Registration is now open for a FREE Swim Lesson Event! Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands in collaboration with The Woodlands Family YMCA, The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch, and Montgomery County Hospital District created the S.P.L.A.S.H. program (Swim, Ply, Learn, and Stay Healthy) to educate parents and children on water safety as a way to prevent childhood drownings. On Saturday, May 22, children ages 3-12 years old can receive a free 30-minute swim lesson by YMCA Swim Instructors at the Branch Crossing YMCA Pool. Community Splash Partners will be on hand with giveways and activities promoting safety around the pool, CPR for kids, Life Jacket Wearing & Sizing, Water Watcher Tag, refreshments, and more. Registation opens at 12:00 noon on May 6.  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER your child for a free lesson!

According to the National Safety Council, drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 4 years old. Teaching children how to swim and be safe around water is one of the most important life skills parents can help their children learn. Most drownings occur due to children falling in a pool or being left alone in a bathtub.

According to the Department of Family and Protective Services, 80 children died as a result of drowning in 2020; 25 of these were from our region. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from a drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries. Texas and Florida tie with the highest number of childhood drownings in the country for children under the age of 15.

Drownings are preventable and affect all people regardless of background. Based on findings by the CDC, formal swim lessons can reduce drownings by 88%.

The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch is partnering with the Riva Row Boat House for Paddle with your Pup events from 10 a.m. to noon on May 1, 2021, at Riva Row Boat House, located at 2101 Riva Row in The Woodlands, TX 77380 and June 5, 2021, at Lakes Edge Boat House, located at 1970 Hughes Landing Blvd, 77380. These events will be an enjoyable way to bring the dog for a ride on the water while also getting valuable information on water safety and crime prevention.

These events are part of the Dog Walker Watch initiative, which is designed to promote a heightened awareness of suspicious activity and show how to report it to law enforcement. The program is an additional component of the continued Community Policing efforts in The Woodlands, sharing the idea that law enforcement and our residents must work together. 

Crime prevention and water safety information will be available, as well as giveaways, prizes and treats. This is an opportunity to learn what behaviors are suspicious, what information is important, and how to report it. Law enforcement and Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch staff will provide crime prevention information directed toward dog walkers who act as eyes and ears for law enforcement and for their neighborhood.   

Water Safety information will be provided by the Neighborhood Watch staff, and the Army Corps of Engineers will be there with boating safety information. Lone Star Animal Welfare League has donated 8 lifejackets to the boathouse for the pups and will share information about their organization and programs.

The Neighborhood Watch is also raising awareness of water safety and drowning prevention. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children the ages of 1 to 4. Unfortunately, Texas leads the nation in drowning deaths. Come learn about layers of protection: Supervision, Barriers and Education.

Reservations for the Paddle with Your Pup events can be made online at:

• www.rivarowboathouse.com for the event on May 1, 2021
• www.lakesedgeboathouse.com for the event on June 5, 2021

Those planning to attend the event should practice social distancing, refrain from gathering in large groups and continue following all guidelines established by the CDC when in public spaces and around others outside of your household. Please note all information is subject to change, pending local, state and federal Orders or Declarations.  

This event is sponsored by Natural Pawz. For more information about The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/neighborhoodwatch..

In its fifth year, the popular “Shelter for Shelter” fundraising event benefiting YES to YOUTH - Montgomery County Youth Services has been set for Thursday, June 10, 2021 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands.

Presented by the Richmond Realty Group RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring, guests will enjoy an evening filled with fun entertainment, delicious fine food by local restaurants, and refreshing spirits, along with an opportunity to network with community leaders and local businesses within the beautiful, spacious showroom of Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands located at 16917 I-45, Conroe, just north of The Woodlands.  COVID-19 safety precautions will include masks, sanitizers, and social distancing will be encouraged.

YES to YOUTH - Montgomery County Youth Services provides crisis counseling, residential shelter programs, health services, and prevention services to strengthen families and empower youth. Mental health and homeless services are currently the top, urgent priority for the need to support this important community non-profit. Proceeds from ticket sales will help fund the shelter expansion project.

This year’s goal is to surpass last year’s fundraising success, which was held as a hybrid event (in person and virtually), far exceeded its goal of $25,000 by raising more than $44,000. 

Dannette Suding, CEO of Yes to Youth comments, “The pandemic made for a challenging 2020, but thanks to the support of business partners like Richmond Realty and the supporters of Shelter for Shelter, we continued our fundraising efforts because we could not pull back on our mission to support kids in crisis who need shelter and/or counseling. We encourage local businesses, organizations, and individuals to save the date and sign up for a sponsorship or buy a set of tickets. This is truly a fun event that supports such a worthwhile cause.”

YES to YOUTH (formerly called Montgomery County Youth Services)  is a non-profit organization that provides crisis counseling, residential shelter programs, prevention services and empowerment to young people to strengthen families, teach the youth that they are worth it, they deserve safety and security, and that they will succeed in life.

Services include individual, group and family mental health counseling; presentations and school counseling in crisis situations; suicide prevention for youth and families; BridgeWay Emergency Youth Shelter (for ages 10-17); street outreach for homeless teens; and Healthy Support Program for pregnant and parenting teens.

According to The Wolford Group, providing event management since the inception of Shelter for Shelter,  sponsorships are available for $1,000 and include two tickets. Individual tickets are $100 per person. Registration is available at  https://youthmc.ejoinme.org/2021ShelterforShelter. For more information, please contact Brooke Baugh of The Wolford Group at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or cell at (713) 397-3093.

To learn more about YES to YOUTH - Montgomery County Youth Services visit www.sayyestoyouth.org and visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sayyestoyouth/ or call 281.292.6471 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. YES to YOUTH also offers a 24/7 Crisis Hotline at 1.888.756.8682.

The Woodlands Township will host a number of activities throughout the month of May in celebration of National Bike Month, in efforts to create a better community through bicycling. 

There are numerous events planned throughout the month of May for riders of all types. Bike to Work Day will take place on Friday, May 21, 2021, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Northshore Park, 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive. Bike commuters are invited to meet for refreshments and bike commuting information.

The Woodlands Children’s Museum will host its annual Children’s Book Week celebration during May 5-8, 2021 with a variety of events and activities to foster a joy of reading.  Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is administered by the Children’s Book Council and is the longest running national literacy initiative in the United States.  Each year, events are held nationwide at schools, museums, bookstores, and libraries in the belief that children’s books and literacy are life-changing.

“Children who are introduced to reading at an early age tend to read earlier and excel in school,” stated Angela Colton, Executive Director of The Woodlands Children’s Museum.  “Reading, rhyming, singing, and talking are an important part of language development and we are excited to offer a week of programming that encourages families to connect and share the magic of books.”