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

April is here and the 2009 DC Spring/Summer Fun Guide is available! As we mentioned last month, this combined guide has spring and summer program offerings such as camps, summer employment opportunities, free summer meals, immunizations, reading programs, aquatics programs and other activities from a number of District Agencies.

Registration for summer camps is still ongoing, so be sure to visit our website for more information. In the meantime, the Department of Parks and Recreation has a variety of programs for the entire family to enjoy. The 2009 DC Spring/Summer Fun Guide is available online at dcsummerfun.dc.gov, or for more information about our programs, visit any DPR facility or our website, DPR.DC.GOV, and see what the excitement is all about!

"DPR This Month"
By Clark E. Ray, Director, DC Department of Parks and Recreation

March was a fantastic month at the DC Department of Parks and Recreation and with the summer months fast approaching, we are busier than ever! March was also month of all things spring; our spring break camps were a huge success for thousands of District youth, we hosted several recreation beautification days, kite making workshops, a citywide soccer tournament and of course, St. Patrick’s Day festivities all across the city.

The month of April is sure to be just as exciting and filled with even more spring activities such as trips to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, events for the entire family like the “Fit 2 Live” Community Health Day, the commencement of baseball season, sporting events like the DC Youth Basketball League Championships, and the Al Joyner/Michael Walton Speed and Plyometric Clinic, and so much more. Several of our facilities are hosting their annual Easter Egg scavenger hunts for little ones, be sure to read the list of recreation facilities offering these programs and spread the word to your friends and families!

DPR Summer Camp registration also continues during April. This summer, from June 15 to August 21, DPR is offering five two-week sessions, and camping fees are only $100 per session for District residents for most of our camps.  We will also offer eight, one-week overnight camping sessions at Camp Riverview, DPR's residential camp located in Scotland, Maryland. Camp Riverview sits along the Potomac River near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, surrounded by 217 acres of woods. If you’re looking for a unique camping experience for your children and the opportunity for them to enjoy outdoor activities they can't find in the city, be sure to make a trip to Camp Riverview part of their summer. Information on all of our summer camps and registration is available online at summercamps.dc.gov. Contact our Camp Central office at (202) 671-0295 or visit a DPR center for more information.

Calling all lifeguards! Serving as a lifeguard for the Department of Parks and Recreation is a challenging and rewarding experience. Our swimming pools provide a fun and refreshing way for District residents to escape from the heat while staying fit and DPR is now accepting registrations for lifeguards for the summer season. Lifeguard training and certification classes begin in April and there are several spaces to fill! Call our Aquatics office at (202) 671-1289 or visit dpr.dc.gov for more information.

DPR is also proud to announce that we are expanding our popular Teen Night programs throughout the city! DPR Teen Nights are held on Friday nights at recreation centers throughout the eight wards of the District and are open to teens ages 13 – 19. The Teen Night program has been specifically planned for young adults to include a variety of fun and engaging activities. The citywide DPR Teen Night Kickoff Event will be April 10, 2009 at King Greenleaf Recreation Center. Visit dpr.dc.gov to find out when a DPR Teen Night will be coming to a recreation center near you!

In other exciting news, registration has started for DPR’s very own 2009, 26th Annual DC Golden Olympics!  The DC Golden Olympics is one of DPR’s annual signature events and we look forward to celebrating the athletes who will participate in this year’s competition. The theme for 2009 is “Fit 4 Life” and encourages and promotes healthy lifestyles for seniors through education, fitness and competitive sports. This year’s games, which will be held May 4th through May 9th, feature competitive events in track and field sports, swimming, tennis, basketball, golf and more! To register online, visit dpr.dc.gov or for more information, contact the Senior Services Division at (202) 645-9200.

To learn more about any of the events, programs, and services that DC Department of Parks and Recreation is offering in April, please visit us online at dpr.dc.gov or stop by any DPR center.

Select the link below for DPR's April 2009 Featured Programs and Events:

• DPR's April 2009 Featured Programs and Events