Recreation Department Employee Earns Medals in the Special Olympics

Image via Montgomery County Recreation Media Relations

Montgomery County Recreation gives a shout to Milena Vanous (far right in photo) for her winning performances in the 2014 Maryland Special Olympics. Milena won two Silver medals and one bronze in the Alpine skiing events (Giant Slalom, Slalom, and Super G). Milena has been competitively skiing with Special Olympics for seven years and prior to this year’s events, she won numerous medals in cross-country skiing. In addition to skiing, Milena competes in track and field and sailing. When not on the slopes, you will find Milena working part time at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver Aquatic Center.

Science and Engineering Summer Camp: So Much Fun, Kids Don’t Know They Are Learning!

 Image via Mad Science on Facebook

Montgomery County wants all kids to love science and technology and one way to help is to make learning FUN. These camps cover an extensive range of topics including Lego engineering, crime solving, chemistry and space!

Mad Science 3-2-1 BLAST OFF! (Full Day, $379)

This camp is for kids ages 6-12 who want to learn about rockets and rocket flight. We will learn about the model rocket safety code, start building rockets, and participate in the launching, mission control, propulsion and finally recovery of the rockets we build. Campers will be divided into three groups: altitude trackers, launch preparation, and launchers. Every camper will have an opportunity to try all three.

372932 6/16 – 6/20 at DuFief Elementary School from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

372976 7/7 – 7/11 at Westover Elementary School from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Mad Science Earth Space and Beyond! (Full Day, $379 or Half Day, $199)

This class encourages kids ages 6-12 to really explore the world around them. We will explore the mysteries of the solar system including how astronauts live and work in space. We will learn about Morse code and send secret messages to our friends. And we’ll learn about water pollution, acid rain, and how to make our own paper from recycling everyday items!

372933 7/21 – 7/25 at DuFief Elementary School from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

372934 7/21 – 7/25 at DuFief Elementary School from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

372935 7/21 – 7/25 at DuFief Elementary School from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Mad Science Crime Scene and Chemistry! (Full Day, $379 or Half Day, $199)

Campers ages 6-12 will learn how the science behind life can help you solve a crime. We will design marshmallow molecules, experience blood pumping through the heart, witness air moving through the lungs, and use gooey ingredients to build a model cell and decode and decipher our DNA! Lastly, we will conduct electricity and power a Mad Science whirligig.

372929 7/7 – 7/11 at Stone Mill Elementary School from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

372930 7/7 – 7/11 at Stone Mill Elementary School from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

372931 7/7 – 7/11 at Stone Mill Elementary School from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

372926 8/18 – 8/22 at White Oak Community Recreation Center from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

372927 8/18 – 8/22 at White Oak Community Recreation Center from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

372928 8/18 – 8/22 at White Oak Community Recreation Center from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Lego Pre Engineering (Half Day, $209)

Campers ages 5-6 will enjoy letting their imaginations run wild with over 100,000 pieces of Lego! Kids will learn basic building techniques and will work with the guidance of a Play Well instructor to help their ideas become a reality! We will demonstrate new projects every day that include motorized and architectural challenges.

372774 6/16 – 6/20 at Stone Mill Elementary School from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

372770 6/23 – 6/27 at Potomac Elementary School from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

372771 7/14 – 7/18 at Westover Elementary School from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

372772 7/28 – 8/1 at Luxmanor Elementary School from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

372773 8/11 – 8/15 at Damascus Community Recreation Center from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Junior WeDo Lego Robotics (Half Day, $199)

Kids ages 5–7 will love this camp as we show them how to build wild animals, soccer-themed gadgets, and cool mechanisms. Parents will be wowed when we teach the campers how to program their creations using a laptop computer!

374154 7/7 – 7/11 at Olney Elementary School from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

374155 7/28 – 8/1 at Chevy Chase Elementary School from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Lego Engineering FUNdamentals (Half Day, $209)

Campers ages 8-12 will learn to apply physics, engineering and architecture concepts and build projects with access to over 100,000 pieces of Lego! We will demonstrate and help kids create a new project each day that includes motorized and mechanized projects with various architectural challenges.

372779 6/16 – 6/20 at Stone Mill Elementary School from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

372775 6/23 – 6/27 at Potomac Elementary School from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

372776 7/14 – 7/18 at Westover Elementary School from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

372777 7/28 – 8/1 at Luxmanor Elementary School from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

372778 8/11 – 8/15 at Damascus Community Recreation Center from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Lego Robotics Olympics (Half Day, $220)

Campers ages 8-12 will compete in simulated Olympic events that include sprinting, throwing, and shooting a hockey puck – the difference is that their robotic Lego creations will be doing all of it! We will learn about the principles of robotics, computer programming, and teamwork to build and compete.

374300 7/7 – 7/11 at Olney Elementary School from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

374301 7/28 – 8/1 at Chevy Chase Elementary School from 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Cooking classes in April

The Wonderful Wines of the Iberian Peninsula (1 session, $55)

The Iberian Peninsula consists of Spain and Portugal and is separated by North Africa by the very narrow Straight of Gibraltar. This class will explore the influences found in the food and wine of this unique region. We will start with a Garlic Shrimp Tapa, move onto Valencian Savory Empanadas, and a Sausage Tapa that will delight your taste buds. Pairing all of these dishes and more with wines from the region, and you have a wonderful date night or night out with a friend! You will leave with a full belly, a smile on your face, and armed with recipes and notes to help you recreate the evening on your own! A $25 food and wine fee is due to the instructor at the start of class. Participants must be age 21 and over.

377128 on 4/4 at Ross Boddy Community Recreation Center from 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Basic Cooking Skills (1 session, $65)

This popular class is back! Our very own Chef James Davis is going to help you feel more comfortable in the kitchen as you learn basic techniques including knife, cooking, and seasoning skills. Participants will learn how to slice, dice, and chop, then sharpen knives. We will cover how to sauté, stew, roast, braise, and sear, as well as how to improve upon natural flavor with a variety of spices available at your local grocery store. Bring an appetite because we will be making and eating Shrimp Quesadilla, Chicken and Dumplings, homemade coleslaw, and an Apple Berry Cobbler with whipped cream! A $20 food fee is due to the instructor at the start of class.  Participants must be age 15 and above.

377077 on 4/12 at Ross Boddy Community Recreation Center from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Dinner Casseroles (1 session, $65)

From Wikipedia, “A casserole, from the French word for ‘saucepan’, is a large, deep dish used both in the oven and as a serving vessel.” This class will explore the beauty of these “one dish meals” that are filling, nutritious, delicious, and leave you with only one dish to clean! In this class we will make 3 to 4 casseroles including a main dish of Shepherd Pie as well as an appetizer and a dessert. Come hungry because we eat what we make! A $20 food fee is due to the instructor at the start of class. Participants must be age 15 and above.

377080 on 4/26 at Ross Boddy Community Recreation Center from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm