By Ashleigh Fields,
AFRO Assistant Editor
Due to the recent rise in juvenile violent crime, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has pushed for more free recreational activities for teens and youth in the District. As a result, The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) centers are offering music classes, volleyball clinics and video gaming over the course of the week amid spring break. Activities with dates, time and locations can be found listed below.
Esports Open Play
Youth are invited to join DPR for a day of video games and fun at its new eGaming lounges. Snacks will be provided.
Raymond Recreation Center, 3725 10th Street NW
- Tuesday, April 18
- 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Deanwood Community Center, 1350 49th Street NE
- Wednesday, April 19
- 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue NE
- Thursday, April 20
- 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
DPR Community Events
Roving Leaders’ Pump It Up Palace
What: All ages are invited to enjoy a pop-up amusement park with inflatables, life-size board games, and more.
When: Tuesday, April 18 – Friday, April 21, 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street NW
Crank Music Program Open House
What: Music workshops and recording sessions to introduce teens to DPR’s groundbreaking Go-Go music program that gives high schoolers hands-on musical experience.
When: Wednesday, April 19 – Friday, April 21, 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Columbia Heights Community Center, 1480 Girard Street NW
Citywide Girls Volleyball Clinic
What: Girls ages 9 -14 are invited to a Citywide Girls Volleyball Clinic hosted with Athletes Unlimited. Participants will learn basic volleyball skills.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Kenilworth Recreation Center, 4321 Ord Street NE
Roving Leaders’ Spring Fling at Rosedale Rec Center
What: Community members are invited to gather and enjoy a day of music, food and games.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Rosedale Recreation Center, 1701 Gales Street NE
What: Community members will come and enjoy a day of food, games, and giveaways in the field.
When: Wednesday, April 19, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: New York Avenue Playground, 100 N Street NW
Maury Wills Baseball and Softball Tournament
What: The District will host a tournament for high school baseball and softball teams.
When: Thursday, April 20, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Banneker Recreation Center, 2500 Georgia Avenue NW
Roving Leaders’ Community Skate
What: Open skate pop-up for youth. Skates, helmets, and refreshments will be provided.
When: Thursday, April 20, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2409 Ainger Place SE
What: DPR will host a Lacrosse Youth Clinic in conjunction with Winners Lacrosse. This is a great opportunity to engage youth through the National Professional Sports Initiative.
When: Friday, April 21, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Ages 5-8); 3:00p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Ages 9-14)
Where: Barry Farm Recreation Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE
What: A celebration and egg hunt for District youth.
When: Friday, April 21, 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Takoma Community Center, 300 Van Buren Street NW
Roving Leader Spring Fling Dive at Ferebee Hope
What: Come dive for Easter eggs with the Roving Leaders and enjoy prizes, fun games, and more.
When: Saturday, April 22, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Ferebee Hope Recreation Center, 700 Yuma Street SE
Teen Open Gym at DPR Recreation Centers
Gyms will be open next week at the following DPR recreation centers: Arthur Capper, Brentwood, Edgewood, Fort Davis, Fort Stanton, Glover Park, Hillcrest, Joe Cole, Lamond, North Michigan Park, Raymond, Ridge Road, Riggs-LaSalle, Sherwood, Trinidad, Turkey Thicket and Woody Ward.
DPR Aquatics Spring Break Water Activities and Classes
Marie Reed Aquatic Center Spring Break water activities and classes for youth:
- Tabata Aqua Dance – Tuesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 20, 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Learn to Swim Youth – Wednesday, April 19 and Friday, April 21, 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Deanwood Aquatic Center Spring Break water activities and classes:
- Water Activity Volleyball – Tuesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 20, 12:00 p.m.
- Learn to Swim Youth – Wednesday, April 19 and Friday, April 21, 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Barry Farm Aquatic Center Spring Break water activities and classes:
- Tabata Aqua Dance – Wednesday, April 19 and Friday, April 21, 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Learn to Swim Youth – Tuesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 20, 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Ferebee-Hope Aquatic Center Spring Break water activities and classes:
- Learn to Swim – Tuesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 20, 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
- Water Basketball – Wednesday, April 19 and Friday, April 21, 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Additionally, 22 Department of Parks and Recreation Centers have expanded their hours and opportunities for play. Weekday hours expanded from eight hours to 15 hours and Saturday hours doubled from four hours to eight hours at sites across all eight wards.
DPR also is also hiring for the summer, with over 600 positions available. Positions available include summer camp leaders, lifeguards, pool operators, urban park rangers, summer meals program, environmental division, and transportation. Residents can review job postings or sign up to attend hiring fair events at earnwithdpr.com.
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