Spring Break Vacation Watch, Safety and Camps
March 02 2023
Spring Break is March 13th - 17th! Children and teens will be home and families going on vacations. If you will be going on vacation, be sure to register your home with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vacation Watch Program and keep safety in mind while on vacation and at home. For those staying home, take advantage of the beautiful parks, fun locations and spring break camps offered in the Katy/Fulshear area!
VACATION WATCH
If you have plans to go on vacation during Spring Break, keeping your home safe while gone is a big concern. A Vacation Watch is a service provided by your local Sheriff’s Office. Citizens may request a Vacation Watch by clicking on the following link and completing the on-line form.
Harris County Vacation Watch
To properly route the request, select the Subdivision or Contract name from the drop down list. If the subdivision or contract is not found select the closest Substation or Storefront. For a List of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Substations or Storefronts click here.
Harris County Precinct 4 Vacation Watch Form
Harris County Precinct 5 Vacation Watch Form
Harris County Vacation Watch Form (all precincts)
Fort Bend County Vacation Watch
SPRING BREAK SAFETY
Spring Break is right around the corner! From kindergarten to college, students everywhere are celebrating!
Let’s talk Spring Break safety. So many of these reminders are common sense, yet every year brings new challenges and stories of Spring Break misfortune. Take a few minutes and think about how to enjoy the seasonal holidays and remain safe and sound.
FOR OUR KIDS
There have been a few stories in the news recently of children who were approached by adult predators. In each of the cases, the female children were able to get away and avoid the apparent kidnapping attempt.
Children who are usually in school during the work week may find themselves in unfamiliar settings at Spring Break. Older kids may be left unsupervised. Younger children may attend camps or care situations that are new. Talk with kids about their personal safety. Help them to think through a “plan” if they are confronted by a stranger, or even someone who is known to them, who is making them feel uncomfortable or afraid.
Tell kids that Spring Break safety includes “No, Go, Yell, Tell.” This mantra helps kids remember what to do if they are confronted.
Talk to kids about predators who may try to lure them into a car or touch them in a way that they do not like. Tell kids to say “NO!” in a loud voice, and to “Go” by running away. Explain safe places to run, such as a neighbor’s house, a public place, or even another room at a residential location. Tell them to “Yell” and create a disturbance that will attract a responsible adult’s attention, and then to “Tell” the trusted adult what happened.
By talking through these safety tips, kids will have a game plan if they are confronted by danger during Spring Break.
FOR ADULTS
If you plan to vacation with your kids, remember a few tips about protecting your home while you are gone. Create the “illusion of occupancy:” the illusion that someone is home at your house at all times.
The illusion of occupancy capitalizes on the fact that burglars generally want to break in, steal your property, and leave. They seldom intend to find someone at home in the house. If they believe a house is occupied, they will likely move to another home.
Most importantly, ask a neighbor to pick up newspapers that may be delivered in your absence. Have them check your door for flyers or push cards, and pick up mail that may be visible in a mailbox.
Use light timers and set a radio or television to cycle on and off. Keep lawns and bushes trimmed. If possible, have a neighbor park a car in the driveway or on the street in front of your house. Create the appearance that the home is not vacant for any extended period of time.
FOR EVERYONE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
It is now standard, rather than trendy, to highlight every moment of our day on social media. Even the most routine trips to the grocery store or movie theater are recorded.
Avoid the temptation to advertise your Spring Break vacation plans on social media. It is rare (though not as rare as it used to be) that those who would victimize you are on patrol on social media. However, there is no need to make yourself a vulnerable target.
Put the pictures of your out-of-town trip on social networks after you return and avoid the high-tech burglar who would victimize you in your absence.
These few reminders will insure a Safe Spring Break! Live Safe, and enjoy!
Written by: Katherine Cabaniss, former prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
SPRING BREAK CAMPS
Ages 5-12
All Ages 4 - Teens
Our ninja camps are just the thing for your child to have tons of fun. Our instructors will guide the ninjas on taking on our obstacles, running the courses and playing some fun games. Camp is open to ninjas of all abilities. Pick one day or multiple days, the choice is yours. Camps are held daily from 8:30am - noon. https://www.ninjakatytx.com/camps
Ages 5-18
Learn programming, coding, content creating for YouTube, and more! Have an interest in technology, this is for you! Camps are filling up, so sign up soon! https://icodeschool.com/katy133/camps/
Ages 8-12
Our multi-sport camp provides youth athletes (ages 8-12) with a fun, positive environment to increase their athletic ability through exposure to elite performance coaching. https://athletetrainingandhealth.com/events/#/
Ages 5-11
With just a week off, instead of choosing a single area of interest that might be a hit or miss, let your child explore and find their creative interests. Featuring the largest selection of science experiments, art projects, robotics challenges, and slime projects, Funtastik Labs offers the opportunity to explore and discover interests while having a fabulous break. https://funtastiklabs.com/spring-break-camp
“Make Them Laugh”
Ages 6-15
Full day campers will present a Comedy Club-Style performance for family and friends, with MCs, mics, and club-style seating! Yes – tables, candles, and beverages! Half day campers will perform for their fellow campers. So, enroll your family comedians and let them get their guffaws all lined up! Be warned, it will never be the same at home after this camp! Located at the Cinco Ranch Lake House. www.dramakids.com/tx1
Get ready for dancing, crafts, meeting new friends and more! Fun, family-approved music, moves and apparel. https://dancingandmore.com/
Through the week, visitors to Fort Bend Museum can explore the nature of Texas with sensory bin nature play, crafts and makerspaces, community booths, scientific observations and picnics on the lawn.
There’s a destination right around the corner that celebrates YOU! Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center is the ultimate family destination where there’s something new to do and celebrate every day of Spring Break. Set sail on a voyage of discovery where your itinerary is filled to the brim with exciting, non-stop adventures every day, all day long!
