HIP, HIP HURRAY for summer!

CULTURE CLUB

A fun guide to Taylor

Swoosh! This year is going by fast and school is nearly over. The kids need something to do this summer, and it would be ideal if it were inexpensive.

From Taylor’s parks to its library to a new theater camp, families will find free activities in June and July. A couple of art camps round out the offering, keeping the kids busy while the mercury climbs.

PARKS AND REC: JUNE FREE SPORTS CLINICS

Taylor’s Parks and Recreation Department will host free sports clinics and events during the break from classes.

School-age kids can join in on the fun from hockey to pickleball, starting June 1.

According to Matt Topham, the city’s recreation coordinator, there is no need to register for any of the summer events or activities.

Here are some free sports clinics for June:

• Hockey on Tuesday and Thursday: June 2 and 4; 9-11 a.m., the Murphy Park Basketball Court, 1600 Veterans Drive

• Football on Tuesday and Thursday: June 9 and 11; 9-11 a.m., Memorial Field, 1213 Davis St.

• Pickleball on Wednesday: June 3 and 10; 9-11 a.m., Murphy Park Pickleball Courts, 1600 Veterans Drive Topham also said a soccer and a tennis clinic are scheduled for June, with details to be announced later.

PARKS AND REC: JUNE SUMMER EVENTS

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will offer family-friendly activities in June, ranging from arts and crafts to movie nights.

• Mini Golf Monday: June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; 9-11 a.m., Murphy Park Mini Golf Course, 1600 Veterans Drive

• Arts and crafts Wednesday: June 3, 10, 17 and 24; 1-3 p.m., Memorial Field House, 1213 Davis St., in a partnership with the Taylor Public Library

• Splash pad Playday on Friday: June 5,12,19 and 26; 10 a.m. to noon, Heritage Square Park, 401 Main St.

• Summer in the Park Tuesday and Thursday: June 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 and 25, Robinson Park, 1009 E. Martin Luther King Drive

PARKS AND REC: JULY SPORTS AND EVENTS

July events hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department include some that will shift indoors.

• Mini Golf Monday: July 6,13, 20 and 27; 9-11 a.m., Murphy Park Mini Golf Course, 1600 Veterans Drive

• Splash pad Friday: July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; 10 a.m. to noon, Heritage Square Park, 401 Main St.

• Basketball Sports Clinic at Taylor Event Center Gym on Tuesday, July 14 and Thursday, July 16; 1 to 3 p.m., 3101 N.

Main St.

• Volleyball Sports Clinic at Taylor Event Center Gym on Tuesday, July 21 and 28 and Thursday, July 23 and 30; 1-3 p.m., 3101 N. Main St.

• Summer in the Park Tuesday and Thursday, July 13, 15, 21, 23, 28 and 30; Robinson Park, 206 S. Dolan Ave. According to Topham, a soccer clinic will also be available in July, with details released at a later time.

POOL AND SPLASH PADS

After a dry summer last year, Taylor has a revitalized pool. Officials said the Doris Roznovak Aquatic Center, 1600 Veterans Drive, is perfect for family fun.

It opens noon May 23, with regular hours Tuesday to Saturday from noon-8 p.m. and Sunday from 1-8 p.m. Adult admission (ages 13 and up) is $4, seniors (60 and older) and children 4 to 12 are $3, with those 3 and younger entering for $2.

There are also city-maintained splash pads.

• Heritage Square Splash Pad, 400 N.

Main St.

• Robinson Park Splash Pad, 206 S.

Dolan Ave.

According to city officials, both splash pads use recirculated water to conserve the resource while providing entertainment.

The system filters and treats water before reusing it, ensuring a safe and sustainable experience for all ages.

TAYLOR PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., will host free family events from June through mid-July. This summer’s theme is dinosaurs.

“We are excited to host programs, see new faces at the library and have a roaring good time this summer,” said Abigail Sachnik, youth services librarian.

According to Rachel Sims, the technical services librarian, there will be crafts on Mondays, movies on Tuesdays, evening story times on Thursdays and teen activities on Fridays.

Each Wednesday, there will be a performer or special event.

“We will also be hosting a summer reading challenge for readers of all ages,” Sims said. Adults and children will be able to win a prize for every two hours spent reading up to 20 hours.”

ARTANDTHEATERCAMPS FOR KIDS

The arts are alive in Taylor this summer for kids. With returning programs at Art Off Center and the Every Time Institute, youths can expand their creative side.

New for summer 2026, the new Taylor Theater Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of East Williamson County will bring a theater camp for students in grades six to eight.

The Art Off Center is 116 W. Second St., Suite 108; Every Time Institute is 410 W. Seventh St., Suite 203; and the Boys and Girls Club of East Williamson County is at 2500 North Drive.

FREE THEATER CAMP AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

In a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, the Taylor Theater Foundation will host a free two-week summer theater program this June.

The camp will conclude with a live performance of “The Day the Internet Died.”

The program runs 10 a.m. to noon June 15 to June 26. The program is limited to 20 students.

For more information, contact Mike Kasper at [email protected].

ART OFF CENTER

FORCLAYBOOTCAMP

Located along Potter’s Alley, Art Off Center will offer Summer Clay Bootcamp for Kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

According to Melanie Shaw, owner of Art Off Center, the three-day session covers the basic skills of coil building, slab building, pinch pots and decorating with underglazes. Students will be introduced to clay and complete one to three projects per session.

• Summer Clay Bootcamp 1, June 9 to June 11, 10 a.m. to noon

• Summer Clay Bootcamp 2, June 23 to June 25, 10 a.m. to noon

• Summer Clay Bootcamp 3, July 14 to July 16, 10 a.m. to noon

• Summer Clay Bootcamp 4, July 28 to July 30, 10 a.m. to noon Each session is $180 per child ages 5 to 12. The Art Off Center is at 116 W.

Second St., Suite 108.

To register, visit its website at https:// artoffcenter.com/class-registration/.

EVERY TIME INSTITUTE

Nicolas Nadeau owns Every Time Institute, which holds art classes for school-age students and teens. It is located in the Old Taylor High complex.

The classes are “four days of processbased art focused on exploring creativity,” Nadeau said. “Each student is invited to contribute a work of art to our student group show on Saturday, Aug. 15.”

• STUDENTS AGES 7 TO 13

Puppets, Masks and Creatures June 8-June 11, 10 a.m. to noon July 8-July 11, 10 a.m. to noon Exploring the Natural World June 15-June 18, 10 a.m. to noon July 20-July 23, 10 a.m. to noon Anime and Manga

June 22-June 25, 10 a.m. to noon July 27-July 30, 10 a.m. to noon

• TEENS AGES 14 AND OLDER Portrait Painting June 8-June 11, 2-5 p.m. July 8-July 11, 2 -5 p.m.

Drawing and painting from nature June 15-June 18, 2-5 p.m. July 20-July 23, 2-5 p.m.

Anime and manga

June 22-June 25, 2-5 p.m.

July 27-July 30, 2-5 p.m.

All classes are held on the second floor of Old Taylor High, 410 W. Seventh St., Suite 203,. Each class is capped at six students, and materials are provided.

The classes for students 7 to 13 are $200 for the four days.

Teen classes are $250 for the four days. To register, visit the Every Time Institute at https://everytimeinstitute. square.site/.