Back in the "old days," when fifty cents a week allowance would not cover my needs, I started cutting grass in the neighborhood. Walking door-to-door and handing out fliers for my lawn care business at age 12 set the stage for my current profession. I had six customers keeping me so busy that I had no free time to spend my new-found income.
During my summers in high school and college, I think I had the best summer jobs of anyone. Beginning the summer between my freshman and sophomore years in high school, I worked at a Boy Scout camp near Kerrville. After being a camper there for four summers, working on staff was the best experience I had as a Boy Scout.
But after a couple of summers flipping burgers, I had to get back in the sunshine and away from fried foods. After passing a lifeguard training program, I found the perfect summer job at the pools in Lackland AFB in San Antonio. What better way to earn college tuition and extra spending money than watching swimmers all day with a whistle and a white zinc-oxide nose?
Kyle Parks and Recreation Department (Kyle PARD) is now accepting applications for similar types of work:
- The Maintenance Division offers a program designed to prepare high school juniors and seniors in the field of parks and grounds maintenance. Earn "on the job" experience with professional mowers, trimmers, heavy equipment and learn about team work. Hard work in tough areas during the heat of the day will make you stronger than ever.
- The Kyle Pool offers positions ranging from cashiers to lifeguards to swim instructors. Kyle PARD can even help with training and certification and will supply all the sunscreen you need for the summer. Competitive pay, great hours and fresh air is better than flipping burgers.
- The Recreation Division opens three day-long summer camps for the youth in the area. These camps need counselors, supervisors and directors. The camps are a great way for teachers to earn extra income during the summer or a chance for college students to pay for fall tuition.
Contact the Kyle Parks and Recreation Department for more details on these programs. The website is www.kylepard.com, call 262-3939 or come by the office at Kyle City Hall.
