Media-Only Contact: Carrie Brooks, (202) 727-5011; John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195

Today, before hundreds of District residents, government agencies and community organizers, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Clark E. Ray kicked off “DC Summer Fun 2008” at the Langdon Park Recreation Center, 2901 20th Street, NE.

Mayor Fenty hosted a press conference at 3 pm during which he announced the DC Summer Fun Initiative which offers an array of services for District youth including employment and educational opportunities, free summer meals and recreational activities. 

“Today, we have come to celebrate that this summer, our youth will be engaged in fun, safe and structured activities here in the District of Columbia,” said Mayor Fenty. “DC Summer Fun 2008 is an offering of the best programs available for our young people throughout the summer.”

Events held at the day of fun included a moon bounce, fun park, trackless train, turbo tubs, Velcro wall, snow cone and popcorn stations as well as sporting competitions (basketball tournament, tennis, kickball and relay races), arts and crafts and more. Government agencies on site offering services included the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPDC) Summer of Safety Program, the DC Public Library’s (DCPL) Xtreme Book Mobile, and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s (OSSE) critically-acclaimed Free Summer Meals Program which made free, nutritious meals available to youth, ages 18 and under.

“DPR is again proud to host the DC Summer Fun annual kick-off,” added DPR Director Clark E. Ray. “I am pleased that many of the programs offered through this initiative are available at many of our recreation facilities.”

For more information on DC Summer Fun 2008, go to dcsummerfun.dc.gov.

About DC Summer Fun
DC Summer Fun 2008 is a collaborative effort sponsored by government agencies, community-based providers and supporters of summer programs. With more than 150 programs, DC Summer Fun is designed to provide the District’s young people with activities to keep them engaged in the summer. Programs include summer camps, free summer meal programs, summer reading, health services for children and youth, early care and education, summer safety, summer school, mental health services and summer youth employment.