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

Summer starts in June and your DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has camps and activities galore. Registration for DPR Summer Camps continues, just visit summercamps.dc.gov to register or learn more about DPR Summer Camps.  You can find information about other DPR and District programs this summer in the DC Summer Fun Guide which includes camps, summer employment opportunities, free summer meals, immunizations, reading programs, aquatics programs and other activities from a number of District agencies. The DC Summer Fun Guide is available online at dcsummerfun.dc.gov. A new feature of the DC Summer Fun website is the “Locate a Program” section, where you can quickly search for programs by location. Check it out today.

For more information about DPR programs, parks, pools, and recreation centers, visit any DPR facility or our website at DPR.DC.GOV, and see what the excitement is all about!

"DPR This Month"
By Dr. Ximena Hartsock, Acting Director, DC Department of Parks and Recreation

Welcome to the June edition of the DPR highlights. May held many notable milestones for DPR. For the first time, DPR successfully opened all 19 outdoor swimming pools for the Memorial Day Weekend.  The opening of the pools was kicked off by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, DPR, and lifeguards and swimmers at Anacostia Pool.  DPR is also in full compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007.  This new federal law, which went into effect December 19, 2008, requires installation of an anti-entrapment drain or grate covers on all public pools and spas to protect swimmers and those using public hot tubs from suction entrapment.  DPR is one of the first and largest metropolitan parks and recreation agencies in the United States to complete installation of these new, safer drains, and be in compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety law.  Also, thanks to a generous donation from by Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States to support the DC Free Swim program, District residents will swim without fees at all DPR pools this year.

I had the honor of attending the opening and closing ceremonies and watching the competition of DPR’s 26th Annual DC Golden Olympics. Over 125 seniors participated in this year’s games, many of these same athletes will be competing in the National Senior Games in San Francisco, California in August 2009.  The senior athlete’s decision to live a healthy, active lifestyle, remain competitive and engage in physical fitness regardless of their age is an inspiration to us all.

Our youngest athletes are also making national news. In May, three DPR cheerleading teams competed in the US Finals - The Final Destination in Virginia Beach, VA, and earned one national championship, one second place, and one seventh place.  Hosted by the Nations Leading Cheerleading Companies from May 1 to 3, 2009, the US Finals - Final Destination featured over 500 teams in the multi-day competition.

Sixty-five swimmers representing DPR’s competitive swim team competed in the 7th Annual National Black Heritage Championship Swim Meet in Cary, NC.  DPR swimmers took home first place in the team competition for the first time in meet history. DPR parents were also recognized with the Spirit Award for the meet.

In June, DPR shifts into high gear as summer begins. DPR will host its first "DPR Beautification Day," Saturday, June 13, 2009, from 8 am to 12 noon.  This citywide effort will “spruce up” DPR facilities and parks in preparation for summer through the combined effort of DPR, community organizations, and residents.  DPR invites all residents and community organizations to be part of this special day and support a DPR center or park by volunteering for the day.  DPR Beautification Day activities will consist of trash pick up, interior cleaning, and light landscaping. A complete list of participating sites is available on our website.  
 
DPR Summer Camp registration continues through June. DPR Summer Camps run from June 15 to August 21, in five, two-week summer camp sessions.  For most camps, camping fees are only $100 per session for District residents.  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.

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

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

• DPR's June 2009 Featured Programs and Events