Holiday Events Around the County

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Bauer Drive Craft Show (FREE)

Saturday, December 7 from 12:00 – 4:00 pm at Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center

Shop an amazing array of arts and crafts vendors including jewelry, pottery, photography, woodwork and more at this annual event. Get a jump-start on your holiday shopping or pick up something festive for your own home!  For more information call 240-777-6922.

Jingle Bell Breakfast at Long Branch Senior Center (FREE)

Wednesday, December 18 from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Seniors will enjoy a lovely continental breakfast and festive music that will get everyone feeling the holiday spirit.

Winter Wonderland at Lawton Community Recreation Center (FREE)

Saturday, December 14, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Celebrate the holidays with Rufus the Red-Nosed Raindog from Blue Sky Puppet Theatre as well as face painting, holiday-themed arts and crafts, and light refreshments. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun! Bring a non-perishable, canned good to donate so that others may enjoy the season.

Santa’s Workshop at Mid County Community Recreation Center (FREE with Registration)

Saturday, December 21, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Join Santa for a photo opportunity while we play games and work on holiday crafts. This event is FREE but please pre-register on RecWeb with course number 365235. For more information call 240-777-6820.

Jingle Bell Fun for Active Adults at Longwood Community Recreation Center (FREE)

Monday, December 16, 12:00 pm

Join the “Review View Mirror” band and enjoy a catered lunch to kick off the holiday season. Single tickets are $12 or $20 per couple. For more information call 240-777-6920.

Breakfast with Santa at East County Community Recreation Center

Saturday, December 21, 9:00 – 11:00 am

Kids and their parents or caretaker can enjoy a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, pastries, juice and milk while they listen to holiday music, create mementos with arts and crafts, and win giveaways! Tickets are $3 for kids ages 3-7 and $5 for participants ages 8 and up. A photo with Santa is $5.

Scuba with Santa in Olney at the Indoor Swim Center

Sunday, December 8, 12:00 – 4:00 pm

Why wait in line at the mall when you can visit with Santa under water? Santa will make a brief stop in Olney on December 8^th to take photos in his Scuba suit. Kids 10 and over can join Santa with scuba equipment after a brief training. Kids under 10 can hold their breath for a quick photo OR anyone can join Santa on the cement steps in the shallow end if they would prefer. Fee is $5 donation or the equivalent in donated canned goods to benefit Manna Food Center. Call 240-777-4995 for details.  

Season of Holiday Magic at Ross Boddy Community Recreation Center

Saturday, December 14, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Join us for a wondrous magic show to kick off the holiday season! Plus, we will have face painting, crafts, games, door prizes and other treats for guests. Registration is required with code 370932 but the event is FREE.

Holiday Extravaganza at Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community RecreationCenter

Saturday, December 14, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

We’ll have a light breakfast with our favorite elf… Santa! Plus arts and crafts will keep us busy as we enjoy the holiday spirit. Register on site for this FREE event.

Santa’s Workshop is Coming to the Damascus Community Recreation Center

Wednesday, December 11, 6:00 – 9:30 pm

Bring six (6) dozen cookies to swap and share plus enjoy crafts, hot chocolate, seasonal music, shopping vendors, and take your picture with Mr. and Mrs. Clause!  Bring four dozen cookies to swap, and 2 dozen to share and leave with your hands full of treats and new recipes!

Santa’s Workshop at the Mid-County Community Recreation Center

Saturday, December 21, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Bring the whole family to enjoy a puppet show by Blue Skye Puppeteers and later get a family photo with Santa! We will also have light refreshments, arts and crafts, games, and lots of fun!

White Oak Community Recreation Center Winter Wonderland

Friday, December 20, 7:00 – 10:00 pm

This event is great for kids ages 5-12 and we will have special teen activities.  Kids will enjoy sports, a DJ, music, games, and light refreshments. This event is free but please register at the Center or online using code 371991.

Coach Doug Club Holiday Winter-Break Camp Keeps Kids Entertained

Sign up with a sibling or sign up with a friend! This program is open to kids ages 3-13 and is filled with organized, age appropriate activities including games, sports, arts and crafts, and more! Kids will pick the activities they want to do and there is always the option to just hang with friends. A $10 material fee is due the first day of camp.

Kids ages 3-5 may only register for the half-day session.

3 Half-Day Sessions, $60

364025 12/23, 12/26 and 12/27 at Cabin John Middle School from 9:30 am -12:30 pm

3 Full-Day Sessions, $115

364026 12/23, 12/26 and 12/27 at Cabin John Middle School from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Coach Doug Extended Day

365385 12/23, 12/26 and 12/27 at Cabin John Middle School from 7:00 am – 9:00 am

365384 12/23, 12/26 and 12/27 at Cabin John Middle School from 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Water Fitness Classes

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When it’s too cold outside to run and you are getting sick of your normal gym routine, it’s time to trade in your sneakers for a swim suit and join a water fitness class. Many athletes turn to the pool to switch up their winter workout. Water workouts provide excellent cardiovascular and strength training benefits. Instead of weights, the water provides resistance training. Our natural buoyancy in the water means less stress on joints and muscles, which reduces the chance of injury and soreness. 

We offer a large range of water fitness classes that can be tailored for any fitness level. See page 11 of The Winter Guide for specific class locations and times.

Some water fitness classes have the option to use special equipment to help with flotation or resistance. A water belt is used for deep water running classes to keep the body comfortably submerged but the head well above the water line so that arms and legs benefit from the resistance in the water.  Gloves and water dumbbells offer additional resistance to work the arms, shoulders and back. Water shoes can protect feet for a class done in the shallow end of the pool. Some water shoes provide extra support for high impact classes while others offer ankle support. Most classes provide water equipment for loan or purchase if it is a requirement for the class. Participants are encouraged to call the course instructor for their class to find out about optional water equipment.

Water Boot Camp (9 sessions, $48)

This high intensity workout will burn calories as participants move through an interval training routine that includes traditional running, jumping, plyometrics and water aerobics moves.

Aqua Cardio Challenge (9 sessions, $48)

This class meets in the shallow end of the pool to give you the cardio challenge you want to burn calories, build strength and endurance.

Aqua Zumba (9 sessions, $48)

Just like the Zumba dance classes on land, we’ll be moving and grooving to Latin inspired dance moves and music in the shallow end of the pool for added resistance. Great for muscles, great for your cardiovascular system, Zumba is the FUN way to workout in the water!

Abs and Glutes (9 sessions, $48)

We’ll head to the shallow end of the pool for this high energy class that will help you strengthen and sculpt your abs and glutes. Gloves are recommended and can be purchased at class.

Aqua Yo-Lates (9 sessions, $48)

By blending yoga and Pilates in the water, this class is specially designed to improve range of motion, and strengthen the whole body through gentle movement sequences, and resistance from the water.

Deep Water Running (9 sessions, $48)

Deep water running is the perfect exercise for runners, tri-athletes, those recovering from an injury, or anyone who wants a cardio workout that works all muscle groups. Wearing a water belt which can be purchased at the pool, participants work on water running technique and drills.

Water Aerobics (9 sessions, $48)

This is a high-intensity workout done in the pool to relieve pressure and stress on feet, knees and lower back. The emphasis is on cardio conditioning and the program can be modified for any fitness level.

Water Exercise (9 sessions, $48)

This is a multi-level fitness class that uses water resistance to improve range of motion, strengthen muscle, and work the cardiovascular system.

IMPORTANT Information for Swim Lesson Registration

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You’ve got your alarm set for 6:30 am, on December 11 so you can jump on the computer to register your child for swim lessons, BUT do you know your RecWeb login? Here are a few tips to help make swim lesson registration go as smoothly as possible:

1. Know your RecWeb login information. If you don’t have it go to: https://recweb.montgomerycountymd.gov/.

2. Know which class level is best suited for your child. If you are not sure, contact the pool of your choice and ask the Lesson Supervisor to set up a screening. Bring a suit and towel! You should also review the class and level descriptions on page 23 of The Guide.

3. Lesson fees range from $50 - $60 per 30-minute class. Non-county residents are charged an additional $15 fee so please plan accordingly.

4. Please check each pool’s listing for lesson schedule changes. There are no make-ups or refunds.

5. Registration opens on December 11 at 6:30 am

Online registration is recommended and if you do not yet have an account, be sure to create one prior to the registration date.  You can also register at one of the four aquatic facilities.