07:55 AM CDT on Monday, May 22, 2006

By Carolyn Campbell / 11 News

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School’s out, and children need to be kept busy.

KHOU-TV

Tennis is one of the many sports children can learn how to play through the program.

Child care can be too expensive for some families, but the city of Houston has some low-cost or free programs for families.

It’s called the Summer Enrichment Program, and the Parks and Recreation Department is in charge.

Children can learn how to play tennis, take field trips across the area and even volunteer.

Some of the camps start next Tuesday, and they are $25 a week.

They department also offers a swimming program in partnership with the Red Cross to teach lessons at 23 area pools.

The tennis program will be offered in 36 of the centers, which is free.

The field trips offered this summer will be nature-related and involve trips to Galveston.

For children who used to get free or reduced lunch at school, families can dial 211 and enter their ZIP code to find out where programs will be offered all summer.

“We also have a program where we can bring those teenagers in on a volunteer basis and be a worker with us,” Houston Parks and Recreation Department Executive Director Joe Turner said.

The phone number to find out more information on the Summer Enrichment Program is (713) 845-1236.