Parks previews summer day camps and new Trailblazers youth program; registrations open online

Daryl Marbble, the city’s recreation program coordinator, briefed the commission on the Parks summer day camp program and capacity planning for 2026. The seven‑week program runs June 8 through July 23, operates 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., provides breakfast and lunch, and charges $100 per participant for the full summer. Marbble said six sites are active this year and that a dedicated teen site serves ages 12–15; staffing ratios governed by DHS set maximum enrollments and the program typically fills quickly.

Marbble projected about 830 slots across day‑camp sites plus an additional 150 slots at a Southwest site, for an expected total near 900 participants across city programs. Activities include weekly swimming, field trips (movies, zoo, skating, museums), arts and crafts and sport‑based programming. He said the department reserved some slots for Little Rock School District third graders participating in reading programs to ensure parents had child‑care options after school reading efforts.

Shawanda Craig, deputy director of recreation services, described outdoor recreation offerings that supplement the day camps and previewed Trailblazers, a new weekly youth environmental and outdoor‑skills program split into two age groups (10–12 and 13–15). Trailblazers activities will include kayaking, cycling, outdoor cooking, fishing, archery and a new rock‑climbing component; Craig said registration will open once program dates are finalized and that the Parks registration system (active.net) will be used.

Commissioners asked about caps, registration timing and costs; staff reiterated the DHS staffing ratios and said registration is handled online. No fee changes were adopted at the meeting.