| June 2024

Recreation's Outdoor Pools Now Open for the Season!

Montgomery County Recreation’s outdoor pool season is underway! During the preseason, now through June 14, outdoor pool hours are noon to 6 p.m. on weekends only. Make sure to check out the pool schedule online.

Residents of Montgomery County receive a discount for pool admission with proof of residency. 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 through Sept. 2.

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.

Summer Program Registration Underway

Montgomery County Recreation’s summer program registration is underway! Summer programs and activities 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.

Visit ActiveMONTGOMERY to register. You can also explore available offerings in our digital GUIDE. It's also not too late to sign your child up for summer camp!

For more information about registration, visit the website or call the customer service team at 240-777-6840.

Things to Know for the Start of Camp Season

Feeling both excited, and perhaps anxious, as your family gets ready for the start of summer camps? Montgomery County Recreation has you covered!

The latest episode of our podcast, Inside Recreation, focuses on what parents should know ahead of our MoCoRec summer camps beginning on Monday, June 24, as well as the exciting opportunities for teenagers throughout the County with a variety of Teen Camps, Teen Days Out events and student service-learning opportunities.

Host Carmen Berrios Martinez speaks with Montgomery County Recreation Youth Development Manager Marhonda Williams and Countywide Programs Recreation Supervisor Derrick Felton to gain some insight as we head into this extremely busy season.

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 Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. You can also watch this episode of Inside Recreation on our YouTube channel.

New Refund Policy Now in Effect

Montgomery County Recreation has implemented a new refund policy. 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 policy online. 

Get Ready for our Independence Day Celebrations

Montgomery County is once again holding two free Independence Day fireworks displays, one on Thursday, July 4 and the other on Saturday, July 6!

Thursday, July 4: Germantown Glory at South Germantown Recreational Park, 18041 Central Park Circle, Boyds. Live music will begin at 7 p.m. featuring Central City Orchestra. On-site parking is available.

Saturday, July 6: Mid-County Sparkles at Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Road, Kensington. Live music will begin at 6 p.m. featuring Joe Falero and Downtown Sound. Only handicap parking is available at the high school. Ride On shuttle services will be available from Westfield Wheaton starting at 5:30 p.m.

The fireworks displays will begin approximately at 9:15 p.m. at both celebrations. The timing of the fireworks may change due to weather conditions. Lawn chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome at both events. There will be food vendors at both locations.

The celebrations are family friendly events. The County prohibits alcoholic beverages and smoking. Pets are also not allowed. 

Reminder: KSAC to Close June 28 for Renovations

Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center (KSAC) will close on June 28, 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 now through Labor Day. 

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

Honoring History at Bette Carol Thompson Scotland NRC

As Montgomery County gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth, we're taking a moment to reflect and look back at the history of the Bette Carol Thomspon Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center. 

Scotland NRC was completely rebuilt in 2014. The recreation center offers residents of all ages a variety of programs and experiences including yoga, sports, cooking, music, dance, community celebrations and seasonal events.

The history of Scotland can be traced back to the Reconstruction Era. In 1880, William Dove purchased 36 acres of land for 210 dollars at a public auction. William Dove, a formerly enslaved farm worker, was the first black man to own land in Potomac, MD. Over the next few years, other families purchased land and became the founding members of the Scotland community.

The center participates in the annual Juneteenth Heritage Festival, organized by the Scotland community, which is the largest Juneteenth festival in the DMV region. What started as a community passion project has grown into a multiday celebration honoring the heritage of Scotland in Montgomery County and Juneteenth. 

“The core of this event is the Scotland community,” said Montgomery County Recreation Specialist Ron Martin, who also serves as Director of the Bette Carol Thompson Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center. “It started as an outreach project focused on educating the community on Scotland’s history and has grown exponentially since. The community’s passion and dedication are the driving force behind this event.”

The festival honors the rich cultural heritage of Scotland and Juneteenth while supporting the restoration of the 100-year-old Scotland AME Zion Church. The church was hand-built in 1924 and was shut down in 2019 after a flood devastated the area. Located in the heart of Scotland, the church is a symbol of struggle, triumph and resiliency.  

In April 2023 Scotland NRC was celebrated as a new “resiliency hub.” The resiliency hub is designed to provide a haven for the historically Black community by keeping the center powered during electrical grid outages.

The program installed a new rooftop solar system, a battery storage system, a natural gas generator and an LED lighting retrofit to the facility.

Several community benefits include: 

• Providing space – heating or cooling – that allows people to stay cool or warm during weather emergencies.
• The ability to charge cell phones, laptops and other devices.
• The ability to refrigerate temperature sensitive items (i.e., important medications, milk from nursing mothers, etc.).
• Helps the County advance its greenhouse gas reduction goals by providing clean, renewable energy to the center during normal day-to-day operations.

Kefa Café Now Open at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center

Montgomery County Recreation is proud to partner once again with Kefa Café at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center.

A staple for the community in Silver Spring, you can now enjoy coffee, pastries and more when you're visiting the brand-new center at 1319 Apple Ave. For everything you need to know before heading to the center, visit our website. 

Upcoming Events with Montgomery County Recreation