The Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources (PRCR) operates parks, community and recreation centers, and fitness centers throughout the County. PRCR offers classes, special events, and much more during the summer and throughout the school year with choices for everyone from preschool age through seniors.

The Boy Scouts is an institution that has honed to the same mission for decades: To promote physical fitness, citizenship, and good old-fashioned character building.

Boys in first through fifth grade are eligible for Cub Scouts. From sixth through twelfth grade your son can become a Boy Scout. Many boys join a troop through either their school or church. But you can also call the NCAC Council to find out where there's a unit closest to you. You'll be given the name and number of the pack leader and can call to make arrangements for meeting.

Each pack meets as often as the parents want them to and frequency can range from one to four times a month.

Facilities at the Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis include a 12,000 square foot gymnasium; a sports complex including a baseball diamond, football field, and soccer/ lacrosse field; a 150-seat theatre in the round; an open games room for ping pong, billiards, and video games; a teen center offering dedicated space for leadership and guidance training; a computer center offering state-of-the art computer equipment; a library/media center with space for 500+ books and computers; a dance studio space for ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and hip hop; an arts & crafts center for painting, drawing, and ceramics; and a tutoring room to offer a quiet area for academic focus.

Summer camp and before- and afterschool care are also offered.

Amenities at the Brentwood Recreation Center include one lighted basketball court, a baseball field, two playgrounds (one for tots, and one for older kids), a tennis court, a computer center, and a multi-purpose room.

The Center offers a few classes, including flag football and Double Dutch, plus after school homework help. Dance Place holds several of its youth classes in the multipurpose room.

Call the center for specific information regarding facilities, programs, and registration.

Butterfly Cares is a non-profit, community based, mentor and service organization serving children in grades K-12 by providing development services and youth leadership and mentoring programs that cultivate diverse, interpersonal relationships between youth and adults in a community over time. The goal of each program is to make learning real through the consistent application of learning principles. Programs are moderated after-school hours, strengthening student's understanding of their school curricula, assisting with personal development, and providing leadership coaching that will improve their chances for success.

A summer enrichment camp for girls ages 10-17 is also offered (6/20-6/22 in 2008). Girls can connect with nature while participating in workshops that teach etiquette, leadership, college preparation, culinary arts, beauty, health, and fitness.

Carteret Mortgage Branch Boys & Girls Club offers a wide variety of drop-in programs as well as before- and afterschool care and summer camp. Facilities include three gymnasiums, wrestling room, theatre room, library game room, ceramics lab, teen lounge, arts and crafts room, training kitchen, classrooms, and a multi-purpose room.

Drop-in activities include sports (basketball, soccer, flag football), open gym, arts and crafts, music, computer skills, homework help, and more. There are also athletic leagues for basketball, softball, volleyball, flag football, and cheerleading.

Before- and afterschool care includes transportation to and from a number of area schools, plus programs such as gym time, computer time, arts and crafts, and homework help.

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.

The DCJCC, as it's better known, offers a plethora of family activities. Family swim and gym times, playgroups, and special holiday activities make this a great place to be and belong.

Programs for children include infant and toddler classes, chess club, private swimming lessons, soccer, basketball, gymnastics, birthday parties, and after-school care.

The Preschool, for children ages two to five, is open year-round from 7:30am-6pm. The school begins accepting applications one year in advance of the desired start date.

The Parenting Center offers networking opportunities, resources and programming for pregnant couples and for babies, toddlers, young children, and their parents.

Summer camp programs are available for children in grades Pre-K through 12.

The goal of the Emergence Community Arts Collective is to foster a spirit of community within the neighborhood through social activities, traditional arts classes, support groups, and educational seminars. Class offerings are diverse, ranging from knitting to dance to Capoeira Angola.

Amenities at the Emery Recreation Center include one lighted basketball court, a playground, a fitness room and gymnasium, several classrooms and multipurpose rooms, and a tennis court (still being built).

The Center offers numerous classes, including basketball, cheerleading, dodgeball, flag football, indoor soccer, and Double Dutch, plus teen clubs and after school homework help. A preschool cooperative play program is offered half days for children ages two and a half through five.

Call the center for specific information regarding facilities, programs, and registration.

The Falls Church Community Center boasts a full-sized gymnasium with a six-hoop basketball court, a volleyball court, and shuffleboard court. There are lighted tennis courts outside as well, and the Center is located right next to Cherry Hill Park. Classes and summer camps are offered in a variety of sports and other activities. Call the center for more details.

Teens can watch movies on the big-screen television, dance the night away at the popular teen dances, play pool or table tennis and other games, and hang out with friends at the Teen Center. Teens can also take part in many other social events and day trips that include white water rafting, attending theme parks, and rock climbing.

The Center offers a pre-school program for three- to five-year olds in a bright and stimulating room designed and furnished specifically for young children. Activities include arts and crafts, music, drama, and games. The State of Virginia Department of Social Services licenses all preschool program staff.

The Girl Scouts' credo is "Where girls grow strong," and selling Girl Scout cookies is only a small part of building girl power. On field trips and through mentorships with local employers, the girls learn about science, business, arts, and themselves. The organization also hosts spring and summer camps.

Many schools have troops already in formation, so you might check there first before calling the council. If all else fails, consider starting your own troop - the council will set you on your way with training courses. Each troop meets as often as the parents want them to and frequency can range from one to four times a month. Five- and six-year olds are eligible for the Daisy Girl Scouts; girls in first through third grade are eligible for Brownies; from sixth through twelfth grade they join the Girl Scouts.

The Ida Lee Park Recreation Center is a 71,000 square foot recreation, fitness, and aquatic facility with such amenities as a 25 meter x 25 yard pool, a warm water pool with zero depth entrance, a spa, a full size gymnasium, two racquetball courts, meeting rooms, locker rooms, a fitness facility, and seven outdoor tennis courts.

A very wide range of classes are offered year-round, including group swimming lessons (six months and up), and private lessons (three and up); safety - lifeguard, first aid, babysitting, and CPR; fitness; group and private tennis lessons (four and up); baseball; fencing; basketball; lacrosse; karate; ballet and jazz; arts; cooking; and numerous summer camps. The Center also hosts birthday parties; call 703.737.2371 for more information.

Jelleff Boys & Girls Club provides a safe and fun place for kids to spend time after school. The Jelleff Club is a full-service, year-round Club offering a variety of programs in sports, education, recreation, and the arts, housed in a facility that includes a gym, game room, Teen Center, computer lab, outdoor pool, and field. It offers an after school tutoring program, special activites such as yoga, art, hip hop, and hand drumming, as well as Youth leadership groups.

Summer Day Camp includes daily swimming lessons, sports, arts and crafts, field trips, computer time, games, special events, library time, a summer reading program, and games room activities. Before Care and After Care are also available.

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.

The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) offers tons of family activities from birth on up.
Programs for children include mommy and me classes, swimming, dance, music lessons, soccer, sports performance training, basketball, kickball, and beore- and after-school care.

Preschool, for children ages two to five, is offered from 9am-1pm. You must have a family membership in the JCCNV for your child to attend preschool.

Summer camp programs are available for children in grades Pre-K through 10, and a Mommy and Me camp is also offered.

Amenities at the Kennedy Recreation Center include two lit basketball courts, a baseball field, two playgrounds (one for tots, and one for older kids), a tennis court, a weight room and gymnasium, a horseshoe pit, picnic areas, and a multi-purpose room and computer room.

The Center offers a variety of classes, including basketball, Double Dutch, music therapy, and computers. There are also teen clubs, after school homework help, and summer camps.

Call the center for specific information regarding facilities, programs, and registration.

The McLean Community Center (MCC) offers a continuing program of activities for adults and children, including a wide range of classes, playgroups, lectures, study tours, camps, art exhibits, theatre performances, and specialty shows. The Center also sponsors major community activities such as McLean Day at Lewinsville Park in May and the 4th of July Fireworks at Langley High School.

Center facilities include the 424-seat Alden Theatre, the Emerson Gallery, meeting and conference rooms, the Susan B. DuVal Art Studio, and a rehearsal studio. Local open clubs and organizations use the Center for their monthly meetings without charge. Center facilities may be rented for private functions such as business conferences, receptions, parties, and recitals. District residents and businesses pay reduced fees. Registrations for MYI and Little League activities are regularly held at the Center and information on their activities is always available in the lobby.

The Center also operates the Old Firehouse Teen Center. Membership is open to seventh- and eighth-grade students living in Fairfax County, and are good for a year from the date of purchase. The benefits of an OFTC membership include the ability to "drop in" to use the Center's resources, after school or community service programs, renting the Firehouse for a party and free admission to events on select Friday nights.

Y programs are extremely family-oriented. Kids and adults alike can learn to swim in the 25-Meter Indoor Pool, work out on the dual basketball courts, test strength and wiles on the climbing wall, and more.

Family swim time is Saturday from 1:30pm-6:30pm, and Sunday from 1pm-5:30pm.

Swimming lessons are available for children as young as six months (with parent) and continue through adulthood. Teen swim lessons, for kids ages 13-17, are available for older kids who have somehow managed to avoid learning to swim throughout their childhood! Private lessons are also available.

This branch also features the Kids' PhD Program (Physical, Healthy, Driven), for kids ages five to twelve, which is designed to increase strength, speed, endurance, flexibility, cardiovascular capability, and self-esteem. These classes generally meet on Saturdays. Kids ages 13 to 17 can try their 8-week PhD Teen Weight Training Program.

Summer Camp programs at this branch are available in bi-weekly increments, beginning in June and ending in September. Camp hours are 9am-4pm, with before- and after-care options for an additional fee.

Traditional camps themes include: Sports Fan-tastic; Lights, Camera, Action!; Space Invaders; Imagination to Creation; All About Me. In additional to each theme, all campers experience other fun, enriching activities, such as swimming, sports, singing, arts and crafts, field trips, science, and more.

Teenagers can also try the YMCA Summer of Services, an opportunity for teens to make a difference in their communities while creating peer relationships, developing leadership skills, and learning more about the needs of their neighborhoods.

This branch also offers youth classes and clinics in Tae Kwon Do, basketball, cheerleading, weight training, fitness camp, Hip-Hop, ballet, and birthday parties.

For more information on Youth Programs please contact the Youth Wellness Coordinator, 202.862.9622 ext. 3184.

Amenities at the Takoma Community Center include a baseball field with a 60' diamond, two basketball courts, a playground, two indoor swimming pools, six tennis courts, and several multi-purpose rooms. The Center is pretty new, so the facilities are all in excellent shape - and clean! One of the pools is a "wade in" style great for small children, and has a couple of fountains you can usually get the lifeguard to turn on.

The Center offers a lot of different classes, such as swimming (for all levels), lifeguard training, open water diving, Hip Hop, fitness, softball, and tennis. There are also lots of clubs, including teen, big brothers, and chess, and little league and summer camp.

Call the center for specific information regarding facilities, programs, and registration.