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Dive into May with Montgomery County Recreation

Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 05/07/2024 04:00 PM EDT

| May 2024

Summer Program Registration Begins Monday, May 13!

Four boys smiling for a photo while swimming at the pool

Montgomery County Recreation’s summer program registration begins at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, May 13, for County residents for most programs and activities! Registration for Bone Builders, Day Trippers and Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR) will begin at 9 a.m.

Non-County residents will be able to register for Recreation’s summer programs beginning at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15.

Programs are tailored to a variety of interests, skill levels and ages, and include fitness, sports, visual and performing arts, therapeutic recreation, adult 55+ programming and more. There are hundreds of programs that promote an active, healthier lifestyle. Programs, and the digital GUIDE, are now viewable online.

While online registration is encouraged, registration will also be available by mail, drop-off or in-person. On May 13, in-person registration will be available at 6:30 a.m. at the County’s aquatic centers and at the administrative offices in Wheaton. For more information about registration, visit the website or call the customer service team at 240-777-6840.

Applications are 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 throughout the 2024 calendar year.

Have questions about the registration process? Make sure to listen to a recent episode of Montgomery County Recreation’s newly launched podcast Inside Recreation, where host Carmen Berrios Martinez spoke with Montgomery County Recreation Countywide Programs Manager Amanda DeFilippo and Customer Service Representative Michelle Martinez (in Spanish) about what County residents should know about the process.

New Refund Policy Effective May 13

Montgomery County Recreation will be implementing a new refund policy, effective Monday, May 13. Here are a few important things to know:

Refund requests for classes, camps, leagues, trips and tours must be submitted 14 days prior to the start of an activity to receive a full refund. Refund requests submitted after the start of an activity or posted league schedule will not be issued a refund.
Refund requests for rentals must be submitted 30 days prior to the event date for a full refund. Refund requests submitted on or after the rental date will not be issued a refund.
Refund requests will not be issued for memberships, classes, sessions or games missed by the participant, or for when make-up sessions are offered.
Credit card payments are returned to the original credit card that was used for payment. Credit card refunds that cannot be returned to the original credit card used for payment will be returned by check. All other forms of payments are returned by check.
Participants shall submit withdrawal/refund requests through one of the following:
- Online at http://activemontgomery.org/ if within the withdrawal time frame.
- With an email to Rec.FinanceOffice@montgomerycountymd.gov.
- In person with signature at Montgomery County Recreation's Administrative Offices, 2425 Reedie Dr., 10th Floor, Wheaton.

View the complete refund policy online. If you registered for a program prior to May 13, you are eligible for the Department's previous refund policy.

Get to Know the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center

Our latest episode of our podcast, Inside Recreation, focused all on the amazing amenities and programming available at the new Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (SSRAC). Host Carmen Berrios Martinez spoke with Montgomery County Recreation Aquatics Manager Carrie Headen and SSRAC Program Manager Angie Walker.

The podcast provides the community with another way to get information and updates from the department. You can listen to Inside Recreation on a variety of platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Buzzsprout and more. You can also watch this episode of Inside Recreation on our YouTube channel.

The SSRAC is going to be busy in May as the open gym schedule is packed with activities, including pickleball, basketball, volleyball, badminton and futsal. All participants below the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Make sure to sign up for our FREE RecFit pass, which gives County residents access to all of our fitness centers and open gym activities. To get yours, visit any Montgomery County Recreation center and provide proof of residency. The free RecFit pass does not include access to aquatic centers.

The Silver Spring Senior Center offers a wide variety of programs and services for County residents ages 55 and older. Exercise, health, sports, education, wellness and social activities are provided on a daily basis.

A few highlighted classes this month include:

Djembe Drum Circle, Thursdays from 10 - 11 a.m. (Social Hall, Lobby)
Intro to Mixed Media Structure, Tuesdays from 10 - 11:30 a.m. (Art Room, 3rd Floor)
Health in Action, Wednesdays from 1 - 2 p.m. (Activity Room 2, 3rd Floor)

Our aquatic programming at the SSRAC is also in full swing! The center has a competition pool, leisure pool, recreation pool and two hot tubs. Amenities include diving boards, slides, a splash area and an aquatic rock-climbing wall. Accessibility features include ramps, elevators, ladders and lifts. Check out the weekly pool schedule to help you plan for your next visit. Water fitness classes are also now available.

Make sure to read up on information about our pool passes and approved swim attire so that way you have more time to enjoy once you arrive.

Outdoor Pools Opening Memorial Day Weekend

Two women smiling for a photo while riding inner tubes on a lazy river at the pool

Montgomery County Recreation’s outdoor pool season begins Saturday, May 25, at noon. Make sure to check out the pool schedule online.

Daily admission is $5 for County residents ages 1-17, $7 for adults, and $6 for seniors (ages 55 and over). Daily admission is $20 for non-County residents. Summer pool passes are available for purchase and are valid from May 25 to September 2.

During the preseason, May 25 – June 14, outdoor pool hours are noon - 6 p.m. on weekends.

Residents are encouraged to become familiar with the safety rules posted at the pools. Children are most at risk for water-related accidents and it is important that they are always closely supervised while in and around the pool. Because safety is a priority, it may be necessary to temporarily halt admission to pools when capacity is reached. Additional swimmers will be admitted as soon as space becomes available.

Pool visitors are allowed to bring food and drinks to the pool. However, they must follow the rules/regulations, which includes no glass, no barbecues, no alcohol and that all coolers will be inspected.

For additional information about pool passes, amenities and hours of operations at all swimming pools, visit the website. Follow Montgomery County Recreation on Facebook and X for the latest updates.

Make sure to sign up for Rec Alerts to get real time updates about our outdoor pools. When inclement weather hits, some Montgomery County Recreation facilities may be closed or on a delayed opening, events and program cancellations may occur, athletic fields may close, and there may be other weather alerts that you need to know. Be prepared for last-minute changes and emergencies.

Showcasing Our Services: Art with Tatiana Martin

A picture of Tatiana smiling while holding a paint brush towards a painting

Since moving to the United States in 2000, Tatiana Martin has enjoyed a fruitful journey working with Montgomery County Recreation, bringing her skills as a professional artist to teach fine arts in the County. Early on, Martin taught drawing and painting classes for adults at several recreation centers.

“My focus has always been on helping students to grow artistically,” Martin said. “It is important to help students grow a step at a time and gradually develop more skills. It is essential to learn the steps and techniques of working on an art project no matter if you are just starting school, want to learn a new way of expressing yourself, get a new hobby, or get back into art because you always wanted to paint or draw.”

Martin eventually had a desire to teach classes to a younger generation. Not only did she end up offering fine arts classes for youth at several of our recreation centers, but in 2013 she became involved with Montgomery County Recreation’s Excel Beyond the Bell afterschool program where she, to this day, teaches students a variety of art styles at middle and elementary schools.

“I got involved with this amazing program because I believe that our kids are our future and we need to invest more resources into them,” Martin explained. “We need to nurture, guide, teach and support them in their journey every step of the way so they can achieve, excel and exceed their goals and potential.”

Martin also acknowledged the importance of learning new skills, making new friends and having fun that students yearn for, especially coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Martin said she is glad that her classes, through Excel Beyond the Bell, can allow students to chase after goals and dreams that they might not have thought were possible.

More than two decades after arriving to a new country and working with Montgomery County Recreation, Martin said she is thrilled to continue to be affiliated with the department.

“It is my honor and privilege to teach and guide the students,” Martin said. “I am very grateful to be a part of the amazing dedicated and professional team of Montgomery County Recreation, which I consider my family.”

Learn more about Excel Beyond the Bell and all of our youth development programs on our website. Check out some of Martin's available art classes now through ActiveMONTGOMERY.

Join MoCoRec at White Oak Day on Saturday, June 1

Listen to Great Music this Month with MoCoRec

A woman sings while two men play instruments behind her at a concert

Looking for some great music and good vibrations this month? Join Montgomery County Recreation for Carpe Diem Arts' Cultural Heritage Free Concert Series in May to celebrate Asian Pacific American Month and Jewish American Month. From standout vocalists to talented instrumentalists, these will be performances you do not want to miss.

Friday, May 10 at Marilyn J. Praisner CRC from 6 to 7 p.m., featuring Somapa Thai Dance Company and Vladimir Fridman.
Saturday, May 11 at Gwendolyn E. Coffield CRC from noon to 1 p.m., featuring Alif Laila (Sitar) & Aubrey Kulkarni (Tabla) and Seth Kibel & Harry Appelman.
Sunday, May 19 at Plum Gar CRC from 2 to 3 p.m., featuring Chao Tian and Seth Kibel & Sean Lane.
Wednesday, May 22 at Long Branch CRC from 11 a.m. to noon, featuring Kyoko Okamoto and Caron Dale.

Also make sure to join us for this month's Bloom at Good Hope Concert Series, presented by Strathmore, which will feature folk musician Kevin Elam on Saturday, May 11 from 5 to 6 p.m., at Good Hope NRC.

Travel Training Workshops Continue

A group of senioruss smiling for a picture in front of a Ride On B

Seniors throughout Montgomery County have been participating this spring in free Travel Training workshops, provided by the Jewish Council for The Aging (JCA), where they learn about taking public transportation to get around the County.

Travel Training is a free half-day workshop and field trip presented by JCA Connect-A-Ride that helps residents 50 and older become confident in using the County's Ride On buses and the Metro train and bus system. The workshop combines classroom training with bus and train trips.

Want to join in on the travel fun? Upcoming Travel Training workshops will be held:

Thursday, May 16 - Wheaton Senior Center
Wednesday, July 17 - Rockville Senior Center (City of Rockville)

The workshop at Wheaton Senior Center will include a tour of the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center. Workshops run from 9 a.m. to noon. To learn more and to register, contact JCA’s Connect-A-Ride at 301-738-3252 or connectaride@accessjca.org.

Upcoming Events with Montgomery County Recreation

A pool on a sunny day with blue skies and adults and children swimming in it

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

Friday, May 10: Cultural Heritage Free Concert Series - Asian Pacific American and Jewish American Month, 6 - 7 p.m. at Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center
Saturday, May 11: Tiny Lil Ones Carnival, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Clara Barton Recreation Center
Saturday, May 11: Cultural Heritage Free Concert Series - Asian Pacific American and Jewish American Month, 12 - 1 p.m. at Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Recreation Center
Saturday, May 11: Bloom at Good Hope Concert Series: Kevin Elam, 5 – 6 p.m. at Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center
Monday, May 13: Summer Program Registration Begins, 6:30 a.m. for County Residents
Monday, May 13: Comedy Show – Alan Ames Thinks He’s Funny, 10 – 11 a.m. at Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center
Monday, May 13: Countywide Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Meeting, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton
Friday, May 17: Community Unity Event, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Plum Gar Community Recreation Center
Sunday, May 19: Chevy Chase Spring Festival, 12 - 2:30 p.m. at Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center
Sunday, May 19: Cultural Heritage Free Concert Series - Asian Pacific American and Jewish American Month, 2 - 3 p.m. at Plum Gar Community Recreation Center
Wednesday, May 22: Cultural Heritage Free Concert Series - Asian Pacific American and Jewish American Month, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Long Branch Community Recreation Center
Saturday, May 25: Outdoor Pools Open, 12 p.m.

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