Media Contact Only: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has announced six new programmatic partnerships which will enhance and expand DPR's programming, all at no charge to residents.  Information about each of the new programs and partnerships is provided below. 

Registration for these and other DPR programs can be completed online in the "Register for Programs" section of DPR's website, dpr.dc.gov, or by visiting a DPR center.

For information on how to support or contribute to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, please contact DPR's Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 671-1462 or DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.

DC Youth Orchestra Program
DC Youth Orchestra Program is a District of Columbia-based nonprofit organization created to provide affordable, music instruction and performance opportunities for young people ages 4 1/2 - 19 years old. Through a partnership with DPR, the DC Youth Orchestra Program will provide free violin and recorder lessons at King Greenleaf Recreation Center, Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center and Fort Stanton Recreation Center.

This program, which runs from February 1, 2009 to February 1, 2010, will be provided based on the following schedule:

• King Greenleaf Recreation Center, (15 weeks) Monday-Friday, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
• Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center (10 weeks) Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
• Fort Stanton Recreation Center (10 weeks) Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

HELP Foundation
The Help Foundation is a District of Columbia registered organization that provides assistance to low-income families in the District of Columbia through rental assistance, energy assistance, food assistance and emergency and disaster assistance.  The HELP Foundation has partnered with DPR to provide after school and summer tutoring programs as well as a variety of workshops at Edgewood Recreation Center.

The HELP Foundation will be working with DPR to program Edgewood Recreation Center Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm - 9 pm and every second and fourth Saturday from 9 am - 9 pm beginning March 1, 2009.

Achieve and the Nation’s Triathlon Summer Camp
Achieve is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that designs and implements youth-based triathlon training programs to teach children how to lead healthy, active and successful lifestyles.  Through its programs in Washington, DC and Houston, TX, Achieve connects youth with healthy lifestyle activities and choices and teaches them exercise skills that last a lifetime. Achieve summer camp programs are USAT certified training centers where all kids become USAT members and compete in a USAT sanctioned Kids Triathlon at the end of camp. 

Achieve is partnering with DPR to provide three Triathlon Summer Camps at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation and Benning Park Recreation Center from 9 am - 12 noon beginning June 15, 2009 and ending July 24, 2009.

Rising Son Open Bible Church
Rising Son Open Bible Church was created in part to provide educational services to young people through tutoring, mentoring and the teaching of life skills. Rising Son Open Bible Church is partnering with DPR to provide an After School Tutoring Program at Banneker Recreation Center beginning March 1, 2009. This program will meet Monday through Thursday from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm.

Washington Area Bicyclists Association
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is a District of Columbia-based, nonprofit organization formed to create a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, and affordable transportation; advocating for better bicycling conditions and transportation choices for a healthier environment, and educating children, adults, and motorists about safe bicycling. DPR is pleased to partner with WABA to provide bike safety education classes to children, youth and adults at a variety of recreation centers. The schedule for these classes, which began January 15, 2009, is as follows:

Adult Confident City Cycling

• Saturday, April 4, 2009 1 - 4 pm, Kennedy Recreation Center
• Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 5:30 - 8:30 pm, Takoma Community Center
• Saturday, May 9, 2009 1 pm - 4 pm at Hillcrest Recreation Center
• Saturday, July 25, 2009 1 pm - 4 pm at Kennedy Recreation Center
• Wednesday, September 16, 2009 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at Takoma Community Center
• Saturday, October 3, 2009 1 pm - 4 pm at Guy Mason Recreation Center

Kid Bike Safety Rodeos (subject to change)

• July 8, 2009, 10 am - 12 noon at Emery Recreation Center
• July 15, 2009, 10 am - 12 noon at Hillcrest Recreation Center
• July 22, 2009, 10 am - 12 noon at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center
• July 29, 2009, 10 am - 12 noon  at Banneker Recreation Center
• August 5, 2009, 10 am - 12 noon at Kennedy Recreation Center

Youth Visions, Inc
Youth Visions, Inc. is an international youth leadership program providing youth the opportunity and the means to travel abroad, to acquire valuable experience, and to establish relations academically, economically, and athletically.  ScubaBound is a Youth Visions leadership program that uses the discipline of diving to instill leadership skills in young people. Through this partnership Youth Visions, Inc will provide free scuba instruction beginning February 1, 2009 based on the following schedule:

• Ferebee Hope Aquatic Center – Wednesdays from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
• Takoma Aquatic Center – Sundays from 12 noon - 5 pm
• Turkey Thicket Recreation Center – Saturdays from 9 am - 12 noon