The whistle blows at Lamar High School’s natatorium, and students attending HISD’s athletics swimming camp return to their breast stroke drills and breathing exercises.

Summer is here for students, and that means tons of fun in the sun and swimming pools with friends. That is why veteran Coach Stephen McDonald wants to ensure HISD students have the proper education to have a safe and fun summer around water.

“Naturally, our students are going to gravitate towards activities such as swimming, and we fail them if they aren’t prepared,” McDonald said. “By offering the swim camp, we are making sure our students understand the importance of how to enjoy water in a safe way.”

According to the Texas Department of Family Health and Services, at least 34 children under the age of 17 have drowned in 2019 across the state.

For Evelyn, a mother of two HISD students, the swimming camp provides an opportunity for her children to enhance their current swimming skills and receive the proper education when it comes to water safety.

“This is a great and affordable way for my children to improve their swimming capabilities and remain prepared when around water,” she said. “I won’t always be around when they’re near water and I want them to be able to protect themselves while still enjoying the fun of summer and water.”

The swim camp is open to students at any swim level in sixth through 12th grades.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the district to provide a way for our students to receive some form of physical activity during the summer while also educating them on the basic fundamentals for swimming or any other sport that piques their interest,” Director of Athletics Andre Walker said.

The free, four-week athletics camp is only one of the activities offered and led by certified trained coaches from winning programs across the district. Students can also participate in camps for basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, soccer, golf, tennis, and track and field. Parents and guardians can still register their students on site at any of the camp locations found here. The camps take place daily from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. For questions, contact the HISD Athletics Department at 713-556-6913.