City of Rochester Announces Summer Recreation Lineup Featuring Aquatics, Camps and Activities for All Ages

Today, Mayor Malik D. Evans announced a robust lineup of summer recreation activities that will help Rochester residents and families stay active while school is out. From free open recreation to structured camps and programs, the fun-filled season runs from Monday, June 29 through Friday, Aug. 21. All program details and registration links are now available at www.CityofRochester.gov/Recreation.

“Our caring recreation team members are experts in fun,” said Mayor Evans. “We offer all city residents high-quality, free, and affordable activities in their neighborhood R-Centers, so that kids and families can stay active, try new things, and make memories all summer long.”

Summer recreation highlights include:

Free Daily Open Recreation:

Every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., open recreation activities are available at R-Centers across the city. Breakfast and lunch are served.

• Summer Play Days: Youth ages 6-17 can head to their neighborhood R-Center for a variety of activities each day, including field trips. With hiking, biking, swimming, crafting, gardening, and field games, there’s fun in store at Adams, Avenue D, Carter, Frederick Douglass, Edgerton, David F. Gantt, Trenton and Pamlea Jackson, and Thomas P. Ryan R-Centers.

  
  

• Hope Heatwave Summer Sports Weeks: Youth ages 12 to 16 can try their hand at nearly every sport under the sun during Summer Sports Weeks at Hope R-Center, 524 Campbell St. With basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, pickleball, ultimate frisbee, cheer and more, there’s a new theme each week to keep summer exciting and fun.

Aquatics and Athletics:

• Aquatics fun is at its best over the summer with the City’s pools and beaches fully staffed with lifeguards and ready for open swim and swim lessons. Dive into the pool outdoors at the Genesee Valley Sports Complex or Avenue D or indoors at Trenton and Pamela Jackson R-Centers, or make a splash in Lake Ontario at Durand Eastman Beach or Ontario Beach Park. Ten spray parks and features are also ready to help the community stay cool and have fun starting Friday, May 22.

  
  

• Youth sports and fitness programs abound at R-Centers across the city, as well as the Rochester Community Sports Complex (RCSC), 460 Oak St., with offerings such as team sports, boxing, track and field, and more. For the youngest Rochesterians out and about this summer, Bitty Basketball at Thomas P. Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Ave, welcomes children as young as four years old, and the R-Sports Cheerleading Team at RCSC is open to children as young as five years old.

Youth Camps and Programs:

• R-Camps  (Weekly sessions July 6-Aug. 28): Youth ages 6 to 11 dive into new adventures every day through group games, outdoor activities, arts, dance, and nature exploration at Lake Riley Lodge, Genesee Valley Field House, or the brand-new Maplewood Nature Center opening this summer. Spots are still available in select weekly sessions.

  
  

• BizKid$ Entrepreneurship Camps (Sessions: July 6-10 for ages 10 to 13 and July 20-24 for ages 14 to 19): Youth will learn how to start and manage their own businesses through fun, hands-on activities. This program is free to city residents.

  
  

• My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Summer Scholars Program (July 13-Aug. 6): Youth ages 12 to 14 build skills in leadership, financial literacy, job readiness, health and wellness, and conflict resolution over the course of four weeks while earning a stipend for completing the program.

Recreation for Adults:

Summer programming for adults provides opportunities to connect, learn, and stay in shape, including:

• Sports Leagues and Lessons: Take to the court in Court Kings Basketball at the Ave. D and Ryan R-Centers or join beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels of tennis lessons at Genesee Valley Park Sports Complex and Cobbs Hill Park. Bring your competitive spirit and sportsmanship while honing your skills. 

  
  

• Free Open Athletics and Fitness Opportunities: Drop in for open basketball or open gym at select R-Centers to build strength and skills or get moving in Jackson R-Center’s Boxing club, Edgerton R-Center’s Dance for Fitness program, or Ryan R-Center’s Together We Thrive Adult Fitness class at Ryan R-Center. These and other opportunities invite you to stay fit at your own pace.

  
  

• Games and Socializing: Hope R-Center’s Game Night and Dart League invite adults to enjoy classic fun, while Edgerton R-Center’s Paint and Bake Ceramics inspires creativity.

Find these activities and many more at www.CityofRochester.gov/Recreation.