The Irving Police Department is offering some fun and free summer camps for kids during July.
The Irving Police Department and the Police Athletic League (PAL) is hosting “Kicks” soccer summer camps and “Hoops” basketball summer camps for kids aged 8 to 18 that started last week, the department tweeted.
The tweet stated that the program is run by School Resources Officers (SROs) and gives kids a safe place to play but also presents an opportunity for students to get to know their SROs outside of the school setting.
🏀Hoops & ⚽️Kicks youth camps are happening NOW!
These camps are run by our School Resource Officers (SRO’s), will not only provide a safe & secure environment for youth during the summer, but will also allow them to get to know their SRO’s outside the school setting.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/PYjECXREBV— Irving Police Dept. (@IrvingPD) July 5, 2022
The program is split into four one-week-long summer camps that run Monday through Friday until July 29 and is open to boys and girls of all skill levels.
The soccer camp is open for youth aged 4 to 14 and runs daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sam Houston Middle School. The basketball camp is open to children aged 8 to 18 and runs from 8 a.m. to Noon at Ellis Stadium.
The summer camps are free, and snacks will be provided. Officers ask that participants bring a water bottle and wear appropriate clothing for the activities.
The PAL program was started in 1992 as a non-profit organization by volunteer police officers and private citizens.
Their website lists the group’s goal as helping “at-risk” kids develop self-esteem, discipline, and mental courage through a structured physical activity program and exposure to positive role models.
Irving PAL programs are available to boys and girls ages 8-18.
Beyond the hoops and kicks summer camps, the organization’s primary offerings are boxing, fitness, wrestling, soccer, basketball (summer), and the “Urban Outdoors” program, which includes archery, camping, fishing, hunting, kayaking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.
