The DC Department of Parks and Recreation operates parks, community and recreation centers, pools, and fitness centers throughout the city. A vast array of classes are available, ranging from swimming to hip hop to reading clubs, with choices for everyone from preschool age through seniors. Before and afterschool care and camps are available at many community centers as well.

Founded in 1979, Imagination Stage is the region's leading theater arts organization dedicated to children, serving 100,000 children and their families per year through professional theater productions, diverse classes, and camps. Plays and musicals are staged year-round in the 400-seat Lerner Family Theatre, and the StoryTheatre Series for pre-schoolers is presented in the smaller Reeve Studio Theatre.

Classes in acting, creative drama, dance, musical theater, and filmmaking are offered for children for ages one through 18 of all abilities. Just Imagine Classes (ages 12 months to 36 months) are multi-sensory classes for child and parent/caregiver. Classes are offered during a fall semester and winter/spring semester. Special workshops are always on the schedule. For teens, training becomes more focused with audition-only, pre-professional conservatory and ensemble programs in acting, musical theater, dance, or filmmaking.

Summer camps and flex weeks offer fun in one to five week programs (half or full day). Longer, full-day camps culminate in a production of a musical or play that campers perform for family and friends. Programs include musical theater, acting, dance, filmmaking, and filmmaking.

Imagination Stage is dedicated to inclusion and offers programs for those with special needs and those in the deaf community.

Imagination Stage also has a Café and Gift Shop. The Just Imagine Cafe serves pre- and post-show snacks and meals, so it's easy to grab lunch or a snack before one of the shows! The Just Imagine Gift Shop has an imaginative range of gifts, large and small, including dress up, toys, books, and more.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington (JCCGW), founded in 1923, is one of the largest metropolitan JCCs in the country. The mission of the JCCGW is to provide quality educational, cultural, social, and recreational programs, services, and activities in order to perpetuate and strengthen Jewish identity, culture, values, traditions, knowledge, and family life. Membership is open to everyone, regardless of race, religion, age, or disability. Amenities at the JCCGW include the Ganon Gil Preschool, the Gildenhorn/Speisman Center for the Arts, and the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Health & Fitness Center.

The Ganon Gil Preschool, with several options for children ages two through five, uses a hands-on Judaic approach, encouraging children to express themselves through creative art and music programs. Call 301.348.3830 for more information.

The Health & Fitness Center features cardiovascular equipment, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, racquetball and squash courts, basketball courts and an outdoor Bankshot Basketball court, and international convertible squash/racquetball court, a group exercise studio, an indoor children's play gym for children ages two through seven, and much more. Fitness and sport classes are offered in swimming, dance, karate, yoga, and more.

Classes in arts, crafts, music, chess, dramatic arts, Jewish living, and more are also offered, plus after school programs and clubs. Camp JCC is a comprehensive summer camp program including traditional day camp programs in art, theater, sports, teen travel, preschool, and a self-contained program for teens and young adults with special needs. Activities include sports, arts and crafts, nature/science, movement, computers, music, recreational and instructional swim, and guest performers. Campers enjoy age-appropriate overnights, day trips, and weekly special events. Call 301.348.3883 for more information.

Kellar Camp is a therapeutic summer day camp focused on helping children improve their social skills.