| August 2024

Fall Program Registration Begins Monday, Aug. 12

Autumn is right around the corner and that means fall registration for our programs and classes begins this month with some important changes to be aware of.

Registration will kick off on Monday, Aug. 12, at 6:30 a.m. 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. 

Aquatics program registration has been moved to Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 6:30 a.m.

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

On Aug. 12, in-person registration will be available at 8:30 a.m. at the administrative office in Wheaton. On Tuesday, Aug. 13, the office will open at 6:30 a.m. for in person registration support. 

Registration support is also available, in-person, at all other Montgomery County Recreation facilities during regular business hours. 

While online registration is encouraged, registration will also be available by mail, drop-off or in-person. For more information about registration, visit the website or call the customer service team at 240-777-6840.

Dominique Dawes Sculpture Unveiled at Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center

Last month we welcomed Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes to celebrate the unveiling of a statue in her honor at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (SSRAC).

"With the Olympic Games underway, and Simone Biles competing in her third Olympics Games, the timing of the statue unveiling couldn't be better,” said Dawes. “As the last American gymnast to compete and medal in three Olympic Games, I am humbled and honored to know that my journey of grit and perseverance has inspired many. I came from humble beginnings, and I have never lost sight of what matters most and that is the ability to impact future generations. This statue is part of my legacy, and I hope each time a young boy or girl walks by, they too realize that anything is possible when you choose to work hard and never give up striving to be the best that you can be. Thank you to Brian Hanlon, the super talented sculptor, Councilmember Gabe Albornoz for believing that this statue can inspire future generations and to God for giving me that talent and wisdom to always trust in Him." 

Ms. Dawes, a Montgomery County native, was the first Black woman on the United States gymnastics team and the first Black woman gymnast to win an individual Olympic medal. Born in Silver Spring, she is a three-time Olympic medalist (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000) and the owner and CEO of the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics and Ninja Academies. Ms. Dawes opened the gyms to continue her commitment to developing a healthy and compassionate culture in the sport of gymnastics. She has inspired many young people in the area and throughout the U.S.

Ms. Dawes is the mother of four young children. Her gyms provide a positive outlet for both children and adults to participate and thrive. Her first academy opened in the midst of a global pandemic, in July 2020, her second location opened in 2023, and she will be opening her third in 2024 in Columbia. Ms. Dawes’ passion has always been to educate and empower families, women and young girls on issues related to physical and mental health. She has been a national ambassador for several nonprofit organizations and corporations.

The sculpture was completed by artist Brian Hanlon, a classically trained master sculptor and founder of Hanlon Sculpture Studio in Toms River, NJ. With more than 300 public and private art pieces, he is a nationally recognized artist specializing in bronze statues and plazas.

The newly opened 120,000-square-foot Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center is located at 1319 Apple Avenue. It offers recreation and leisure activities, including pools designed for general swimming, low-level diving, exercise, aquatic play, training and teaching opportunities. The center also features a gymnasium, fitness center, movement and dance studios, multipurpose activity rooms, staff offices, a teaching kitchen, café, a new home for the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame, public use space and social space. For more information on the SSRAC, visit the website.

Join MoCoRec for Flag Football this Fall

Welcome to the Montgomery County Recreation NFL Flag Football League!

Our league offers an exciting, non-contact alternative to traditional tackle football, promoting fitness, teamwork and fun for all participants. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the sport, our league provides a fantastic opportunity to engage in friendly competition, improve your skills and make lasting memories. Registration is now underway with locations in Burtonsville, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Potomac and Wheaton. This program is offered for ages 6-15 and costs just $60.  There will be five weeks of games and practice on Sundays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Practices will be one hour before game time.

Teams and divisions will be established after the registration period ends.

Maryland Senior Olympics Underway!

Photo Credit: Maryland Senior Olympics

Are you in the Olympic spirit and want to compete in some of your favorite sports and events? The Maryland Senior Olympics (MSO) are underway and there is still time to register for a variety of events in 2024. 

Since 1980, the Maryland Senior Olympics have provided great competition and camaraderie with many advancing to the National Senior Games.

Each year, MSO offers around 100 events through two dozen sports in age groups of 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and so forth. The top three finishers in each event win medals; every odd year is a qualifying year for the National Senior Games.

You don’t have to be a world-class athlete to compete in the Maryland Senior Olympics. The motto is, “To Participate Is to Win!” Athletes compete because of the fellowship and friendships, personal challenge and for the competitive nature.

In Episode 6 of the Inside Recreation podcast, host Carmen Berrios Martinez speaks with Stacy Sigler, a Recreation Supervisor on our Senior Programs team at Montgomery County Recreation, about the Maryland Senior Olympics and how County residents can compete, have fun, make friends, and go for the gold. You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel.

Events still to come this year include Archery, Badminton, Billiards, Bocce, Cornhole, Diving, Shuffleboard, Swimming and more. 

Outdoor Pool Season Gets Ready to Wrap Up

We're almost ready for the post-season at our Montgomery County Recreation outdoor pools. 

Make sure to visit the website for schedule updates. Items to note in the post-season, beginning Monday, Aug. 12: 

• Weekday hours change to 1 - 7 p.m. 
• Weekend hours change to noon - 6 p.m. 
• The Upper County Outdoor Pool's last open day will be Sunday, Aug. 18 (a reminder that the pool is also closed on Fridays) 
• All pools are closed Aug. 26 - 30.
• Labor Day Holiday Sessions will be Monday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 3 - 6 p.m. 

It's not too late to get a punch pass to use for the remainder of the summer! Check out all aquatics memberships available here. 

Pooch Pool Party Returns Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25

We're closing the pool to humans and opening it to dogs! Our annual summer Pooch Pool Party is back at Upper County Outdoor Pool in Gaithersburg on Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bring your furry friend and join us for fun in the sun and the water! Dogs will be allowed to swim and frolic at the pool before it is closed and cleaned for the winter.

Registration, with a $10 fee, as well as written proof of current rabies vaccination are required for admission. Each dog must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

Check out our video from last year’s event.

Join MoCoRec at the Inaugural Big Bloom Music Festival

Photo Credit: Strathmore

Looking for a family-friendly music festival? Montgomery County Recreation has you covered. Join us this Saturday, Aug. 10, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. for the first Big Bloom Festival at Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center.

There will be live performances from soul vocalist Deborah Bond celebrating the legacy of Luther Vandross and Elijah Jamal Balbed & The Jogo Project, a jazz and go-go fusion band. There will also be food trucks, County resources, a moon bounce and activities for kids.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Parking is available at the Good Hope United Church and along Twig Road. Registration is not required.

The Big Bloom Festival is a part of the Bloom at Good Hope concert series designed to expand access to the arts through community collaborations and partnerships. The concerts are made possible through a partnership with Strathmore. For the last five years, concerts have taken place on the second Saturday of every month starting in spring and continuing through December.

Mark your calendars for the final performances of this season’s Bloom at Good Hope concert series:

• Saturday, Sept. 14, The Sweater Set
• Saturday, Oct. 12, Snehesh Nag, Becky Hill & Nadia Pessoa
• Saturday, Nov. 9, Cristian Perez & The Guitar Renegades
• Saturday, Dec. 14, Elijah Jamal Balbed & The Jogo Project

For more information check out the Strathmore website.  

Upcoming Events with Montgomery County Recreation