swim

Outdoor swimming pools in and around Washington, DC

July 19, 2020

Most of us are missing the typical summers of cooling off, meeting friends and practicing our strokes at our favorite pools. Below are limited options, some with options to join late in the summer while some have waitlists. There are several great pools in the area you can become a member of if you want a go-to place to splash around and become a regular swimmer at, offering you a sense of community as the number of members are typically capped at a low number. Many of these pools offer multiple pools and some have swim lessons and even swim teams during a regular season! If you aren’t looking for a paid membership at a pool, DC DPR has a pool for you, free of cost if you are a DC resident fingers crossed upon entry into phase 3 we may be able to access some of these pools. Pool goers this summer are being asked to make a reservation at most of the listed pools as well as minimize their time in opened locker rooms, and some are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets to outdoor pools. See each site for individual rules.

Omni Shoreham Hotel Pool (NW DC)
*Website not updated to reflect 2020, call for details (202) 234-0700.

Beauvoir Pool (NW DC)
*CLOSED FOR 2020

Cleveland Park Club (NW DC)
*Cleveland Park, North Cleveland Park and Woodley Park residents. Website does not state if there is a waitlist.

Living Well Health Club at Washington Hilton (NW DC)
*Currently closed. Health club and pool memberships.

JBAB Base Pool (SW DC)
*Active duty service members and Air Force club members receive free pool access during the entire swimming season. Swim passes available for purchase.

Montgomery County Maryland
*They have seven outdoor pools and are open to pass holders.

Tilden Woods Pool (Rockville, MD)
*The pool comes alive with activities for the entire family, both day and night. Swim in a heated pool, enjoy cookouts, raft nights, or relax in the sun or shade. They also have a top-ranked swim team. Website does not mention a waitlist.

Adelphi Pool (Hyattsville, MD)
*Waitlist

Northwest Branch Pool (Silver Spring, MD)
*Current waitlist time is approximately 2 years for new applicants applying.

Palisades Swim & Tennis Club (Cabin John, MD)
*Current waitlist time is approximately 8 to 10 years for new applicants applying.

Bannockburn Swim & Dive Club (Bethesda, MD)
*Website does not mention a waitlist.

Merrimack Pool (Bethesda, MD)
*Website does not mention a waitlist.

Carderock Springs Swim & Tennis Club (Bethesda, MD)
*To inquire about membership and/or to be put on a waiting list, contact the Club Membership Secretary Cari Ardrey

Mohican Swimming Pool (Bethesda, MD)
*Full Memberships are available to those applicants residing in the area encompassed by the Capital Crescent Trail, the Potomac River, Goldsboro Road, and River Road, or in the Town of Glen Echo. Individuals living outside of this zone may apply for late summer only memberships.

Old Farm (N Bethesda, MD)
*Website does not mention a waitlist.

Robin Hood Swim Club (Silver Spring, MD)
*Website does not mention a waitlist.

Potomac Woods (Rockville, MD)
*There are no geographical boundaries for membership. Website does not mention a waitlist.

Chevy Chase Recreation Association: CCRA (Chevy Chase, MD)
*Memberships may be offered only to those residing within a specific geographic area of Chevy Chase, Maryland. Permanent memberships are unrestricted, but have a waiting list of about 5-7 years while partial summer membership has a waitlist of 1-3 months.

Connecticut Belair Club (Silver Spring, MD)
*Only open to members at this time.

Tuckahoe Recreation Club (McLean, VA)
*Currently has a waiting list for full membership. This means that by applying now you may be admitted to membership in about 6 months.

Columbus Club (Arlington, VA)
*There is no wait list for the Columbus Club Pools. The only membership option available is the full family membership.

Arlington Forest Club (Arlington, VA)
*Has a waitlist of over 500 families.

WTOP released an article with information on pool openings in various counties in Virginia and Maryland, for more info read here.

2017 Guide to summer camps around Washington, DC

January 4, 2017

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)

[Read more…]

23 ideas for entertaining children after Daylight Savings Time

November 3, 2016

Most of us dread Daylight Savings Time. For parents, it’s a few months where our time spent outdoors comes to a halt and we wonder how to occupy the remainder of the evening with our children. And contrary to popular belief, the answer is not Benadryl =) Here are a few ideas I’ve compiled from readers and my own DST adventures to help you get out of the house with your Bambino(s) this winter. Don’t forget to check out our Indoor Fun Guide for other options!

Ideas for fun outside of your home-

1. Go for a dip at Wilson swimming pool.

2. Bloombars has evening performances.

3. Drop by a pet store to observe the animals and maybe see some dogs getting groomed.

4. DC Library holds late afternoon events.

5. Take a trip to Target or Whole Foods and walk the aisles. Try not to buy everything.

6. Cardoza High School Pool is opening their doors and allow the public to come swim.

7. Reserve a room at a public library and have a play date with friends.

8. Hotel lobbies can be fascinating, especially around the holidays. Plus, they have bathrooms.

9. Get creative at Treehouse Atelier, Little Loft Art, Anna Banana or All Fired Up.

10. Child’s Play or Barnes and Noble (Bethesda location closes Dec. 31, 2017) can be great places for your kids toys and books. Again, try not to buy everything =)

11. Go out to dinner at one of these DC restaurants that offer entertainment for kiddos.

12. Grab a flashlight and go on an adventure walk.

13. Check the bus route and take a random ride.

14. Fairmont Hotel has a piano and a pretty garden, is fairly tolerant of children climbing up and down the stairs and enjoying the lobby’s holiday decorations.

15. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage has free, daily shows that usually begin at 6:00pm. Catch the show or just part of it , explore and walk the long foyer and look at the mirrors, ramps, etc. Go outside onto the terrace and watch the cars on the bridge or boats on the water.

Ideas for indoor fun-

1. Bake or cook something with your Bambino(s).

2. Make a fort, add pillows and blankets and watch a movie or read stories.

3. Put on a play.

4. Arts and crafts can provide endless fun (put your OCD tendencies aside).

5. Make your own play doh.

6. Download some educational apps on your device and set a timer.

7. Have your child help organize/fold socks when you’re doing laundry.

8. Get bath paints or crayons and let your child get artsy and messy.

Indoor fun in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia

June 23, 2016

There’s an update to this post and it can be found here.

We figured we’d pull together some great indoor options for you and your kids in the Washington, DC metro area– plus some options up the road in Baltimore. So whether it’s raining, snowing — or just too cold or hot outside, here are some fantastic places to check out. They’ll keep your little ones engaged and might even tire them out enough to keep you happy. We’ll try to keep this list updated, so do add your suggestions to the comments below and we’ll keep building! Scroll all the way to the bottom as there are on-going lists of theatres, gyms and other great indoor spaces.

Washington, DC:

Skill Zone- (709 8th Street SE Washington, DC 20003)

SkillZone is a fun, fresh place to play and learn in Washington, DC., open for drop-in play time, classes, and private parties! A place in the city for children 6 & under. Registration is required.

Smithsonian Museum– (Various Locations)

Most are free of charge! Specific child-friendly areas in museums listed below.

U.S. Botanic Garden– (100 Maryland Ave SW)

Massive indoor exhibits, you can spend all day here. Check website as they occasionally have events such as cooking demonstrations, concerts, baby snuggler days and more.
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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.

Your 2014 guide to summer camps around Washington, DC

February 5, 2014

2016 Summer Camp Guide is available!

2015 Summer Camp Guide is available!

Yes, it’s still freezing outside, but most summer camps are currently accepting registrations. And knowing this area, the best ones will be out of space before spring even hits. To get you prepared, we’ve put together a guide to give you the scoop on Washington, DC area camps for summer 2014. We’ve highlighted a few that are worth a look and included links to others 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 summer!

Steve and Kates Camp
(Grace Episcopal School- 3601 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA 22305)
(Georgetown Day School- 4530 MacArthur Blvd, Washington, DC 20007)
If we could go to camp, this may be our first choice. Inflatable slip n slide, carnival on the last day and kid sized inflatable stadium for sports. This camp gives campers a choice where they step into a world packed with possibilities. One camper dives deep into stop-motion animation. Another discovers a passion for dance. Or chess. A camper becomes engrossed in making the perfect bread. Or developing Leo Messi-like touch on the soccer pitch. K thru 7th grade in the fall.

Levine Summer Music & Arts Day Camp at Katzen Arts Center at American University
(4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016)
This year’s theme: “A Musical Road Trip – Hear America Sing”. From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam, your child will visit the major centers of music in America. Summer camp offers top-notch instruction within a fun and collaborative environment for campers aged 3.5 – 12. Now in it’s 27th year, Levine’s camp offers kids an incredible musical education during each of its two, three-week sessions.

Lowell School Camp
(1640 Kalmia Rd NW., Washington, DC. 20012)
Their respectful and caring atmosphere encourages campers, ages 3 to 14, 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. [Read more…]

This week’s adventures: Mr. Skip, Art Workshop & Storyville

February 3, 2014

We wanted to thank everyone for the overwhelming support we continue to receive! We love finding the areas top picks to share with you. We are working on a summer camp wrap up post and will publish it by the end of the week, so stay tuned. Please continue to share, like and comment as we would love to reach more of you and learn about how we can better serve your needs.

Monday, Feb. 3

9:30am- Harambe at BloomBars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community.

9:00am-9:00pm- Storyville (Monday-Friday & weekends)
(6105 Kenwood Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21237)
(1811 Woodlawn Drive Woodlawn, Maryland 21207)
Baltimore libraries opened Storyville for children 0-5, an interactive early literacy and learning center in two locations, Rosedale and Woodlawn. In Storyville, they have created an incredibly well-designed mini-village, complete with a post office, grocery store, house, theatre, construction zone, and a library (each area includes themed books available for check-out). Free!

12:00pm-9:00pm- Leisure Pool at Cub Run RECenter (Monday-Friday & weekends)
(4630 Stonecroft Blvd. Chantilly, VA 20151)
With a zero-depth entry and plenty of play features, this is the perfect pool for children. This 4,860 square foot leisure pool is equipped with an in-water playground, numerous spray features, a current channel (lazy river), vortex, open area for classes and lessons, and two waterslides, including one 50 foot fully enclosed slide that exits the building and reenters at the bottom. The whirlpool spa overlooks the leisure pool.

12:00pm-9:00pm- Ice Skating at the National Harbour in Georgetown (Monday-Friday & weekends; hours may vary)
(3000 K St NW, Washington, DC.)
It’s not too late to lace up those skates & take your bambino ice skating. Open all week & on weekends. After you skate you can walk up to Baked & Wired to taste DC’s BEST cupcakes (in our opinion at least!) [Read more…]