Office of Arts and Culture
Culture Pass Dallas
A collaboration between the Office of Arts and Culture and the Dallas Public Library, Culture Pass Dallas provides free access to arts and culture programming, ensuring all residents have opportunities to experience arts and culture throughout the city. The pass is available to all Dallas Public Library Card Holders For more information visit culturepassdallas.com
Dallas Public Library
SMART Summer
Challenge Dates: May 30 to August 8
Read, Discover & Create
Kids up to 18 years old are challenged to read, discover, and create! For every 10 days of reading or being read to, kids earn a free book of their choice up to 3 times over the summer. After completing 10 discovery activities and 10 create activities, kids earn a free food coupon up to 2 times over the summer. Kids who complete 30 days of reading, make 10 discoveries, and create 10 new things by August 8 will be entered in the grand prize drawing!
NEW THIS SUMMER: Kids can earn an additional prize by completing the Super Reader activity badge. Choose any book and practice your reading comprehension skills by answering questions!
Not Just for Kids!
Adults can also read, discover, create, and earn prizes. After logging 15 days of reading, they can earn a free book up to 3 times throughout the summer. After logging 5 activities, adults can either pick a book or a prize from the adult goodie bag up to 2 times over the summer. Adults who complete a combination of 45 days of reading, 5 discoveries, and 5 creations by August 8 will be entered to win a grand prize!
Free lunch!
Free summer meals available for children and teens through a partnership with the nonprofit hunger organization Education Potential Verified. No proof of need or pre-registration is required to receive meals. Free meals available from June 1 through August 7. They are funded by the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. Meals are available at the following locations:
Locations:
- Arcadia Park Branch Hampton-Illinois Branch Prairie Creek Branch
- Bachman Lake Branch Highland Hills Branch Skyline Branch
- Dallas West Branch Lancaster Kiest Branch Timberglen Branch
- Forest Green Branch Martin Luther King Jr. Branch Vickery Park Branch
- Fretz Park Branch Pleasant Grove Branch White Rock Hills Branch
- Grauwyler Park Branch Polk-Wisdom Branch Central Library
Just for Teens!
Dallas Public Library will partner with Dallas Parks & Recreation to participate in the Teen All Access Pass. This summer, teens can visit any Dallas Public Library location with their pass and receive a free Teen DIY Kit that will include a fun activity designed just for teens. Free Teen Programs are also available at select library locations.
Dallas Park and Recreation
Dallas Park and Recreation hosts a number of programs all summer long. Browse everything Dallas Parks have to offer at dallasparks.org.
Aquatics
Dallas Park and Recreation and Dallas Aquatics maintains 9 community pools and 17 spraygrounds. In addition to these facilities, residents can stay cool at the 9 Cove and 5 other aquatic centers and Bahama Beach Waterpark. Click to find a pool or aquatic center! Swim lessons for all ages are available.
Teach A Child To Swim scholarships are available to help youth enroll in lifesaving swim lessons. Scholarships details here!
Aquatics Seasonal Job Opportunities
Dallas Aquatics each summer hires more than 400 seasonal employees for positions at community pools, aquatic centers, and Bahama Beach Waterpark. Find your summer job here. Click here for Bahama Beach positions!
Dallas Aquatics also offers low-cost lifeguard and water safety instructor training and certification programs.
Best Buy Teen Tech Center
Dallas Park and Recreation Department’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center is an innovative, creative, out-of-school learning space where ages 12–17, can work with adult mentors to develop new skills, explore their own ideas, and build confidence in themselves with technology.
City Park
City Park is open daily to enjoy. Explore a selection of historic buildings Sunday-Monday from 12-5; Tuesday-Saturday 10a-5p. The summer calendar will include classes, tours, music, monthly Main Street events and more! Children ages 7-15 can register for the new Summer Exploration Camp – a weekly specialty camp that blends outdoor fun with hands-on learning about local nature and history. Visit the website for a full calendar of weekly activities and events for visitors of all ages.
Counselor in Training (CITs) Programs
Youth ages 13-17 have the opportunity to acquire job skills through a summer leadership training program. CITs support recreation programs, primarily focusing on youth summer camps. They cost $35 per week. Call these locations for more details:
- Kiest Park: (214) 670-1918
- Martin Weiss Park: (214) 670-1919
- Pleasant Oaks Park: (214) 670-0945
Discover Dallas
Discover Dallas is a free summer camp program for Dallas residents, proudly sponsored this year by Amazon. In partnership with Dallas Public Library, the program gives youth ages 5–12 the opportunity to spend their summer engaged in fun, learning, and adventure at locations throughout the city, including libraries and recreation centers. Campers can enjoy creative arts and crafts, sports, swimming, life-skills activities, enrichment programs, and exciting field trips. For more information or to donate, click here.
Outdoor Adventures at Samuell Farm
Adventure Camp at Samuell Farm gives youth ages 7–15 the opportunity to explore the great outdoors at the 400-acre Samuell Farm in Mesquite. This year’s “Level Up” theme takes campers on a series of progressive adventures as they build confidence and skills through mountain biking, kayaking, archery, fishing, survival skills, and nature photography.
Recreation Centers
Dallas’ 42 recreation centers located throughout the city offer youth diverse recreational and leisure activities ranging from camps to sports leagues. Click here to find a recreation center in your community.
Teen All Access Pass
Dallas Park and Recreation offers the Teen All-Access Pass that gives Dallas youth free admission to popular cultural and recreational venues including the Bahama Beach Waterpark, Dallas Zoo, Dallas Arboretum, Trinity River Audubon Center, Southern Skates Roller Rink, Perot Museum and other attractions. This year we are excited to add some new partners such as Dave and Busters, Dallas Love Field, and State Fair of Texas which gives our teens free access to the Texas State Fair. Passes will be available in July at any City of Dallas recreation center. Find recreation center locations here!
Teen Camps
Teen Summer Camp at Exall, Nash-Davis, Thurgood Marshall and Timberglen recreation centers promote leadership development by giving teens the chance to assist with decision-making, planning, and activity coordination. Teens also improve their problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills. Teen Camp registration is available here!
Youth Sports
Low-cost coed leagues for ages 4 to 14 introduce youth to the fundamental skills for soccer, baseball, basketball, flag football and other sports encourage healthy competition.
Dallas Police Department
The Dallas Police Activities League (PAL) builds trust and fosters positive relationships between law enforcement and Dallas youth. By engaging kids ages 8–18 in athletic, educational, and recreational activities, PAL promotes personal growth, respect for authority, and a lifelong sense of citizenship. Officers and mentors create an environment where youth can learn life skills, build character, and stay on a positive path—all while having fun.
Whether it’s through martial arts, basketball, or summer camp, PAL demonstrates that positive interactions with police officers can set young people on a course for success, both in their communities and in life.
Youth Athlectics League
PAL Cycling Program
Kiest Park Recreation Center
3081 S. Hampton Road
Dallas, TX 75224
Thursday, June 4, 2026 @ 9 – 10:00 a.m.
- 6-4
- 6-11
- 6-18
- 7-2
- 7-16
- 7-23
- 7-30
Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program
Launched by Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson in partnership with the Dallas Sports Commission, the Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program offers Dallas youth ages 12-17 the opportunity to attend professional, collegiate, and amateur sporting events for free. Since its inception in 2022, the program has distributed more than 15,000 tickets.
Each youth ticket holder receives an accompanying ticket for a chaperone. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are valid for one event. Eligible participants must be Dallas residents and can register through the Dallas Sports Commission. Once registered and verified, participants will be notified of available sports opportunities.
Partners include the Dallas Cowboys/AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Mavericks, the Dallas Stars, Dallas Trinity FC, the Dallas Wings, SMU, Texas Motor Speedway, the Texas Rangers, the University of Dallas, the University of Texas at Dallas, and others. New ticket partners will continue to be added as opportunities arise.
Click here to learn more and apply to the Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program!
Dallas Independent School District
Summer Cool 2026
Get ready for a summer of discovery, growth, and fun with Summer Cool 2026! Summer Cool is designed to meet the needs of the whole child. Students experience a full day of activities including reading, math, and various extracurricular activities. Transportation, breakfast, lunch, and participation materials are provided.
Don’t miss out! Join us this summer and be part of the DISD’s ongoing commitment to inspiring students, fostering growth, and unlocking new opportunities.
Summer Breeze 2026
Summer Breeze 2026 is your student’s ticket to a summer filled with learning, laughter, and new adventures. Offered throughout June and July, DISD and community partners bring exciting hands-on programs to designated campuses and locations across the community.
Summer Breeze combines academic acceleration with creativity, exploration, and enrichment while also supporting students’ social and emotional well-being. Whether strengthening skills, meeting important learning milestones, or discovering brand new interests, students stay engaged through interactive activities that make learning feel like an adventure.
Join us for Summer Breeze 2026, where discovery, friendship, and achievement come together