Summer programs to keep kids busy, out of trouble

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Thousands of students are about to be released from school for the summer. With that, many may be thinking about how to keep our children busy and out of trouble.

There are several activities in Jacksonville for parents to consider for their children.

Duval County school lets out Friday, and MAD-DADS and other community groups are teaming up with Blacktop Ministry to make sure families know about at least one option for their children when it does.

Donald Foy, president of MAD DADS Jacksonville Chapter says they are offering a 12-week basketball program that also includes a life skills class. Students will also learn about conflict resolution. Mentors will meet with at-risk youth and the youth will be able to play basketball from 7 p.m. to midnight.

The group is hoping to raise $25,000 for their efforts. To donate or to find out more information about joining, contact AJ Jordan at 904-705-2914.

Foy tells News4Jax the group has already raised money and that the program will take place even if they don't meet the $25,000 fundraising goal.

The Duval County School District is also offering summer enrichment programs for students. The programs include field trips and learning during the summer.
For more information on the programs, you can log onto DuvalSchools.org.

The programs are still open and some come at a cost.

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown also recently announced that they city will reopen five youth centers and make other policy changes to fight violence and crime among the city's young people.

The mayor's initiatives include extending summer hours at 14 community centers and gyms, and add four additional parks to his Summer Urban Parks/Rec ‘n Roll initiative. The expansion is as follows:

  • Hours will be extended until 9 p.m., Monday through Friday at the following community centers: Balis, C.T. Brown, Dinsmore, H.T. Jones, Julian Barrs, Oceanway and Windy Hill.
  • Hours will be extended until 10 p.m., Monday through Friday at the following gyms: Cecil, Cuba Hunter, Emmett Reed, Legends, M.L. Gibbs, and Robert Kennedy.
  • The Charlie Joseph Senior Center near Panama Park will open to youth from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. The center, which until now only served seniors, previously closed at 5 p.m.
  • The four parks that will join 18 others already announced as part of this summer's Rec 'N Roll program are Burnett Park, Criswell Park, Mitchell Center and Westside Park.


The city of Jacksonville is also offering a number of camps. An aqua camp, tennis camp, and ocean camp are just among the few being offered. A number of pools will also be open this summer. Youth football and basketball programs are also being offered.

For more information about these programs, please visit COJ.com/departments/parks-and-recreation.