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March into Spring with Montgomery County Recreation

Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 03/05/2024 04:00 PM EST

| March 2024

Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center Now Open

A packed crowd at the new SSRAC facility on opening day

Montgomery County Recreation celebrated the grand opening of the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (SSRAC) on Saturday, Feb. 24. Hundreds of County residents joined in on the festivities of this brand-new facility.

The day started with a ribbon cutting ceremony in the morning, which featured several guest speakers. Following the ceremony, guests were treated to tours of the SSRAC as well as a variety of demonstrations and activities that County residents can come to expect in the center's programming. Several features of the new center include pools for general swimming and aquatic play, a gymnasium, an indoor playground for children, dance studios, multipurpose activity rooms and more.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable event! If you couldn't join us, view the photos from the grand opening on Flickr and watch our YouTube video where we spoke with several County residents who shared their thoughts of the new facility.

The SSRAC is located at 1319 Apple Ave., across the street from the Cameron Street Garage (Garage 7; 8530 Cameron St, Silver Spring) and is within walking distance from the Silver Spring metro station. For more information, including hours of operations, the pool and gym schedules and memberships, visit our website.

The Olympic sized swim pool at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center

Spring Program Registration Underway

A spring registration is underway banner with a woman painting outside

Registration for spring programs is underway! From offerings including aquatics, sports, fitness, visual and performing arts, therapeutic recreation, adult 55+ programming and more, there are hundreds of programs and activities that promote an active, healthier lifestyle and are tailored to a variety of interests, skills levels and ages.

Applications are currently being accepted for Recreation’s financial assistance program, Rec Assist, which provides eligible County residents with $400 per eligible family member to use toward Recreation programs and activities.

Registration for 2024 summer camps is also underway at activemontgomery.org. Montgomery County Recreation camps offer a broad range of summer programs located throughout the County. You can build your own guide or view the digital guides here. For more information, visit the website or call our customer service team at 240-777-6840.

And mark your calendars for upcoming registration dates for Montgomery County Recreation programs and activities:

Summer – May 13 (Programs Viewable Online May 3)
Fall – Aug. 12 (Programs Viewable Online Aug. 2)
Winter – Nov. 12 (Programs Viewable Online Nov. 1)

Registration for non-County residents will open two days after the initial registration. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m.

Save the Date for the Project Prom Dress Giveaway

A girl picking out a dress at the Project Prom Dress event

Montgomery County Recreation is helping make the dream of attending prom for County high school students a reality. During the third “Project Prom Dress” giveaway event students will be able to choose from gently used and new dresses, suits, shoes and accessories at Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Items will be dry cleaned and displayed in a special formal boutique at the Center. On the day of the event, any high school with their I.D. card will be able to “shop the racks” and select an outfit. More than 160 students attended the event in 2023.

Still have an item to donate? A special collection date will take place Saturday, March 9, at Germantown Community Recreation Center from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Project Prom Dress seeks to eliminate the financial obstacle of attending prom, which for many students, turns out to be one of the most memorable days of high school. View photos from last year’s giveaway event through Montgomery County Recreation’s Flickr album.

Showcasing Our Services: Excel Beyond the Bell with Francis Lotz

Francis Lotz teaching at EBBE at Burnt Mills Elementary School.

When Francis Lotz joined Burnt Mills Elementary School’s staff as a math teacher, he wanted to connect with his students in the classroom by also getting to know them in a more relaxed environment.

Francis has helped lead the school’s Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary (EBBE) program and said that working with Montgomery County Recreation's EBBE has given him the opportunity to also be a mentor for students. From chess, sports, arts and more, Burnt Mills students are given an array of options to participate in at EBBE.

“I am thankful for Montgomery County Recreation bringing the EBBE program to Burnt Mills,” Francis said. “For our students, it means a meal after a long day of school, structured activities that enhance their learning and recreational activities. Many of these sessions teach teamwork, fairness and sportsmanship and expose students to activities that they might not otherwise take part in.”

Thank you to Francis and all our other contractors who have made a difference to students throughout the County by playing a pivotal role in helping expand access to safe and fun spaces through our afterschool programs.

Work with Montgomery County Recreation this Summer

MoCoRec staffers smiling for a picture behind a table at a job fair

Our summer camp season is right around the corner and we’re looking for energetic individuals with a passion for recreation to join our team! Want to learn more about available positions and how to apply? Join Montgomery County Recreation this spring as the department will hold several job fairs:

Friday, March 8, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Long Branch Community Recreation Center
Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center
Saturday, March 9, 3 – 5:30 p.m. at Germantown Community Recreation Center
Tuesday, March 12, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at White Oak Community Recreation Center
Thursday, April 4, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Upper County Community Recreation Center
Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center
Saturday, April 6, 3 – 5:30 p.m. at East County Community Recreation Center

Applicants should bring their resumes, come dressed for success and be prepared to discuss their experience. The department is looking for dedicated, hardworking and motivated individuals. Applicants should note these job fairs are not job or location specific. Applicants may attend any job fair regardless of where they are seeking to work in the County.

The part-time/seasonal pay rate begins at $16.70 an hour and increases based on experience. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the start of camps (lifeguards must be at least 15). Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

As a condition of employment, applicants will be required to pass a criminal background investigation. The investigation will include state, federal and sex offender background checks.

Check out our Podcast, Inside Recreation!

Montgomery County Recreation has launched a podcast! Inside Recreation will introduce listeners to members of the Montgomery County Recreation team and help you learn about all the great programs and services offered.

Our inaugural episode features Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley as she speaks about her journey working in the department, her passion for the field of recreation and more.

The podcast provides community members with another way to get information and updates from the department. You can listen to Inside Recreation on a variety of platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Index and Buzzsprout.

Enjoy Great Music This Month with MoCoRec

A female singer performs with a bassist and drummer accompanying her a concert.

Are you ready to start March off on the right note? Carpe Diem Arts’ Cultural Heritage Concert Series continues, and the Bloom at Good Hope concert series return this month.

Montgomery County Recreation, in partnership with Carpe Diem Arts, is putting on a Cultural Heritage Series over the course of the next several months. The series was made possible through a grant provided by the National Endowment of the Arts, with the intent to offer high quality, diverse concerts to increase connection and promote greater understanding and respect. The series kicked off in February with four performances to celebrate Black History Month and continues in March with the theme: Irish American and Greek American.

Cultural Heritage Concerts scheduled for March include:

Sunday, March 2, 2 – 3 p.m. at Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Recreation Center, Jody Marshall + Melos (Spyros Koliavasilis and Niko Mitreone)
Thursday, March 14, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, Just In Time + Melos (Spyros Koliavasilis and Niko Mitreone)
Wednesday, March 20, 11 a.m. – Noon at Long Branch Community Recreation Center, Seán Heely and Abbie Palmer + Karpouzi Trio (Spyros Koliavasili, Margaret Loomis, Len Newman)
Sunday, March 24, 1 – 2 p.m. at Plum Gar Community Recreation Center, Karen Ashbrook and Pauls Oorts + Stavros Blicas and Theologos Fragkos

A singer performs with her band at our Bloom Concert at Good Hope

Bloom at Good Hope concerts are designed to expand access to the arts through community collaborations and partnerships. For the last five years, Strathmore has partnered with Montgomery County Recreation to host a spring and summer concert series at Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center.

The next round of Bloom at Good Hope concert series will open on Saturday, March 9, with Rochelle Rice and beheld. Concerts begin at 5 p.m. and are free for the public to attend.

See the scheduled lineup for this season’s Bloom at Good Hope Concert series:

Saturday, April 13, Joshua Jenkins: Brazil and Cuba in Harmony
Saturday, May 11, Kevin Elam, Folk Music for All Ages
Saturday, June 8, Afrobeat-Fusion Percussion with Tosin Aribisala
Saturday, July 13, Modern Cuban Charanga Ensemble with Ceylon Mitchell and Raíces Negras
Saturday, Aug. 10, Luther Vandross Tribute with Soul/R&B Vocalist Deborah Bond

For more information, check out the Strathmore website.

Save the Date: The Rec Regatta Sets Sail on April 27

A man and woman paddle their cardboard boat across a pool

Showcase your creativity and join us at the Olney Swim Center for this year’s Rec Regatta on Saturday, April 27 from Noon to 3 p.m. Participants will make their own cardboard boats in advance and compete to see which boat goes the fastest and survives the longest before sinking! Awards will be given for the fastest boat, best design, team spirit and more.

Boats and paddles may only be created from clean cardboard and duct tape and must hold two people. The bottom of boat may not be covered with duct tape. Boats may be a maximum width of five feet and a maximum length of seven feet. Family groups can have all ages participate in boat creation, but must be 10 or older to be in the boat.

All ages are welcome! Registration is $10 per boat and can be completed online here: ActiveMONTGOMERY.

KSAC to Close for Renovations

Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center (KSAC) will close on June 28, 2024, for renovations. The project, led by the County’s Department of General Services (DGS) is expected to last at least two years.

Annual passes will continue to be valid at all County indoor and outdoor pools. We have indoor facilities located in Olney, Germantown, Silver Spring and White Oak. Our seven outdoor pools are located throughout the County and are open between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

You can view DGS’ progress on this project at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DGS-BDC/MMC/721503.html.

Upcoming Events with Montgomery County Recreation

Several students lining up as they model down the runway

We have a lot of great events planned at our Montgomery County Recreation facilities! Make sure to check out the full calendar on our website.

Friday, March 8, County Cup Futsal Finale
Friday, March 8, March Madness Friday Night Hoops, 5 - 9 p.m. at White Oak Community Recreation Center
Saturday, March 9, Bloom at Good Hope Concert Series: Rochelle Rice & beheld, 5 – 6 p.m. at Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center
Thursday, March 14, Cultural Heritage Concert Series – Irish American and Greek American, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center
Friday, March 15, March Madness Friday Night Hoops, 5 - 9 p.m. at White Oak Community Recreation Center
Monday, March 18, Countywide Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Meeting, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton
Wednesday, March 20, Cultural Heritage Concert Series – Irish American and Greek American, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Long Branch Community Recreation Center
Friday, March 22, March Madness Friday Night Hoops, 5 - 9 p.m. at White Oak Community Recreation Center
Friday, March 22, Fashion Boot Camp Finale, 7 – 9 p.m. at East County Community Recreation Center
Sunday, March 24, Cultural Heritage Concert Series – Irish American and Greek American, 1 – 2 p.m. at Plum Gar Community Recreation Center
Thursday, March 28, Innovative Contractors Fair, 4:30 – 7 p.m. at Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center - Montgomery County Recreation utilizes contractors to provide recreation services. Instructors teach arts and crafts, music, dance, cooking, fitness, sports, camps and other programming. This event will make it easy for you to showcase your program, receive feedback and start the process of becoming a contractor. Sessions are 30 minutes in length; you will have 15 minutes to share your program with a staff panel, followed by a quick question and answer session.
Saturday, March 30, Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza, 11 a.m. - 1p.m. at Damascus Community Recreation Center

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