Having a membership in a club is a great way for the family to get regular exercise, stimulate the mind, and have fun together. Our team at Crème de la Crème of Cedar Park, TX, has put together this guide of five clubs and recreation centers you can join in our area.
Cedar Park Recreation Center
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The Cedar Park Recreation Center is a 47,500-square-foot state-of-the-art recreational facility with several levels of membership options. You’ll find two full-court gymnasiums at the center, a cardio/workout area, and group exercise rooms. In addition, when you join the Cedar Park Recreation Center, you’ll have access to the arts and crafts room, game rooms, and the elevated walking/jogging track.
Classes offered here include the following:
- Yoga.
- Line dancing.
- Tai chi.
- Pickleball.
- Dance fitness.
- Upbeat barre.
The staff at the Cedar Park Recreation Center also offers rotating activities, such as archery or special dance classes. Membership rates vary for residents and nonresidents, with affordable plans for all.
Location: 1435 Main St. in Cedar Park.
Contact: 512-401-5500.
The Knight School Chess Club
If anyone in the family is interested in learning about chess or taking part in chess competitions, consider joining The Knight School chess club. The staff here offers several tiers of classes, starting with the preschool class for kids aged 3 to 5 called Little Geniuses. Youngsters aged 5 to 6 can enroll in the Chess Nuts class, and school kids aged 5 to 16 can take the Knight School chess class.
Children aged 3 to 16 can compete in tournaments or take private online chess classes. During the summer, your kids aged 5 to 16 can join the one-week summer chess camp, and girls aged 5 to 16 can enroll in the girls-only Pink Geniuses chess class. Joining The Knight School chess club will help kids with math, cognitive, and social skills.
Location: Various locations throughout Austin and Cedar Park.
Contact: ed@theknightschool.com.
Austin Swim Club
Whether your kids are just learning how to swim or are seasoned swimmers, joining the Austin Swim Club is a great way for them to elevate their swimming skills. The organizers at the Austin Swim Club offer classes for all ages and ability levels. The swim coaches will evaluate your child’s swim level and place them in the appropriate class so they can develop their swimming to their full potential.
Once students advance their skills, they can compete in team events, such as timed finals and championship meets. The Austin Swim Club is held at the Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy, a state-of-the-art athletic training facility with an outdoor Olympic-size 50-meter by 25-yard competition pool. In addition, swimmers can take private lessons or get in a workout in the indoor athletic training facility and cycling studio. There’s also an on-site running trail.
Coaches at the Austin Swim Club offer special summer practice schedules and spring and fall practice schedules. Once you enroll your child in the swim club, you’ll have access to all the information about classes, practices, meets, and schedules.
Anyone who gets in the water, whether at the Austin Swim Club, a public pool, or a nearby lake, should understand basic water safety tips.
Location: 5513 Southwest Parkway in Austin.
Contact: 512-276-2324.
Twin Lakes Family YMCA
At the Twin Lakes Family YMCA, you can become a member and access many amenities designed for all ages. The young kiddos will enjoy engaging with each other at the Lilliput Tiny Town and cooling off at the indoor or outdoor pool and splash pad. This YMCA has a teen center called The Zone, where teens can hang out with friends, relax, or do homework. They can also join youth and teen sports programs.
Inside the Twin Lakes Family YMCA, you’ll find a gymnastics gym, cycle studio, full-size gymnasium, fitness center, and cardio theater. Outside, you’ll find outdoor sports fields and a hike and bike trail. You can sign up for programs designed for youth, families, and teens. This YMCA also offers youth and teen summer camps that are perfect for letting the kids socialize and learn under the guidance of YMCA counselors. After a busy day recreating at the Twin Lakes Family YMCA, stop by any of these healthy eateries in the Cedar Park area to refuel.
Location: 204 E. Little Elm Trail in Cedar Park.
Contact: 512-250-9622.
Austin Public Library Book Clubs
The Austin Public Library offers several book clubs you and your family can join. Being part of a book club helps encourage you and your kids to read various book genres while socializing and making friends. In addition, when you read a book as part of a book club, you may delve deeper into the author’s thought process of why and how they develop the characters and the situations the author puts them in.
Each branch of the Austin Public Library has a different book club, so you can visit the website to see which one appeals to you most. Examples include the Howson Book Club at the Howson Branch, the Millwood Monday Night Book Club at the Millwood Branch, and Reading the Rainbow Book Club at the Twin Oaks Branch.
With these book clubs, you’re assigned a book to read and will go to the select branch of the library at the elected times to discuss prepared questions and thoughts. Some book clubs choose books aimed at adults, while others have youth, tween, or teen orientations. Call the Austin Public Library or check the website to see which book club best suits your interests.
Locations: Various locations in the Austin area.
Contact: For information: 512-974-7400.
Which Local Club Will You and Your Family Join?
There you have our Crème de la Crème of Cedar Park team’s list of local clubs your family can join for fun and bonding. Which local club is your favorite? Is there one we missed? If you have suggestions for other clubs your family enjoys being a part of, let us know, and we’ll share the information with others in our local community.