Youth athletes from 55 agencies participating in the Harris County Street Olympics Summer Games will vie for medals on Friday, August 5 at the Final Event, which features exciting competition in so-called street games hosted by the nonprofit organization and Commissioner Rodney Ellis.

“Street Olympics has been around since 1986 and continues to give thousands of boys and girls a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build their confidence, grow their self-esteem, and see themselves in a different way,” Commissioner Ellis said. “By investing in our children when they’re young, our county benefits by having a stable, productive and educated workforce. Also, we have higher high school graduation rates and increased college and career readiness.”

In June, the Street Olympics kicked off its Summer Games programming with street games competition at the participating agencies, including Precinct One and City of Houston recreational centers for youth. Just like countries participating in the Olympics, each agency sends its best athletes in age and gender categories to the Final Event to compete in activities such as jacks, Hula Hoop, softball throw, jump rope, kickball, foot races and poetry. Medals are given to top-three finishers in each category.

Earlier in the summer, some agencies also provided 3-on-3 Basketball, which culminated in July with a Championship Tournament at Fonde Recreation Center.

Other Summer Games events included free Learn-to-Swim lessons provided to low-income youth at two sites operated by the Harris County Aquatics Program, which is under the Street Olympics umbrella. Throughout the summer, 678 youth also attended two Discovery Camps at Deussen Park and El Franco Lee Park, both of which offered a one-day trip to teach children about nature and the environment.

The Final Event/Bright Futures Fair is the Summer Games main attraction, especially for children who get out of their communities to meet and compete with peers from other neighbors.

“School was out for the summer, but ‘schooling’ didn’t take a day off,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Kids were getting schooled – not just on the basketball court – but in every Street Olympics program. Even though this started with street games, it has evolved into so much more. The programs include educational initiatives like a spelling bee, knowledge bowl, and arts and crafts. Also, there are social services and health care for teens and young adults.”

Details:

Friday, August 5

8 a.m.: VIP Breakfast9:30 a.m.: Parade of Champions, Lighting of Olympic Flame

10:30 a.m.: Games and Bright Futures Fair begin

NRG Arena in NRG Park, 8400 Kirby Dr.,

Houston, TX 77054

About 1,200 youth will compete for “gold, silver and bronze” medals in so-called street games and poetry during the Final Event presented by the Harris County Street Olympics and Commissioner Rodney Ellis. But before the Games begin, there will be a colorful “Parade of Champions” along with the lighting of the Olympic flame. The competition in games such as jacks, Hula Hoop, hopscotch, jump rope and foot races is a culmination of eight weeks of activities at 55 participating youth agencies that send their best athletes to the Final Event at NRG Arena. The Games are designed to improve youth’s self-esteem and confidence. When not playing sports, children will visit the Bright Futures Fair, which features interactive booths and hands-on activities that emphasize health, safety and environmental awareness.