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Park department reports increased summer camp participation, highlights Discover Dallas expansion
Summary
Recreation Services reported higher enrollment across several summer programs, a rise in fee-based revenue to $705,000, and 55 program offerings citywide; staff credited fee adjustments and added Discover Dallas locations for increased participation.
Dallas Park and Recreation Department staff presented a summer camp wrap‑up on Aug. 21 showing increased participation across multiple programs, new offerings and a modest rise in revenue.
"This summer our programs ran from June 2 through August 1," Mason, service area manager in Recreation Services, said during the briefing. Staff reported 55 programs for ages 5–12 and teen programming for ages 13–17. Highlights included a free Discover Dallas program that ran eight weeks at 24 sites, teen camps at four locations, a specialty Outdoor Adventure Camp at Samuel Farm and a therapeutic camp for campers with disabilities.
Staff said fee‑based camps saw higher enrollment and that program revenue rose to about $705,000 for the season. Discover Dallas — the free program formerly known as Send a Kid to Camp — expanded locations and offered STEM, arts and enrichment vendors. "This summer camp was free of charge to its participants," Mason said.
Recreation Services said it awarded 92 summer camp scholarships, acknowledged that number was down from 2024 because more Discover Dallas slots were available, and reported improved survey results: staff overall experience rose 5.2% and parent likelihood to recommend rose 3.2% compared with the prior year. Staff also said participation rates were 82% for fee‑based camps and about 72% for Discover Dallas sites.
Board members asked about wait lists, funding and the program name change. Staff said Discover Dallas is funded by a combination of utility bill mailer philanthropy, Communities Foundation of Texas, community development block grant funds and other sources. Park Board members praised the program and asked staff to continue monitoring unmet demand and local wait lists to target future program expansion.
