watching a child in a pool area.
• Don’t leave chairs or other items of furniture where a child could use them to climb into a fenced pool area.
• Don’t think you’ll hear a child who’s in trouble in the water; child drowning is a silent death, with no splashing to alert anyone that the child is in trouble

Water Safety Tips from the Pool Safely “Simple Steps Save Lives” Program:

1. Staying close, being alert and watching children in and around the pool

• Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water
• Teach children basic water safety tips
• Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
• Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa
• If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
• Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors

2.  Learning and practicing water safety skills

• Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim
• Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly
• Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency

3.  Having appropriate equipment for your pool or spa

• Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.
• Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
• If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install door alarms and always use them. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas.
• Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water
• Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers, and ask your pool service provider if you do not know
• Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
• Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm

Find more tips for pool & spa owners at poolsafely.gov.

From one Mommy to Another,

Jenny Wilson

Jenny Wilson is a mother of three. She teaches a Mommy & Me class at Central Presbyterian Day School, serves on the PCT Board and Children’s Theatre Advisory Committee, the CAC board, the Parent Association Boards of Aikin Elementary and PJH, and is a member of the Paris ISD School Board of Trustees.  Mrs. Wilson is a Sunday school teacher at Holy Cross Episcopal Church.  She also is a certified yoga instructor,  and teaches yoga classes 3 days a week.