Please refresh your browser if you're unable to see the 'Click here to register' button.
LIMITED SPACES ARE AVAILABLE. IF THE SYAP SESSION YOU ARE INTERESTED IN IS SOLD OUT, YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO JOIN THE WAITLIST. YOU WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY PLACED ON THE WAITLIST WHEN YOU FINISH THE REGISTRATION PROCESS.
The aim of the Rice University Summer Youth Activity Program is to introduce children (aged 6 to 11) to a variety of sports and recreational activities in a friendly, non-competitive environment. Our staff of instructors and counselors consists of students from Rice and other universities in the area, as well as professionals trained in education and recreation. Our goal is to provide each participant with age-appropriate instruction and an exciting and memorable experience. Participants will spend their summer having fun, meeting new friends and being physically active. A summer with SYAP will leave your child with a sense of physical, social, and emotional accomplishment and memories that will last a lifetime.
2026 Session Dates
Session 1: June 8 - 18*
Session 2: June 22 - July 2*
Session 3: July 6 - 17
Session 4: July 20 - 31
Late Care: 3:45 pm - 6:00 pm
*There will be no camp on the following days: June 19 (due to the observance of the Federal Holiday, Juneteenth), July 3 (due to the observance of the Federal Holiday, Independence Day)
2026 Registration Dates and Prices
Rice Faculty/Staff and Student
Monday, February 2, from 12:00 pm until Tuesday, February 3, at 4:30 pm
Rice Alumni and 2025 Returning Family
Wednesday, February 4, from 12:00 pm until 4:30 pm
Open Registration
Friday, February 6, from 12:00 pm until all sessions are full
Prices
Rice Faculty/Staff and Student
Session 1 - $549
Session 2 - $549
Session 3 - $610
Session 4 - $610
Rice Alumni
Session 1 - $621
Session 2 - $621
Session 3 - $690
Session 4 - $690
Community
Session 1 - $659
Session 2 - $659
Session 3 - $730
Session 4 - $730
Late Care - $250
* A non-refundable deposit of $300 is due at time of registration for each session/participant. Deposits will be applied to the total cost.
Facility Location
All sessions will be held on the Rice University campus at the Recreation Center. The Recreation Center is located inside gate entrance #20 (Kent Street) off Rice Blvd. (The Recreation Center is the first large building on the right). Need a campus map? An online version is available using this link.
For Parents
Use this link to access our 2026 Parent Guide.
Use this link to access our 2025 Parent Pre-SYAP Zoom Meeting. 2026 Parent Pre-SYAP Zoom Meeting coming soon!
Use this link to access a sample activity schedule.
Lunch
Participants in the Summer Youth Activity Program are required to bring a lunch daily. To keep our campers physically distanced during lunch, we are asking all campers to bring a beach towel to sit on during lunch.
*Please note: The Summer Youth Activity Program is not “nut free”. We do not prevent families from sending children to campus with lunches/snacks that might have nuts in them, and sell products in Concessions that may contain nuts. However, we will provide reasonable accommodations to protect the well-being of a child who has nut-related allergies. If your child has a nut allergy, please contact us to discuss the degree of severity prior to enrolling him/her in our program.
If Your Child(ren) Takes Prescription Medication
Parents/legal guardians will be asked to complete a Medical Dosage form outlining instructions for dispensation. Please bring the Medical Dosage form and the medication in the original container with the prescription label to registration on the first day of the session. To download the Medical Dosage form, use this link.
No Metal Water Bottles
Metal water bottles are taking the summer off this year! For everyone's safety and to keep our fields, courts, and campers dent-free, we're asking all participants to bring a lightweight plastic water bottle instead. Think of it as part of our camp spirit: staying hydrated, staying active, and staying metal-free.
Contact Us
Questions about any of this? Don't hesitate to ask us!
Email SYAP@rice.edu or call our main office at 713-348-4058