Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA): Your Hub for Play and Programs in Rochester, MI

Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA) Introduce

For families and individuals in Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, and the broader Metro Detroit area, the Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA) stands as a vital and enduring institution for community engagement and recreational enrichment. Established in 1946, RARA has been a cornerstone of local life for over 75 years, consistently delivering a vast array of programs and activities designed to enhance lives and strengthen the community through play. It’s far more than just a facility; it’s a dynamic hub where people of all ages and abilities can connect, learn, and stay active.

RARA's commitment to serving its community is evident in its extensive offerings, which range from vibrant summer camps that create lasting childhood memories to a popular indoor playscape perfect for energetic little ones, and a myriad of sports, fitness, and arts programs for all demographics. While like any large organization, occasional administrative challenges may arise, as noted in some user feedback, the overarching sentiment from long-time participants underscores the profound positive impact RARA has on local families. The dedication of its staff and the breadth of opportunities available consistently make it a go-to resource for recreation in the region.

For Michigan residents looking for reliable, diverse, and community-focused recreational opportunities, RARA offers a comprehensive solution. Whether you're a parent seeking engaging activities for your children, an adult looking to stay fit, or someone interested in cultural and artistic pursuits, RARA’s mission to provide an extensive and varied recreational program ensures there's something for everyone. Its long-standing presence and continuous evolution of programs solidify its position as a trusted leader in local recreation services.

Location and Accessibility

The Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA) is centrally located at 500 E 2nd St, Rochester, MI 48307, USA. This prime address places it in the heart of Rochester, making it highly accessible for residents of Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township, as well as surrounding communities in Oakland County. The facility is conveniently situated just off Main Street in downtown Rochester, approximately a quarter-mile east on the south side of the street.

RARA's dedicated facility is designed to accommodate its diverse programs and the needs of its visitors. The location benefits from Rochester’s well-maintained road network, allowing for easy navigation and direct access. Ample parking is typically available at the facility, facilitating convenient drop-offs and pick-ups for classes, camps, and open play sessions. The ease of access, combined with a central community location, ensures that RARA remains a convenient and practical choice for families seeking recreational and enrichment activities in the Rochester area.

Services Offered

RARA provides an incredibly extensive and varied range of recreational programs and services, catering to preschoolers through seniors, and covering virtually every recreational category. Their commitment is to offer something for everyone, constantly evaluating and revising their offerings to meet community needs.

Summer Day Camps: Highly popular, engaging, and well-planned camps for children, offering a wide array of activities to keep kids entertained, introduce new experiences, and provide excellent care for working parents. These include general day camps, sports camps, art camps, and dance camps.
Indoor Playscape: A fantastic 3-level play structure featuring slides, tunnels, obstacles, and a separate toddler area for children under 3 years old. It can accommodate up to 50 guests and is for children under 12 years of age (socks required). Access requires a day pass, punch pass, or membership.
Turf Fieldhouse: A 10,000 sq. ft. indoor turf area utilized for various sports like soccer, lacrosse, bocce ball, field hockey, and fitness classes. It's available for open play, rentals, and parties.
Youth Sports Programs: A comprehensive selection of sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf, martial arts, tennis, baseball, softball, t-ball, cycling, and running. Programs often include both non-competitive and competitive options.
Adult Sports & Fitness: Offerings for adults to stay active, including various sports leagues and fitness classes.
Dance, Performing Arts & Fitness: A wide array of classes focusing on different dance styles, performing arts, and general fitness to encourage creative expression and physical well-being.
Adaptive Services: Specialized programs and activities designed for individuals with special needs, ensuring inclusivity in recreational opportunities. These include adaptive bowling, basketball, judo, dance, performing arts, fitness, social engagement, and special events.
Enrichment Activities: Programs beyond physical activity, such as arts (including family art classes and book art), music, STEAM, culinary classes, financial literacy, and even voice-over coaching.
Community Events: RARA organizes and hosts large community events like "Tons of Trucks," Craft & Vendor Fairs, and Mom2Mom Sales, fostering community spirit.
Babysitter Safety & Safe Home Alone Courses: Practical training for youth, often including CPR/First Aid certification, available both in-person and virtually.
Pet Sitter Courses: Add-on classes for certified babysitters to learn about pet care.

Features / Highlights

RARA's long-standing presence and diverse offerings are underscored by several key features and highlights that make it a cornerstone of recreation in the Rochester area. While some operational issues have been noted by a minority of users, the overwhelming positive feedback centers on the quality of programs and staff dedication.

Spectacular Summer Camps: Consistently praised by parents for their "spectacular program," "impressed by the activities and occasions RARA has planned for the kids," and the "kindness and level of leadership and attention of the counselors." Camps keep children "excited to tell us about her day" and prevent "melancholy about leaving her friends."
Inclusive and Diverse Program Portfolio: RARA truly offers something for "all ages and abilities," with over 2500 programs annually. This wide variety caters to preschoolers to seniors and includes everything from adaptive programs to visual arts enrichment.
Dedicated and Caring Staff: Testimonials highlight the "kindness and level of leadership and attention of the counselors" in summer camps, demonstrating a commitment to positive interaction with participants.
Comprehensive Indoor Facilities: The inclusion of a 3-level indoor playscape and a 10,000 sq. ft. turf fieldhouse provides essential indoor recreational options, particularly valuable during Michigan's colder months.
Long-Standing Community Presence: Operating since 1946, RARA has a deep history and established reputation as the leader in recreational services for Rochester, Rochester Hills, and surrounding municipalities.
Focus on Youth Development: Programs aim to "care for, entertain, introduce new things to, and support our child," indicating a holistic approach to child enrichment.
Community-Strengthening Mission: RARA's mission "to strengthen community through play" is reflected in its diverse offerings that bring people together for shared experiences.
Adaptive Services: The deliberate inclusion of programs for special populations ensures that recreation is accessible to a wider segment of the community.

Contact Information

For more information on programs, schedules, memberships, or to register for activities at RARA, please use the following contact details:

Address: 500 E 2nd St, Rochester, MI 48307, USA

Phone: (947) 886-0007

Mobile Phone: +1 947-886-0007

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For residents of Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, and the surrounding Michigan communities, the Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA) is an indispensable local resource. Its deep roots, stemming from its establishment in 1946, signify a long-standing commitment to enhancing community life through a vast array of recreational opportunities. While some past administrative challenges concerning activity passes have been noted by one user, the overwhelmingly positive experiences, particularly concerning their highly acclaimed summer camps and the dedication of their staff, demonstrate RARA's core value to its participants.

RARA's suitability for locals lies in its unparalleled diversity of programs, catering to every age and interest imaginable – from an exciting indoor playscape for toddlers and youth sports leagues for children to fitness classes for adults and specialized adaptive services. It truly lives up to its mission of strengthening the community through play, offering not just activities but also fostering a sense of belonging and well-being. For Michigan families seeking reliable, enriching, and accessible recreational opportunities that truly care for, entertain, and support their members, RARA stands as a comprehensive and highly valued local institution.

Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA) Photos

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Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA) Location

Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA)

Michigan Oakland County Rochester East 2nd Street

500 E 2nd St, Rochester, MI 48307, USA

Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA) Reviews

I am overjoyed with the experience my child had at Cardinal Camp 2024. She has been attending RARA summer camp for several year. Not only did she have a great summer, but RARA really knocked it out of the park this year. I am so impressed by the activities and occasions RARA has planned for the kids. My child has come home so excited to tell us about her day at camp, and for that we are so thankful. We are also impressed with the kindness and level of leadership and attention of the counselors.Now that camp is coming to an end, my kid is actually getting melancholy about leaving her friends, the counselors she loves, her daily routine, and all the fun you plan for her each and every day. I couldn’t ask for anything more. As working parents, RARA Camp more than meets what we could hope for to care for, entertain, introduce new things to, and support our child during the summer. We can’t thank you enough for your spectacular program.
Aug 16, 2024 · Amy M
Several times over the last two years RARA's managed to 'lose' our activity passes within their computer systems. I've shown my receipt proving the purchase of the bulk purchases, but they've refused to accept responsibility for their failure, and they make me pay again (after accusing me of lying in front of my children)!Understandably, after each incident (3 times now), I write a complaint to management, and they manage to 'find' my passes somehow and I get a refund and a tiny half-apology!As a parent who's used RARA for classes and their playscape for my kids over the last 3 years, and as a Cub Scout leader, I'm very vocal about how poorly managed/ran RARA is.edit: In response to the owner's response; I was aware of the two accounts and explained that to your team members in each of the three visits I mentioned in my initial review! Each time I was told the problem was corrected and the accounts were merged, and yet every subsequent visit I was treated as though I was a liar. I can understand and ignore technical difficulties, I cannot understand unwarranted hostility from RARA team members in spite of receipts and email history with RARA management.
Jul 15, 2024 · Steven Dara
I have to say, the experience was far from what I expected at RARA. Rebecca the director was incredibly unprofessional and, frankly, rude. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that the organization doesn't value the opinions of the parents and the safety of the children.The worst part was the dismissive attitude of the director when concerns were raised—they were defensive and unhelpful, showing no care or consideration for the well-being of the kids.I had high hopes for this camp, but it turned out to be a major disappointment. I would not recommend this camp to anyone looking for a safe, fun, and supportive environment for their children. Save your money and look elsewhere.
Aug 10, 2024 · Riz M
Kids Soccer Review Only (ages 3-4 and 5-6) - RARA was quick to reply to my concerns and rectified the issue with a refund. Thank you.Our kids are 3 and 5. We signed them up for the 3-4 and 5-6 soccer classes. They are beginners, with no team soccer experience. The description for the classes didn't match our experience. Beginners, NOT recommended.for the 5-6 year old group. I'd say if you're looking for a beginner class or something that is organized, don't take your kids to this. The facility is nice, however, the coach they employ seems to be more serious and assumed every kid knows how to play. They didn't do a good job incorporating a beginner into the class.For the 3-4 year old group. Parents participate, which is okay. It's all sorts of disorganized though. Typically at these you'd have the coach call everyone together, get on a knee, explain the class, what we'd be doing, introductions, etc. Nope, just a jumbled start with the only drill they had the kids do was pass the ball with your parent. Then immediately into scrimmaging. Not much fun to be had and not much actual coaching/direction.
Nov 02, 2023 · Kyle Welch
We recently enrolled out son in basketball at the RARA.? Just prior to the first day of practice we received the rules from the coach which are set by RARA. Basketball would consist of drills and no actually basketball since this is considered a contact sport. In addition no parents would be allowed in the building. You would drop your child at the door. Keep in mind this is for a 6 and 8 year old. The thought of leaving our child with a stranger that we don’t know and not letting any parents be there is very concerning. Perhaps the policy has changed recently. I am sure people are well vetted at RARA however as parents we have a duty and obligation to keep our kids safe.In order to clarify when we registered the front desk did not have the rules available and said email the coach. The individual running the front desk was NOT aware of the rules.
Feb 13, 2021 · David Vrtachnik