Holiday Options – Page 23

A Guide to Spring Break Camps- 2015 Edition

February 20, 2015

Spring Break Camps? Yes, please if it means this arctic weather will soon be gone. We’ve found an assortment of camps for your child if you are staying in town this Spring Break. Registration has already opened for most so don’t delay find a good fit for your child and sign up today. And it’s not too early to start checking out our Summer Camp Guide. Have a favorite camp that isn’t listed? Please let us know so we can add it to our list for readers.

Maryland:

Imagination Stage- April 6-10, 2015
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814)
Mornings, afternoons or full day camps in Drama, Dance, Filmmaking,or a combination. Make it an awesome Spring Break, and get your child’s creative juices flowing. It’s way more fun than hanging out at home. Ages 3.5-Grade 8.

MSA- April 6-10, 2015
(Hoover MS, 8810 Postoak Rd, Potomac, MD 20854)
Spring break multi-sport and enrichment camp is designed by sports champions to help young athletes realize their optimal performance in their favorite sports. MSA offers a spectacular multi-sport & enrichment camp providing a well-rounded experience combining learning and fun, to build fond memories that will last a lifetime. Baseball, Basketball,Bocce Ball, Dance and fitness, Flag Football, Golf, Kickball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Street Hockey, and Tennis. are offered. Camp is from 8:30am-4:00pm and is offered for girls and boys ages 4-14.

Silver Stars Gymnastics- April 6-10, 2015
(2701 Pittman Dr. Silver Spring, Md 20910)
(14201 Woodcliff Ct. Bowie, Md 20720)
Choose one day or all week, half day or full day. They offer three camps for kids 3.5-15 at both locations.

Adventure Theatre– April 6-10, 2015
(7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD. 20812)
Send your kids to come play with Adventure Theatre MTC where they will have a full day of theatrical activities, afternoon snack. For those that attend a Wednesday camp day, an 11am performance of their main show Three Little Birds is included. You can choose one day or the full week. Grads K-5.

Virginia:

Arts on the Horizon – March 30-April 3, 2015
(1100 Wythe Street Alexandria, VA 22313 )
Calling all time travelers! Your child will take a voyage through the vortex to explore the past, present, and future. Jumping into history, climbing the pyramids in Ancient Egypt and then head further back to meet a T-Rex and use their imaginations to explore futuristic worlds on distant stars! Half day camp for children ages 3-5.

Arlington County Parks and Recreation – March 30-April 3, 2015
(Various locations in Arlington)
Many options from arts, sports and theatre are some of the camps offered through the Recreation Department. Extended hours are available. Ages 5-15.

Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre – March 30-April 3, 2015
(Heritage Presbyterian Church- 8503 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, Va. 22308)
Your child will explore their creative side. All campers will rehearse and perform a show at a the end of camp. This is one of the longer camps running from 9:00am-5:00pm. Grades Kindergarten-14 years old.

SkateQuest – March 30-April 3, 2015
(1800 Michael Faraday Ct., Reston, Va. 20190)
For the child who can’t get enough of the ice. Camp includes ice skating lessons, ice painting, broom ball and an end of camp show. Ages 4.5-12.

Spring Break Camp at Dulles SportsPlex – March 30-April 3, 2015
(21610 Atlantic Blvd. Sterling, Va. 20166)
Your child will have fun learning and playing sports. Some are soccer, kickball, flag football and basketball. They offer full or half day & full or half day options for children ages 6-12.

Washington, DC:

The Children’s Art Studio- April 13 – 17, 2015
(Location TBD)
Campers will touch upon the fundamentals of drawing, painting, sculpture and printing with fun-filled exercises. Time will be devoted to longer-term multi-day projects which will be structured as a direct response to the interests and curiosities of the particular group of children. Camp will meet from 9-2. Camps are for children 5 years old and up!

DC United Camp– March 30-April 3, 2015 and April 6-10, 2015
(RFK Training Center- 2400 E. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003)
(Patriot Park- 12111 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030)
Join D.C. United as they host their annual Spring Break soccer camp series. The 5-day curriculum designed by our full time Academy and Pre-Academy coaches suits players ages 5-17. These camps will help develop the players’ technical and tactical understanding of the game while maintaining a fun and exciting environment. Camp includes soccer ball, t-shirt, DC United ticket and DC United player appearances.

Spring Break Camp at The Children’s Art Studio– April 13-April 17, 2015
(Location may vary)
Each camp session will touch upon the fundamentals of drawing, painting, sculpture and printing with fun-filled exercises and will devote time to longer-term multi-day projects. They go to Fort Reno Park for lunch and play. Class will take place from 9:00am-2:00pm. Camps are for children five years old and up.

Spring Safari Day Camp at The National Zoo- March 30 – April 3; April 7 – 10 (no camp on Monday, April 6 – Easter Monday); and April 13 – 17, 2015
(3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008)
The Zoo always delivers fun and engaging camps. Themes include Zoo-uess and Where the Wild Things Are. Spring Safari campers will explore the lives and habitats of animals around the world and learn about ongoing conservation efforts to protect them. Camp includes exciting hands-on activities, craft projects, science experiments, and walks through the Zoo. Grades K-5.

Hopper Heroes Camp at Georgetown Day School (GDS)- March 23-27, 2015
(Held at the Lower School- 4530 MacArthur Blvd, Washington, DC 20007)
Have you ever wanted to be just like one of your favorite superheroes, learn the skills that they use, and how they apply those skills to helping the world become a better place!? If so, this camp is for you. You’ll build strength and skills, test your superhero brain power and learn what it takes to live everyday like a superhero. (Sign up by day.) Break Camp runs from 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and After-Camp Care from 3:00-6:00 p.m. There is not before-camp care. Geared towards campers age 5-Grade 5 and are open to GDS and non-GDS students.

The Theatre Lab- April 13-17, 2015
(733 8th Street NW. Washington DC 20001)
School’s Out camps, modeled on The Theatre Lab’s award-winning Summer Acting Camps for Kids, are perfect for children age 6-12, who enjoy being creative and making new friends, and are designed to be fun for novices as well as kids who have already been bitten by the drama bug. Drama activities are scheduled from 9:00am-3:00pm, and kids can come for just one day or the whole week. Families can extend a child’s day from 8:30am-5:00pm by choosing our extended-day recreational activities option.

Weekend Picks: Blues, Jazz and Labor Day

August 28, 2014

Maryland Renaissance Festival kicked off last weekend! The festival is free to children 11 and under this weekend. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Your children will see people dressed up in 16th century outfits. Dress like a knight and come any weekend through October 17.

Curtain call on some great theater performances this weekend. Check out the list and see a show.

Friday-

5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Sculpture Garden
(7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW)
This is the final concert of the summer. The free concert series has featured jazz artists performing a wide variety of styles—salsa, blues fusion, xylophone, Afrofunk, and more. Bring a picnic dinner.

Saturday-

10:00am-10:00pm: Library of Congress National Book Festival
(Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Pl., NW, Washington, D.C)
This year’s festival will feature authors, poets and illustrators in several pavilions well into the evening. Festival-goers can meet and hear firsthand from their favorite poets and authors, get books signed, enjoy special entertainment, and stay up late for special new graphic novel, poetry and film programs.

12:00pm-7:30pm: 26th Annual Blues Fest at Carter Barron Amphitheater
(16th Street & Colorado Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008)
Throughout the day, visit the John Cephas Workshop Stage for workshops led by talented and well-known artists who will entertain children and adults. Check out The John Cephas Workshop Stage from 12:00 – 4:00 pm for the Children’s Instrument Play Area. Admission is free.

2:00pm-8:00pm: 8th Annual Jazz and Blues Festival at Lake Anne
(1609 Washington Plaza, Reston , VA)
This free, family friendly, all-day event will showcase a variety of talented regional and national jazz & blues performers.

2:00pm: The Fresh Beat Band at Wolf Trap
(1645 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA)
It’s a “Great Day” to sing and dance “Just Like a Rockstar” with Kiki, Marina, Twist, and Shout from Nick Jr.’s sensational TV band! All patrons, including children of any age, must have a ticket to performances. Tickets range from $25-125.

Sunday-

3:00pm-11:00pm: Capitol Concert
(1st St SE., Washington, DC 20515)
Gates open at 3:00pm, open rehearsal at 3:30pm and concert begins at 8:00pm. This year’s program explores American music from TV, movies, and beloved Broadway musicals, with a veritable “who’s who” of notable composers represented. Concert is 90 minutes in length.

Parade Guide-
Kensington, MD 46th Annual Parade and Festival

Old Towne Gaithersburg Parade

Greenbelt Parade and Festival

Herndon Labor Day Festival

Weekend Picks: Memorial Day tributes, splashing around and day trips

May 22, 2014

With the holiday weekend among us, we’ve chosen a few well-known picks that pay tribute to Memorial Day. We’ve also put together a short list of suggested Day Trips that won’t keep you and your family in the car too long but will get you “away”.

Rockville Hometown Holidays: Saturday and Sunday- 2:00pm-10:00pm, Monday- 9:00am-1:00pm
(30 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD 20850)
Over 30 bands will perform this weekend at HTH. Check out the kids activities as well; ¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! plays on the Town Square Stage at 5:00pm on Saturday. Rockville will have a Memorial Day Parade beginning at 10:30am at Martins Lane and N. Washington, and ending on Monroe Street.

Rolling Thunder– Events all weekend long
The weekend begins on Friday with a Candlelight Vigil followed by a Wreathlaying Ceremony and their annual roaring Memorial Day Parade motorcade through downtown. Complete schedule here.

Visit the Capital Wheel at the National Harbor
(165 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745)
Did we mention the 42 enclosed gondolas are temperature controlled? Soar 180 feet above the Potomac River and spot DC’s finest sights. Price per ride: $15/adults; $11.25/kids 3-11; Free/kids 2 and under.

Viva! Vienna!– Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-10:00pm and Monday 10:00am-6:00pm
(245 Maple Ave. W, Vienna, Va)
Rides, music, crafts, children’s stage, street vendors, food and Memorial Day Tribute. Children’s event schedule here. Free admission.

Day Trips:

In Shenandoah National Park, hike from waterfall to waterfall, climb the rocky Old Rag Mountain, go biking or take a guided horseback ride. If you need to cool off, head over to Shenandoah River Outfitters and go rafting, tubing or kayaking on the shady river. 75 miles from downtown D.C. at its northernmost point; see all park entrances here.

North Shore: Bay Avenue and Fifth Street, North Beach, MD 20714
Want to go to the beach but a 3 hour drive is not in your plan? Our family enjoys the short drive (38 miles) to North Beach. White sand, a playground within the fenced in beach and a pier with plenty of fisherman to watch. The beach charges admission in the summer months and rents umbrellas and chairs too. There is also a cute town to explore; a sandwich shop, Sweet Sue’s Bake Shop and Coffee Bar, a candy store and a few antique shops selling beachy decor.

Take a step back in time in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Although West Virginia is a small state, it’s packed with history and beautiful scenery. Kids will have fun visiting this National Historical Park. Visit Harpers Ferry for the Civil War history and re-enactors. Hike one of the many trails in the area for a spectacular view of three states—West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland—at once. Amtrak provides one train from Union Station to Harpers Ferry per day but it’s a short at about 67 miles from D.C. Harpers Ferry Adventure Center can get your hooked up with kayaks, tubes and more if you’re feeling adventurous. If you happen to go on Monday, be sure and stay for the Music in the Park Concert at Bolivar Children’s Park from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

And of course the kids haven’t let you forget the pools open this weekend. Here is a list of Washington, DC pools with hours and addresses. Most hours are as follows (check because your closest pool may be under renovation) Memorial Day weekend hours: May 24th, 25th & 26th (Sat, Sun & Mon) from 12 pm to 6 pm. Weekend operations (Sat & Sun), May 31st through June 22nd. Full operational hours to start June 23rd, 2014!

Not a pool person? Let your child run around and splash in the spray parks. A few in DC are The Yards Park and Georgetown Waterfront Park and a list of spraygrounds in Arlington.

Eggstravaganza 2014 in the Washington, DC area

April 14, 2014

Egg hunts galore! Whether it be a festival, farm or egg hunt (we’ve left brunch for you to figure out!) your child will have a blast and maybe even get to experience more than one of these events. Options begin Thursday and run through the weekend after Easter. Happy Easter!

April 17-19, 21 and 26-27: 19^th Annual Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard
(22200 Davis Mill Road Germantown MD 20876)
Enjoy a hayride down the Bunny Trail, race the Rubber Duck Derby, hunt for colorful eggs (we provide the basket!), exchange eggs for a goodie basket to take home, visit with the farm’s very own Country Bunny, ride pedal tractors, play in Hayromp and Playground, hop in inflatables, ride the giant slides, see bunnies, lambs and chicks, get your face painted and ride a pony. $8.75 per child and $6.75 per adult.

April 18-20 (times vary): The Lee-Fendall House Easter Egg Hunt
(614 Oronoco Street Alexandria, VA)
The museum’s garden will be filled with hundreds of colorful toy-filled Easter eggs! Other activities include games, crafts, refreshments, and photos with the Easter Bunny. All children of elementary school age or younger (children aged 0-12) are eligible to participate in the Easter Egg Hunt. Older children and adults are welcome to enjoy the other activities. Tickets are $12 for children aged 0-12, and $5 for all others.

April 18 10:00am-3:00pm: Meadowside Nature Center’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt
(5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD)
Children ages 2 through 12 can search for real (hard-boiled) eggs hidden in the meadow, then dye and decorate the eggs they find. There will be other spring-related activities throughout the day, including bunny hat and frog puppet crafts, ‘egg’ games, live animals and a meet-and-greet with Otus the Owl mascot. Register in advance for the 30-minute hunting sessions. Admission: $8 per child.

April 18 10:30am: 7th Annual Eggstravaganza! at Tudor Place
(1644 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007)
Rolling green lawns, bobbing spring blooms, and the elegant mansion on a hill serve as backdrop for this festive annual attraction. Join the Easter Bunny and children of all ages for an Egg Hunt (starting 10:30 a.m.) and thrilling Egg Roll Contest down the grand South Lawn (10:45 a.m.). Decorate eggs, play games from the past, take photos with the Easter Bunny, and make the 5½-acre gardens your play space for the morning. Please bring:a basket (for Egg Hunt), one long-handled spoon per child (for Egg Roll), and one hard-boiled egg per child (for Egg Roll). Non-Member Child: $10 | Accompanying Adult: $5. Register here.

April 18: Bunny Breakfast and Train Ride at B & O Railroad Museum
Join us for our annual Easter Bunny breakfast buffet in the Roundhouse. Enjoy story time with Choo Choo Blue, the museum’s mascot, take a carousel ride, and have your photo taken with our guest of honor! Then “All Aboard” for an exclusive train ride with the B&O Bunny! $34 for adults & $26 for children ages 2 and up. To purchase tickets contact Dana Kirn at 410-752-2462 x 221. (No sales after 3pm on Wednesday, April 16.)

April 19 7:30am-9:00am: Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. Easter Egg Hunt
(1001 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004)
There is limited availability in each session, so please book fast! Once a session is full, no more tickets will be available for that time. So, if you are unable to attend the White House Easter Egg Roll, then come along and meet all 44 US Presidents and hunt for goodies along the way! Tons of eggs will be hidden throughout our Presidents Gallery. Once children have collected the empty eggs, they can then trade them in at the end of the hunt for an Easter gift bag full of fun goodies (1 per child). Admission is $25 for adults (13 and older) and free for children (12 and under). Price of admission will include FULL access to Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C., an Easter egg hunt through the Presidents Gallery, 1 gift bag per child, a meet & greet with the Easter Bunny, access to an on site petting zoo, and Easter storytelling and crafts! All children must be accompanied by an adult and there is a maximum limit of 4 children for every 1 adult. Register here.

April 19 (times vary): Cottontail Express at Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad
(315 Railroad Ave, Elkins, WV 26241)
Bring the kids dressed in their Easter best to meet Peter Cottontail on the Train. Join the Easter parade of animals in a mad search for that hippity, hoppity Bunny. This hop down the rails includea face painting, singing and general merriment. 1.5 hour roundtrip. Departs Elkins Depot 11 am and 1 pm. Adult – $35, Children (Age 4 – 11) – $30, Under 4 – Free. Reserve your spots now.

April 19 11:00am-1:00pm: Stead Park’s 9th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
(P St NW between 16th and 17th Sts)
Lindsay Reishman Real Estate and Friends of Stead Park are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt at Stead Park. There will be fun for children of all ages including face painting, balloons, toys and candy (in the eggs), and our special guest– The Easter Bunny! Bring your Easter Baskets and join us. We’re accepting egg donations, so please bring them before 10:30am on the day of the event so we have a chance to share them with the Easter Bunny. Also, be ready to start the hunt at 11am, so arrive early. Children must be chaperoned by a parent or guardian. Snacks and beverages will be provided. RSVP by April 15 by calling 202.904.4888.

April 19 10:00am-1:00pm: Easter Eggstravaganza at Top Golf Alexandria
(6625 S. Van Dorn St., Alexandria, VA 22315)
Featuring Easter Bunny, raffle giveaways, moon bounce, face painting, magic show, and more! Everything is free! Space is limited and registration is required. Registration will close on April 14th and a confirmation email will be sent within 48 hours of the event.

April 19 1:00pm-3:00pm: Easter Eggstravaganza at Lincoln Park
(East Capitol Street between 11th and 13th Street Washington, DC 20003)
Two Easter Egg Hunts, life-size Easter Bunny, cotton candy, face painting, games, prizes and bike raffle (one girl’s, one boy’s) .

April 19 2:00pm-4:00pm: Barrack’s Row Egg Hunt
(500 and 700 blocks of 8th Street as well as the lawn at Hill Center)
Enjoy the newfound spring weather and bring the family to take part in Egg Hunt on 8th! Free baskets will be provided for children to go up and down 8th Street looking for a variety of eggs – including the prize winning Golden Egg. Ted’s Bulletin will be providing complimentary cookies and treats at the event table in front of their restaurant.

April 19 & 20 10:00am-5:00pm: Ticonderoga Farms – Spring Easter Festival
(26469 Ticonderoga Rd, Chantilly, VA)
Ticonderoga Farm’s Bunny will be joining everyone at the farm. Hopping around and posing for picture opportunities during our weekend hours and playing with our favorite friend Chickadee. Together hiding eggs for all the children to enjoy finding, especially the golden eggs that provide extra fun prizes for those who find them. Egg hunts will be held at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Cost is $11.95. Giant slides, mazes, animals, face painting and much more will be there!

April 20 8:00am: Rosedale Conservancy
(35th St NW and Newark Street NW, Cleveland Park)
The Rosedale Conservancy will host the 24th annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter morning, Sunday, April 20th. Please bring your little ones armed with baskets. Meet at 8:00am at the Farmhouse, up the steps from the 35th and Newark Street gate.

April 20 12:00pm: Eggstravaganza 2014 at Walter Pierce Park
(b/t N Ontario Pl & N Lanier Pl)
The event is free and open to the public.

2014 Chinese New Year Parade

February 1, 2014

February 2, 2014, 2:00pm – 4:30 p.m

Chinatown – on H Street, NW, Washington, DC between 6th and 8th Streets

Each year a parade is held in Chinatown in Washington, DC to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The event features the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations and live musical entertainment. Enjoy these pictures of the annual lunar celebration!

The parade winds around the adjoining streets. A good place to view the parade is along 7th St.

The closest Metro station is Gallery Place/Chinatown.

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 17, 2014

Do your children know why they are off school on Monday? Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'” There are plenty of places open and needing assistance on Monday to serve those less fortunate and other places open to remember King.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service- Make an impact on your community

DC:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Kids Tour – Saturday, Sunday & Monday 11:00-11:45 & 2:00-2:45 at the Martin Luther King, Jr . Memorial. Come join us for a kids’ tour of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and an opportunity to earn a Junior Ranger Badge!

Portrait Story Days: Martin Luther King, Jr. – Saturday, January 18, 2014 from 1:00pm-4:00pm The National Portrait Gallery presents Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Recommended for children ages 5 and up for this free event.

“It Takes a Village” Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Project Monday, January 20, 2014 from 10:00am-1:00pm volunteers will be deployed to senior housing complexes across the District to spend time with residents and help them to create their own personal emergency preparedness plan.

The National Children’s Museum – Monday, January 20, 2014 from 10:00am-4:00pm. visit and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Your child can contribute to a very special peace quilt!

Let Freedom Ring! – Monday, January 20, 2014 at 6:00pm– The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University featuring Dionne Warwick will hand out FREE tickets (click on link and scroll down for more information).

WTOP has created a list of events (not all kid friendly) of exactly what is planned downtown.

Maryland:

I Have A Dream Weekend Celebration at Port Discovery Children’s Museum from 10:00am-3:00pm on Saturday, Sunday & Monday. Community comes to life over the three-day “I Have a Dream” weekend! Join the Museum to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Montgomery County MLK Day of Service 2014 This is a great family friendly event and one in which MCPS students can earn SSL hours. Take part in a variety of family friendly service projects.