March Events Around the County

 Therapeutic Polar Bear Swim (March 1)

Individuals with disabilities and their families and friends are invited to join us for an evening of indoor swimming, slides, and relaxing at the Germantown Indoor Swim Center. We’ll stay warm and smiling for this Polar Bear swim! Participants and attendants must register and have swim attire to be on the pool deck. Fee is $4 per person. No personal care provided.

366916 3/1 at Germantown Indoor Swim Center from 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Japan Fair at Bauer Drive (March 22)

This popular celebration is done in partnership with the Sakura Educational Exchange and provides our community with the opportunity to explore the Japanese culture through demonstrations, presentations, and more from students from the Yokohama Hayato High School in Yokohama, Japan. Witness a Japanese Tea Ceremony, create Origami, play traditional Japanese games, and learn the art of Japanese calligraphy, manga and anime. Then be entertained by traditional Japanese music, dancers and martial arts demonstrations! The fair runs from 1:00 – 5:00 pm at the Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center. This event is Free!

March 22 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm at Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center

Bike Rodeo at Damascus Community Recreation Center (April 4)

If your family loves to ride bikes, this is a perfect event for you! Join us for an afternoon of bike safety, obstacle course, bike helmet fittings, bike maintenance and so much more! Kids ages 3-12 will love the course and little ones ages 3-5 can join in with their big wheels! For more information call 240-777-6930.

April 4 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm at Damascus Community Recreation Center

Tai Chi at Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center (starting March 4)

Tai Chi class starts Tuesday, March 4^th from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. This 6-week session is sponsored by Suburban Hospital and the fee is $70. Register through Suburban Hospital by calling 301-896-3939.

At the Pool

We’ve suffered through the worst of what winter had to offer. It’s time to look forward to warmer days and what better way to do that than to get in the pool! We have four indoor pools with classes that appeal to kids and adults. Get in the pool and get fit, learn something new, and get ready for spring and summer!

For Kids…

Swim Lessons

Sign up now for swim lessons that start in April! Not sure what course to put your child in? You can refer to page 23 of the Spring Guide for a detailed explanation of swim levels. In addition, you can contact the pool of your choice and ask to speak with the Lesson Supervisor to set up a screening for your child.

Lesson dates, times and locations vary, so check the guide for a complete list.

Diving Springs Lessons ($135)

Does your child love the pool? Let them try something new this spring with diving lessons. This is a 45 minute class for beginners who have had little to no experience on the springboards. Participants should be comfortable in deep water and be able to dive in head first. Read what one local diving parent had to say about the benefits of diving to her child.

375268 starting 3/24 at Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center from 4:15 – 5:00 pm

375260 starting 3/25 at Germantown Indoor Swim Center from 4:00 – 5:00 pm

375261 starting 3/25 at Germantown Indoor Swim Center from 4:45 – 5:30 pm

375263 starting 3/26 at Olney Swim Center from 5:00 – 5:45 pm

375269 starting 3/26 at Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center from 4:15 – 5:00 pm

375265 starting 3/27 at Germantown Indoor Swim Center from 4:00 – 4:45 pm

375266 starting 3/27 at Germantown Indoor Swim Center from 4:45 – 5:30 pm

375270 starting 3/28 at Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center from 4:15 – 5:00 pm

375264 starting 3/30 at Martin Luther King Swim Center from 10:30 – 11:15 am

375267 starting 3/30 at Martin Luther King Swim Center from 11:15 am – 12:00 pm

375262 starting 3/31 at Olney Swim Center from 5:00 – 5:45 pm

For Adults…

Deep Water Running (8 sessions, $42)

There is a lot you can do in the water including running! Running in deep water is great for cardiovascular exercise and perfect for those cross training and/or rehabilitating because there is simply no weight bearing stress on the body. No swimming experience is necessary.
Participants must be comfortable in deep water and utilize a Deep Water belt that can purchased at the pool for $20.

We have a huge selection of Deep Water Running classes starting in March. For a complete list see page 14 of the Spring Guide.

Lifeguard Training (9 sessions, $195)

This course will offer the training needed to become certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, and First Aid and CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer. Certifications are valid for 2 years. Attendance is required at ALL sessions in order to be certified. Students MUST be 15 years old by the last day of the course. Proof of age is required at the first class. This course includes a pre-course check. The first date listed for every Lifeguard Training course is a pre-course. You MUST pass the pre-course to continue.

The pre-course consists of 3 parts:

1.    A 300 meter swim (front crawl/freestyle or breaststroke).

2.    Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.

3.    Swim 20 yards (free or breast), surface dive to 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to starting position, exit the water on your own in under 1 minute 40 seconds.

Course days and times vary. See pages 20-21 of the Spring Guide for details.

362723 March 14-– April 6 at Germantown Indoor Swim Center

362724 April 11-17 at Germantown Indoor Swim Center

362721 April 11-18 at Martin Luther King Jr. Swim Center

363678 April 11-18 at Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center

363679 April 11-19 at Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center

362739 March 1-29 at Olney Swim Center

362740 April 9-16 at Olney Swim Center

Adult Swim for Conditioning 1 & 2 (both classes are 6 sessions, $57)

This series of classes is designed for teens and adults age 14 and up who can already swim a coordinated freestyle. For Conditioning 1, participants should be able to swim 15 yards or the width of the pool, and be comfortable in deep water. Conditioning 1 classes are limited to 10 students. For Conditioning 2, participants should be able to swim 50 meters of freestyle. This class will offer technical training and will help develop swimming proficiency. Conditioning 2 classes are limited to 15 students.

Conditioning 1

374772 starting 3/31 at Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center from 8:30 – 9:00 pm

Conditioning 2

374790 starting 3/31 at Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center from 8:30 – 9:00 pm

Ballroom Dance into Spring!

Image via katagaci on sxc

Here’s an activity that will get you out of the house, socializing, get your feet moving, and can bring you closer to someone you love. Ballroom dancing is great for anyone heading to a wedding.

Adult Ballroom I for Couples - Beginner (8 sessions, $75)

Participants ages 16 & up will learn the basics of Ballroom Dancing including proper dance position, how to lead and follow, and three of the following possible dance patterns: Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Cha Cha and Swing. Registration is per student and you must have a partner registered in the class to attend.

377189 starting 3/31 at Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center from 7:15 – 8:15 pm

377191 starting 3/31 at Bethesda Elementary School from 7:00 – 8:00 pm

377190 starting 3/31 at Wheaton Community Recreation Center from 7:00 – 8:00 pm

377192 starting 4/4 at Olney Elementary School from 7:30 – 8:30 pm

Adult Ballroom II for Couples – Intermediate (8 sessions, $75)

Prerequisite: Beginner ballroom course. Participants ages 16 and up will briefly review Ballroom I dances, practice additional variations of these dances including Tango and Merengue with an emphasis on proper dance position and execution to perfect each move. Registration fee is per student and you must have a partner registered in the class to attend..

377195 starting 3/31 at Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center from 8:15 – 9:15 pm

377196 starting 3/31 at Bethesda Elementary School from 8:00 – 9:00 pm

377193 starting 3/31 at Wheaton Community Recreation Center from 8:00 – 9:00 pm

377194 starting 4/4 at Olney Elementary School from 8:30 – 9:30 pm

Juniors Ballroom (8 sessions, $75)

Kids ages 8-12 will learn the basics of 5 popular social, ballroom dances: Merengue, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Waltz, and Swing. In addition, we will discuss social etiquette, manners and practice ballroom dance technique. This is a structured, yet fun environment designed to engage kids. Questions? Call Avant Garde (301)881-1436.

377286 starting 4/2 at Avant Garde Ballroom Dance Center from 5:15 – 6:00 pm

Teens Ballroom (8 sessions, $75

Teens ages 13-17 will learn the basics of ballroom social dances. These can be awkward years and this class will help teens develop better body coordination, enhance social skills, and build confidence through ballroom dance movements. For more information call Avant Garde (301)881-1436.

377287 starting 4/2 at Avant Garde Ballroom Dance Center from 5:15 – 6:00 pm

Instrumental Music For Everyone

Learning a musical instrument can benefit adults as well as children. Instruments and music require us to use our brains in a way that strengthens our ability to memorize, count, follow a rhythm, and much more. For children, learning an instrument can help improve math and study skills.

Beginning Guitar (8 sessions, $144)

Participants ages 13 and up will learn by referencing popular songs including well-known rock songs. This class uses open and power chords, chord boxes and tablature to teach the basics of guitar. The instructor has a new learn-to-play book that is included with the course fee. Bring a fully strung guitar (preferably acoustic), electronic tuner (required), and a pencil. Please call Brian Gross at 301-320-6999 with any questions.

377235 starting 4/1 at Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center from 8:00 - 9:00 pm

Beginning Guitar for Kids (8 sessions, $144)

Kids ages 9-12 will learn to play the guitar the same way as the adult class – through using well-known songs, and using open and power chords, chord boxes and tablature. The instructor has a new learn-to-play book that is included with the course fee. Bring a fully strung guitar (preferably acoustic), electronic tuner (required), and a pencil. Please call Brian Gross at 301-320-6999 with any questions.

377236 starting 4/1 at Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center from 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Group Piano Popular Favorites ($8 sessions, $120)

Adults ages 18 and up will love this fun and exciting approach to music and piano! No need to be able to read music, you'll absorb that as you begin to play easy popular songs. You will be amazed by how much you can learn and retain in this relaxed and enjoyable environment. Participants should have a piano or keyboard available to them for practice.

377231 starting 4/1 at Holiday Park Senior Center from 12:15 – 1:05 pm

Exploring Music and Piano for Kids Level 1A (8 sessions, $200; 9 sessions, $225)

Kids ages 5-10 will benefit musically from this progressive program. Participants should plan to continue throughout the fall, winter and spring sessions in order to obtain optimum benefits. This course covers all the elements of Exploring Music and Piano classes with additional emphasis on expressive technique. Digital pianos are provided for participants use. Adult participation is required and children should have access to a piano for practice outside of class. A $15 material fee due to instructor at the first class.

377245 (8 sessions) starting 3/31 at Golden School of Music from 5:45 – 6:45 pm

37724 (9 sessions) starting 4/5 at Golden School of Music from 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Exploring Music and Piano Prep for Tots  (7, 8 and 9 session options)

Youngsters ages 3-5 will discover their love of music and explore their talents through musical aspects and concepts. This class covers rhythm, singing, ear training, movement, motor coordination and motor skills. Children play more complex percussion and melodic instruments as class progresses. Full parent participation and attention is required.  A $15 material fee due to instructor at the first class.

7 sessions, $134

376741 starting 3/31 at Golden School of Music from 12:45 – 1:45 pm

8 sessions, $153

376743 starting 4/5 at Golden School of Music from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

9 sessions, $172

376742 starting 4/3 at Golden School of Music from 5:00 – 6:00 pm