Beltway Bambinos

(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children

Learn about Chevy Chase Pediatric Dentistry & meet Dr. Karen Benitez

Why a Pediatric Dentist?

At Chevy Chase Pediatric Dentistry (CCPD) we are different and you will see from the moment you enter through the door. Our entire space is catered specifically for children so that it feels less medical and more personal, comfortable and safe. Our office is alive with colors, toys and we even have a separate nook just for kids to explore and play during their short wait.

Beyond the esthetics and environment, as Pediatric Dentists, we are educated in the unique needs of children and adolescents. Our studies extend an additional two to three years beyond our general dental school education in pediatric growth and development, orthodontic development and behavior management techniques and more. We are dedicated to the dental needs of even the youngest of children and it is ALL. WE. DO.

Our Philosophy

Our practice recognizes that positive, early dental experiences can lead to a lifetime of excellent oral health. From infancy through adolescence, we seek to establish a familiarity with oral health practices and us as providers, that carry confidently into their adult lives. It is important to Dr. Benitez that her patients, and their parents and caretakers, feel at home in her office and with her staff.

What to Expect Your First Visit

Chevy Chase Pediatric Dentistry understand good vibes! We encourage our patients to touch, feel, ask question and share feedback. All this is the interest of introducing the entire dental experience in the friendliest of manners. Our enthusiasm to share in this experience with your child and family cannot be curbed! We introduce our language for all dental instruments in terms kids just get. We “tickle teeth”, use “power washes”, spit into “magic straws”, make “silly smiles” and wear “silly masks”…you get the picture!

For a recipe to success in early oral health, start with CCPD, stir in lots of laughs and affection, add child-centered comforts and, voilà, ”I love going to the dentist!”

Our Services

We strive to make comfort and education our top priorities at CCPD! We take our relationship beyond a six-month exam. How is it all done, you ask? By utilizing state-of the art technologies, coupled with our expert specialty knowledge and experience, add on a fun-filled, child-centered environment and the magic begins.

-Toddler Exams
-Recare 6 Month Exam Visits
-Fluoride Applications
-Digital RadiographsSpecial Needs
-Growth & Development Assessment
-Nitrous Oxide, Conscious Sedation & General Anesthesia


Meet Dr. Karen Benitez
Founder & Designer, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Benitez received her doctorate degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry in 2006. Following graduation, she pursued further hospital-centered training in General Practice Residency at Jacobi Medical Center and Pediatric Dental training at St. Barnabas Hospital. Her training was extensive in preventive and restorative care, growth and development, behavior guidance, including oral sedation, trauma, as well as interceptive orthodontic management. Dr. Benitez received her Board Certification in 2009 and completed her oral exam to attain Diplomate recognition in 2010 from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

*We welcome your child to come into our office and have a look. Please, stop by and check us out. We would love to show you around!

Location: 8401 Connecticut Ave, Suite 650 | Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Phone: 301.272.1246

2018 Guide to Martin Luther King Day in Washington, DC

Do your children know why they are off school on Monday? Here are some events and opportunities you can share with your child to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. 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.

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In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort.

Washington, DC:

2018’s Peace Walk will begin at 10:00am on Monday, January 15th at 2500 MLK Ave SE and end at the Barry Farm Recreation Center.

Monday, January 15 at 12:00pm: 37th Annual Martin Luther King Jr., Parade
(Good Hope Road near the Anacostia Park entrance)
We look forward to the 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and another festive experience. Participants are committed to continuing this strong tradition started more than 30 years ago by radio talk show host and community activist Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene, Washington Informer publisher and philanthropist Dr. Calvin W. Rolark and former Ward 8 Councilmember Wilhelmina J. Rolark when they organized the annual Martin Luther King Day Parade (on one of the nation’s first streets named in honor of the civil rights leader, following his death in 1968). The parade began in 1979, six years before Kings’s birthday became a federal holiday. We continue the tradition and celebration that the Rolarks and Petey Greene started, as we honor Dr. King and keep his message alive. The Parade will commence on January 15th at 12:00 noon and will begin from Good Hope Road near the Anacostia Park entrance SE Washington, DC and continue along MLK Avenue to Barry Farm Recreation Center, on Sumner Road, where the MLK Holiday DC Health & Community Fair will be underway. Across the nation and the world, Dr. King’s life and legacy is commemorated by a day of service and promoted as A Day On and Not a Day Off.  The Martin Luther King Jr. Parade symbolizes the need to continue Dr. King’s work and reinforces the idea reflected in his words, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Those who believe in Dr. King’s message are considered members of the Coalition for Peace and are invited to join the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Parade every year. th

“It Takes  a Village” Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Project Saturday & Monday- Serve DC connects residents with volunteer opportunities and community-based organizations with resources and volunteers and tracks the number and locations of volunteers and service projects citywide.

Monday, January 15, 2018 at 6:00pm: Let Freedom Ring! 
TheThe Kennedy Center and Georgetown University celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the free, ticketed musical tribute Let Freedom Ring! The annual program, part of the free daily performance series on the Millennium Stage, features Grammy® and Tony®–nominated performer Vanessa Williams and the Let Freedom Ring Choir led by Music Director Rev. Nolan Williams Jr. The line for the ticket giveaway will form on Monday, January 15 in the Hall of Nations, at the glass doors leading to the Grand Foyer. Patrons must be in line to receive tickets. Tickets will be distributed, up to two (2) per person, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are reserved seats. Limited seating availability. Seating will begin at 5:15 p.m. All patrons are asked to be seated by 5:40 p.m.

Visit the Martin Luther King Memorial– This weekend is a great time to visit the Memorial. National Park Service Rangers discuss King’s role in the Civil Rights movement daily. The National Park Service will host a wreathlaying service on January 15 from 8:00am-9:00am. in observance of the birthday-anniversary for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Join Rock Creek Conservancy  in honor of the 2018 MLK Day of Service. There are volunteer events in your neighborhood as well as other locations throughout Washington, DC, and Montgomery County, MD. Schedule below-

Saturday, Jan. 13th

Turkey Branch:  10 AM to 12 PM, Trash cleanup (kid friendly)

Mouth of Rock Creek:  10 AM to 12 PM, Invasive species removal

Monday, Jan. 15th

Randolph Hills Local Park:  9:30 AM to 12 PM, Trash cleanup (kid friendly)

Crestwood/Piney Branch:  10 AM to 11 AM, English Ivy removal

Fenwick Branch:  10 AM to 11 AM, Invasive vine removal

Pierce Mill with Blue Planet Scuba:  10 AM to 12 PM, Trash cleanup (kid friendly)

Soapstone Tributary with DC Mayor’s Office:  10 AM to 12 PM, Trash cleanup (kid friendly)

Meadowbrook Local Park:  10 AM to 12 PM, Trash cleanup (kid friendly)

Beret Park:  1 PM to 3 PM , Trash cleanup (kid friendly)

Hearst Rec Center: 2 PM to 4 PM, English Ivy removal

 

Maryland:

Saturday, January 13th from 10:00am-5:00pm, Sunday, January 14th from 12:00pm-5:00pm, and Monday, January 15th from 10:00am-5:00pm: I Have a Dream weekend at Port Discovery Children’s Museum is all weekend. Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy through hands-on educational activities exploring African-American history and heritage during Port Discovery’s “I Have a Dream Weekend.” Join in a variety of interactive programs designed to educate, inspire and help children of all ages to understand the impact Martin Luther King, Jr. made on America and the world throughout the weekend.

Monday, January 15 from 10:00am-6:00pm: MLK Dare to Dream at The American Visionary Art Museum
A celebration in honor of the life and dreams of one of the greatest visionaries in America’s history. Join us for free admission, workshops, birthday cake, and special performances at this FREE, fun-filled day! The museum is FREE & open to the public. Visit our latest exhibition, The Great Mystery Show, and tour our entire Wonderland campus, including the Jim Rouse Visionary Center & more! A special invitation is extended to educators and all the wonderful people who help to empower the next generation. Teachers, come pick up our educational materials and discover the many educational offerings we have available for you and your students.

Monday, January 15 at 11:00am: New Orchestra of Washington (NOW) Family Concert 
Bring the whole family to enjoy a special family concert! The colorful program will engage listeners both young, and young at heart. After the concert, you may opt to stay, for the instrument petting zoo and pizza lunch. If you are looking for something to do on a cold holiday, this is it!

Monday, January 15 from 1:00pm-3:00pm: Montgomery County MLK Day of Service 2018
Dr. King devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice, and economic opportunity for all. He challenged us to build a more perfect union and taught us that everyone has a role to play.  On Monday, Jan. 15 we join together to honor Dr. King’s life and teachings at the Montgomery County MLK Day of Service 1-3 pm at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center, as well as other sites across the county.

Monday, January 15 at 3:30pm Dr. MLK Jr Tribute & Celebration at Strathmore
Montgomery County celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s life through dramatic readings, music, and dance performances. This will be the first time in many years the holiday falls on his actual birthday, making this program particularly significant, with very special entertainment including a choral performance by the civil rights iconic Carlton Reese Memorial Unity Choir from Birmingham, Alabama. A visual art display from students interpreting what their dreams are for the future will also be presented. Free tickets are required for this event, and will be distributed onsite the day of the performance (Monday, January 15) starting at 2:30pm. All patrons must be in line to receive tickets, and one ticket will be distributed per person. The line will form in the Music Center foyer, starting near the café. Patrons may enter on the 3rd floor near the skybridge. Tickets are for general admission seating, which will begin at 3pm. Come early for the best seating.

Ultimate camp guide in and around Washington, DC for Summer 2018

An updated 2019 Summer Camp Guide can be found here.

This 2018 Summer camp guide is sponsored by Beauvoir Summer Camp.

Beauvoir Summer
(3500 Woodley Rd, NW, Washington, DC 20016 on the National Cathedral grounds)
Located on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Beauvoir Summer strives to create an inviting, collaborative and warm community for campers during the summer months. Beauvoir Summer offers camp programs open to Beauvoir and non-Beauvoir children ages 3 to 11 years old over four sessions that run a total of seven weeks.  Whether registering for one session or all summer, exciting activities include field trips, swimming lessons, outdoor adventure programs and specialty camps. Beauvoir Summer also offers a counselor-in-training program for students grades 6 to 12. Through a variety of offerings, Beauvoir Summer makes it easy for you to create a schedule that works best for your family, offering before and after camp care programs as well. Simply put, Beauvoir Summer can accommodate all of your summer camp needs!

Woodland Horse Center
(16301 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD. 20905)
Woodland Horse Center is the premier horseback riding center in Maryland and prides itself in offering the most spectacular Horseback Riding Summer Camp for horse-crazy kids from June 18-Aug 24. The 1-week Pony Pals Camp is for young riders ages 5-7. The 2-week Horsemanship Camp is for riders ages 8-16. All campers learn to ride correctly and confidently in twice daily riding lessons. Campers also learn comprehensive horsemanship skills which help them learn and love to care for the wonderful horses and ponies. Interactive, hands-on lessons outside of the ring include grooming, tacking, anatomy, health care, nutrition and more. Put the devices down, get outside and have a blast with the horses!!

Summer Safari Zoo Camp at The National Zoo
(3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008)
Each of the Summer Safari programs explores the lives, habitats, and conservation of animals around the world. Week-long sessions include exciting hands-on activities, lessons, craft projects, science experiments, and walks through the Zoo (but no direct contact with animals). Camp sessions are grouped into four grade levels: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-7.

Spy Camp at the Spy Museum
(800 F Street, NW Washington, DC  20004)
Another sneaky camp that sounds like so much fun and full of thrills! Somewhere deep inside the Museum an elite group of recruits is lurking in the shadows preparing to take on top secret missions. No one really knows who they are, or for that matter, what they’re really up to. Now it’s your children’s turn to join their ranks. Each day is filled with top secret briefings and activities that will put spy skills and street smarts to the test. Aspiring Spy recruits will hone their tradecraft, learn from real spies, and hit the streets to run training missions. Develop a disguise for cover, make and break codes, discover escape and evasion techniques, create and use spy gadgets, uncover the science behind spying—all of this and more awaits young recruits! Ages 10-13.

National Building Museum Summer Camp
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001)
One and two week sessions for campers entering 2nd-7th grade. Experience the world we build for ourselves in new ways and with hands-on activities and projects in one of our favorite buildings in DC! Attend one, two, or all of the unique sessions of, full-day summer camp at the National Building Museum. Campers will enjoy design challenges, exploring the Museum, and more!

Lowell School Camp
(1640 Kalmia Rd NW., Washington, DC. 20012)
Their respectful and caring atmosphere encourages campers, rising PreK-grade 9, to grow in self-awareness and confidence, while strengthening their cooperation and consideration for others. They have an expansive campus with fields, surrounded by towering trees, provides generous space for games, sports, exercise, and water play. Campers explore and investigate plant and animal life in a spring-fed stream, a tributary of nearby Rock Creek. The four-lane indoor pool, fully equipped technology center, three art workshops, library, and large gymnasium are also available to campers. 

Sidwell Summer
(3825 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016)
(5100 Edgemoor Lane Bethesda, MD 20814)
With an array of programs for campers and students Age 3 – Grade 12 throughout June,  July, and August, they have something for everyone. This camp has two locations to choose from with a variety of camps; day camp, sports camp and academic camp.

Bricks4Kidz
(1130 6th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Camp kicks off the morning session by grouping up the kiddos by age (two age groups: 4-6 year olds and 7-12 year olds) then the fun begins. Campers work in pairs and build projects through Bricks 4 Kidz lesson plans and make creations of their own during super fun free play periods. The afternoon gets “challenging” as the campers enter “Challenge Island”, that provides unique challenge-based programs designed to foster critical and creative thinking skills, problem solving methodology, and core STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) principles in children.

Arts on the Horizon Summer Camps
(1100 Wythe Street, #26093  Alexandria, VA)
From superhero to construction, this arts inspired camp has a session that is sure to appeal to your child. They offer one week, half day sessions. Ages 3-6.

(Photo: Imagination Stage)

Theatre & Arts Camps:

Adventure Theatre Camps

Little Loft

The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts

Meadowlark Guitar and Ukulele Camp

Red Panda Art Studio

McLean Project for the Arts (MAP)

Camp Arena Stage

Art in Motion via UpCycle/Local Motion

Takoma Groove Camp

Fit Kids Hit the Stage

Round House Theatre

Encore Stage and Studio

Imagination Stage

Lola’s Lab Camp

Levine Summer Music & Arts Day Camp

The Art League

Creative Youth

(Photo: Language Stars)


Language Camps:
CommuniKids

Language Stars

(Photo: Baseball Camp at Bethesda Big Train)

Other camps around the Washington, DC area:

(Photo: Calleva)

Need to sign-up for just one week of camp? Thanks to some locals parents, here’s a great list of drop-ins and places that will allow you to sign up a week at a time.

Bruce Murray Soccer Camp is in Potomac and has bus transportation
Humane Rescue Alliance for grades 2 & up
Bethesda YMCA tennis camp 
Woods Academy in Bethesda has a great summer science program
HomeRun Baseball Camp allows daily drop-ins and accepts kids ages 4-12
PPA offers soccer camps
Bethesda Soccer Club has tons of soccer camps
Sidwell Friends School summer camp
Washington Episcopal School summer camp
Calleva is an outdoor camp that has buses that pick up and drop off close-in and offer a variety of camp experiences
Brit-Am is a local soccer club that also has summer camps
Headfirst summer camp is very popular with various themes with two locations
Four Soccer at American University
Coach Sal Caccavale and his summer camps, they are all located in DC
Bach to Rock has a music camp in Bethesda
Landon camp is for boys and girls and provides bus transportation from a few neighborhoods

Yoga with Bambinos

“Take my child to yoga with me? Ohm my God!”  (See what I did there?! 😉 ) Others like the idea of exposing their little ones early, especially if that means instilling some yoga fundamentals into them. For me, finding a yoga class that I can bring my kids to means I can practice yoga and give my kids an opportunity to see me exercising which is important. Joining a yoga class with your child also gives them a chance to practice yoga and play around you while trying poses (even babies). And perhaps we’ll all go home a little more relaxed and zen. Here are some yoga studios that offer classes to parents and children together.

If you are also shopping around gyms here’s a few that offer childcare while you workout!

As always help us grow our lists; if you know of other great yoga studios and gyms to add to these lists please let us know.

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YoGirl Yoga
(3815 Village Park Dr, Chevy Chase, MD 20815)

Mother/Daughter Yoga as well as yoga for girls that empower them through yoga, meditation and self-awareness.
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Good to be bad: Badlands nature-inspired indoor play space

Badlands is a nature-inspired play space and interactive environment where children can take risks, succeed at challenging themselves, and find their own way.  Targeted to children ages 2-13, Badlands offers a broad spectrum of challenging opportunities carefully curated to young minds.

Highlights:

The Workshop: Complete with tools, workbenches, and tinkering stations where children and parents can work together and be creative using real materials. My son was attracted to this room because it was complete with tools. An employee asked his age and depending on what it is, they allow you to use certain tools with supervision. He used a screwdriver to screw in various things on a wooden block. There was also an art station set-up with employees assisting with the intended craft, which was making things to fly. Once you created it you put it inside a wind tunnel to see if it was successful at flying. If it wasn’t, you could go back and fix the project. Kids are also able to be creative and make something of their choice. A Lego pool was also in this room— were talking thousands and thousands of legos. A few animals also live in cages in the Workshop room.

The Mountain: Kids discover new confidence as they climb and scramble their way to the summit (no need for harnesses). Kids are instructed to keep feet AND a hand on the mountain at all times and employees are at the top to assist anyone who needs a helping hand. There are mountains of various sizes. My 2.5 year old was able to master each mountain by the end of our time there while my 6 year old had no problem from the beginning. Children can also climb through caves and pull themselves up by a rope on one part of the mountain.

Loose parts: There are several containers of large wooden pieces, ropes, wheels and plastic screws. Children were creating wagons, carts, and anything they set their minds to. Next to this area is a space that looks like a stream, complete with large rocks, a bridge, logs and trees to maneuver around.

Builder’s Room: Children use large-scale building materials that they can easily manipulate to design and create whatever they can dream. This room was not available because a summer camp was using it. But from what we saw before the camp came, they provide mats, soft blocks, milk crate containers and other materials to tinker around and create something with.

Exhibits: Features new interactive experiences every three months. During the first rotation, the space will house live butterflies. We were fortunate enough to witness a butterfly coming out of the chrysalis. Bambinos can use magnifying glasses to examine plants and butterflies in the exhibit.

There is also a screening room, a space in the center that is fenced off for small games, a cafe that serves wine and has wifi, and 4 large pavilions that are used for parties and celebrations.

The complete space is huge and bright. You feel like you are outdoors with the nature theme in addition to the bright, attractive colors. They have an entire hallway of bathrooms that are all family-friendly. The only negative thing I found was that they encourage you to let your child roam and explore however the front doors have a handicapped button to open them. I have a roaming almost 3 year old who happened to go right up to it and open the door. Had I not been with her she would have darted out of the place. Perhaps a wristband they check upon leaving is a good idea or roping off the entrance somehow so it isn’t so open.

Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm Closed on Mondays.

Address: 5200 Randolph Rd. Rockville, MD.20852 (in the same plaza as Chuckee Cheese)

Cost: Children 3+: $22.50

Children under 3: $12.50

Memberships are also available.

Tip: Sign the waiver ahead of time online

Sea Rocket offers Bambino friendly boat rides, parasail and fishing trips in Ocean City, Maryland

Headed to Ocean City, Maryland? We just got back and added a new must-do to our list of beach fun. Sea Rocket offers a thrilling speed boat guided tour, parasailing trips as well as a fishing charter. If you’ve been to OC this summer (just under a 3 hour drive if timed right) you have definitely spotted the red, white and blue boat speeding past the beach, which is the Sea Rocket! We took our 6 and 2.5 year old on a two-hour fishing trip and had a successful, FUN, memorable time on the water. My son went fishing last summer and had high expectations for this trip as he caught a few flounder last time and was hoping he’d have the same luck this time. He wasn’t disappointed as he actually lost track of how many he caught. The captain and mate were very patient with our kids and even encouraged our littlest to help “steer” the boat. About an hour and half into fishing, we spotted dolphins and the captain was determined to make our children remember this trip. He knew exactly how to make the dolphins follow us in our wake and we were able to get up close and personal with a huge pod of dolphins for about 20 minutes. After that he took us along Assateague Island National Seashore to see if we could spot any wild horses and sure enough our luck didn’t stop with the dolphins. Once we marveled at the wild pony just hanging out on the beach we headed back to dock. When we arrived the captain and mate were eager to capture a family photo of the flounder we caught and even printed out a picture for us. Since we had dinner plans, we let them keep the flounder for their dinner! This fishing trip was such a wonderful experience, we will absolutely be heading back next summer.

Want to ride along the coastline of Ocean City on the enormous Sea Rocket? Enjoy fun music, observe the scenic coastline, and watch for wildlife on the Sea Rocket. They have frequent encounters with Dolphin as they love to play in the rooster tail. They make 8 trips a day during the summer season so there is definitely a time to fit it in!

Prices:
Children Under 3: Free
Children 3 – 12: $10
Adult Fare: $22
Senior Fare:$13
Military & First Responders receive $2 off anytime!

Feeling a bit more adventurous? Fly high above Ocean City enjoying a breath-taking birds-eye view of the shore’s beautiful coastline on a parasail. Relax and enjoy your adventure on a state of the art parasail boat and feel at ease with the experienced, safety-minded crews & USCG master licensed Captains. Fly solo or bring a friend (or two) to enjoy approximately 12-15 minutes in the air!! You can choose to go 400ft, 600ft or 800ft. Keep in mind:

  • No experience necessary. Must be 4 to go up. (under 18 requires parent or guardian approval)
  • Weight 100 lbs. minimum, 450 maximum
  • Casual dress recommended shorts, t-shirts, bathing suits
  • Bring a towel, sunscreen, water bottle

Prices:
Parasailers – $85
Observers – $20

UPDATE: They no longer offer the fishing charters that we did, unfortunately.

For more information:
Phone: 410-289-4FUN
Address: 308 N 1st Street.

Below are some family-friendly places to eat. All of which have an outdoor sand area with playground equipment, allowing adults to enjoy themselves on the sidelines and imbibe or eat their meal at a normal pace because you aren’t rushed to get impatient children out of a restaurant. Each one of these are on the bayside so if you time it right you can be there for the sunset.

Ropewalk

Dead Freddie’s Island Grill

Fishtales

Big Eye Jacks

Sandy Spring Museum

In a city filled with Smithsonian-caliber museums it can be easy to overlook local history. The Washington Metro area has a rich history that goes beyond just being where Congress lives and our founding fathers memorials are. There are and have been families and everyday people here who share a unique and beautiful history. In 1981 a group of residents of Sandy Spring, Maryland saw that history slipping away and were determined enough to preserve at the Sandy Spring Museum. The museum hosts community artists, houses an archive and library, a gallery, and is also a space for events big and small.

The community of Sandy Spring has an important story to share – from agricultural innovation, women’s suffrage, and progressive education to the establishment of one of the largest land-owning African American communities in Maryland. The permanent exhibit at Sandy Spring Museum illustrates this rich local history through photographs, documents, and objects that were collected from the families of the community’s earliest residents. Temporary exhibits rotate quarterly

The 36th  annual Strawberry Festival helps to promote many of these goals. Each year it grows in scale physically, and in community participation. Last year over 6,000 people attended many to see family members perform, or to volunteer, or eat a piece of the “Best Strawberry Shortcake in the State of Maryland”.

The events at the festival vary from quaint to fantastic, from traditional kids games like throwing bean bags and rings to a huge climbing wall, moon bounce, pony rides and an entire petting zoo. Most of the games and rides are a few dollars but you can buy a bracelet for unlimited games all day for $15. What a steal!

You’ll also find food trucks with all sorts of cuisines, crafters, a beer and wine garden, two stages with live performances of professional and local talent, an enormous plant sale, raffles, artists doing en plein air paintings throughout the day.

Other events at the museum include a Beer and Wine Garden: Live music, locally-brewed beer and locally-produced wine, and food trucks…the ingredients for a perfect summer evening!  Join friends and neighbors at this family-friendly outdoor  picnic held on the last Fridays of June, July and August. Each month features a new band, new drink vendors and new food trucks. See the calendar of events for the list of participants. Cover charge is $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Save $5 and get your tickets now!

Folklife Festival:  The Folklife Festival is part of Montgomery County’s Heritage Days.  Each year, on the last weekend of June, Heritage Montgomery hosts its signature event, the annual Heritage Days celebration – this year marking its 20th anniversary! This two-day (Saturday, June 24 & Sunday, June 25, 2017 – noon to 4pm) countywide event with free admission offers visitors an opportunity to sample numerous sites representing the history, culture, and natural beauty of Montgomery County. This family-friendly festival is now in its fourth year.  RSVP here.

Nanty Narking Nearly Nine K Run which is a beautiful trail run and 2 Mile Fun Stroll that highlighted historic sites in the Sandy Spring community.
Address: 17901 Bentley Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10:00am-5:00pm
****Open year-round with the exception of December 25, January 1, and July 4

Admission: Members: Free, Adults: $5, Seniors: $4, Children (3-17): $3
****Admission is free for the general public on Wednesdays, excluding groups

2017 Guide to summer camps around Washington, DC

Once again I publish the annual summer camp guide and there is snow in the forecast. But alas, it’s time to start thinking about your summer plans…in January, as registration has started for some. We’ve highlighted some camps with detailed information and included links to other notable camps at the bottom of the post.  As always, add to this post by commenting with your own suggestion– first or second hand. Here’s to a fun and busy summer!

p_hero_int_soccer_17(Photo: Headfirst Summer Camp)

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