This next week many of our youth programs will be on break for the Fourth of July holiday.  The break begins on Monday, June 30, through July 6 for those in soccer, track, tennis, golf, bowling, t-ball, five-pitch softball, archery and archery league.  The Water, Nature & Adventure will have their last class on July 1. Swimming lessons will not meet on the Fourth of July during this next two week session.  Be safe and enjoy the Fourth of July.

We still have room in the Shake, Rattle and Read three week camp for ages 6 to 10. The cost is $15 and includes a school sack lunch. Class runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants should wear swimsuits under clothes each day as they get to check out the splash pad and shallow end of the pool, weather permitting, for each class.

Our next ADM day camp will be held on Friday, July 11. The camp is held in Packer Arena and we do a number of activities beginning at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This camp is open to those ages 9 to 11 and cost is $25 per person and includes lunch and snacks. During the past two camps kids have played a variety of different yard games that anyone can play.  Come join in the fun.

The next track meet is scheduled for July 17. Track meets are sponsored by the Austin Noon Kiwanis as the Gene Roden Memorial Track Meets for ages 3 and up and are held at the Wescott Athletic Field track.  Field events begin at 6:15 with running events at 6:30 p.m.  Track meets are free.

Did you know the city of Austin has a tobacco-free policy which prohibits the use of tobacco in all city facilities and at any playground/park location? Please be considerate to others and abide by this policy.  Small children love to pick things up off the ground and the first place it goes is to their mouth.

There are two disc golf courses in Austin, easy to get to in South Driesner Park on Oakland Place SE and a larger course intertwined through Todd Park on 11 Street and 21 Avenue Northest.

The Nature Center will host a “Water Festival” on July 17, 18, and 19.  Bring the family, celebrate the importance of clean water, participate in activities and games to earn prizes. The events are free with different programs each day. Ann Zimmerman will kick off the festival with concerts at 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7. Check the Nature Center web site for a full schedule at www.hormelnaturecenter.org.

The next Thursday Nature Play date is at 1:30 p.m. July 10, featuring Kevin Strauss . Other activities on this afternoon include canoeing, survival game, pond scooping, self-guided nature trail and archery with Scott Hanna. The seniors can also enjoy this program at 9:30 a.m. with a staff led nature tour from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; the theme will be “Wildflowers have a story to tell.”

You can find information on cancelations by liking us on Facebook as we are putting that information out there when it happens. If you do not have Facebook you can go to the City of Austin web page at www.ci.austin.mn.us, click on departments, click on Park and Recreation, scroll down and click on the Facebook logo and the information will come up.