(Washington, DC) As DC Public Schools (DCPS) prepare to go on Spring Break, Mayor Muriel Bowser is reminding families that the District will be hosting daytime and evening programming next week and on Monday, April 18, to help keep students engaged during their out of school time.
DPR Spring Break Camps
DPR is providing full-day options for parents of youth ages 3-5 years old and 6-12 years old at recreation centers across the District from April 11-14. The camps will offer a blend of enrichment activities, sports, and arts and crafts.
DPR Fun Day
On Monday, April 18, when DCPS will be closed for staff development, DPR will offer Fun Day and Wee Fun Day camps for children ages 6-12 and 3-5, respectively, featuring enriching activities, sports, arts and crafts, and more.
#HealthyHeroesDC Kids Week
Next week, the District will host “#HealthyHeroesDC Kids Week,” featuring fun activities and community events with opportunities for students and families to get vaccinated against COVID-19. DC Health will also offer vaccination pop-ups at DPR Spring Break camps throughout the week. Visit backtoschool.dc.gov/kidsweek to learn more and see the full list of events.
Hair Love StoryWalk @ Bellevue Library
What: Children are invited to participate in an outdoor interactive picture walk of the book Hair Love. The event will also feature face painting and other surprise activities.
When: Monday, April 11, 12 pm – 4 pm
Where: Bellevue Library
Rosedale Spring Fling
What: A fun-filled spring event where families will enjoy some food, games, and music.
When: Wednesday, April 13, 2 pm – 6 pm
Where: Rosedale Recreation Center Football Field
Hillcrest Easter Jamboree
What: A fun day of arts & crafts, scavenger hunts, and more.
When: Thursday, April 14, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Where: Hillcrest Recreation Center
Easter Eggstravaganza and Movie Night @ Fort Stanton Recreation Center
What: Community Easter event with music, game stations, obstacle courses, arts and crafts tables, and easter egg hunt, followed by a special showing.
When: Thursday, April 14
1 pm – 4 pm (Egg Hunt)
5 pm – 7 pm (Movie)
Where: Fort Stanton Recreation Center
Spring Fling Dive
What: Youth will participate in an egg dive in the swimming pool.
When: Saturday, April 16, 1 pm – 4:30 pm
Where: Turkey Thicket Aquatic Center
Mayor Bowser also continues to encourage DC youth ages 5-12 to participate in the #HealthyHeroesDC Youth Art Contest. Students can submit their artwork showcasing how they are protecting their community, including getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Selected winners will have their artwork featured in a District wide media campaign. Visit backtoschool.dc.gov/YouthArtContest to learn more.
Other DPR Community Events
Pastel Color Extravaganza
What: Youth will decorate eggs and baskets to take home, incorporating an egg hunt and candy.
When: Monday, April 11, 3 pm – 5 pm
Where: Barry Farm Recreation Center
Intergenerational Spring Walk-a-Thon
What: Come walk into spring! We will have a pre-game warm-up party, an all-in team stretch session, and cool down.
When: Wednesday, April 13, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Fort Stevens Recreation Center Basketball Court
Intergenerational Spring Bling
What: Seniors and teens will come together to meet and greet, and congregate listening to different genres of music using silent headphones.
When: Wednesday, April 13, 1 pm – 3 pm
Where: Columbia Heights Community Center
Spring Seekers Finders Keepers
What: A scavenger hunt for eggs with small prizes.
When: Wednesday, April 13, 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Arthur Capper Playground
Late Night Hype 2.0
What: A teen-night and pool party from 7 – 11 pm that continues with open rec activities until sunrise.
When: Thursday, April 14, 7 pm – 11 pm (Open rec: 11 pm – sunrise)
Where: Deanwood Recreation Center and Pool
Trinidad & Tobago Under-20 National Team Tryouts
What: Residents can watch invited North American-based Trinbagonian players scrimmage for a chance to join the Trinidad & Tobago Under-20 National Team that will compete in CONCACAF championships this summer in Honduras.
When: Saturday, April 16 & Sunday, April 17, 9 am – 12 pm
Where: Edgewood Recreation Center
Intergenerational Easter Egg Hunt
When: Monday, April 18, 4 pm – 5 pm
Where: Fort Stevens Seniors Center
Eagles Easter Egg-stravaganza & Egg-luminate Night Hunt
What: Annual Easter celebration event for the Bald Eagle & Ward 8 community.
When: Monday, April 18, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Bald Eagle Recreation Center
To learn more and register for events, please visit dpr.events.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Petalpalooza
What: Celebrate spring at Petalpalooza for a full day of live music and engaging activities. The evening is capped by a fireworks show.
When: Saturday, April 16, 1 pm – 9 pm
Where: Capitol Riverfront at the Yards
Smithsonian Museums
Admission is free of charge at all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo. Timed-entry passes are only required at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Zoo. A full schedule for Smithsonian Museums and the National Zoo can be found online.
Family Success Centers
The District’s family success centers in Wards 7 and 8 will be open next week, Monday – Thursday, from 8:15 am – 4:45 pm. Vaccinations will be offered throughout the success centers.
| Ward 7 | Ward 8 |
|---|---|
| Benning Terrace/Benning Park | Woodland Terrace |
| Clay Terrace | Anacostia |
| Mayfair/Paradise | Congress Heights |
| Stoddart Terrace/37th St. | Washington Highlands |
| Benning & Minnesota Ave. | Bellevue |
Open Indoor DPR Pools
Nine indoor pools are open across the District next week, including Marie Reed, Wilson, Roosevelt, Turkey Thicket, Dunbar, William H. Rumsey, Deanwood, HD Woodson, and Barry Farm. For hours of individual pools, please visit dpr.dc.gov/page/indoor-pools (all DPR facilities are closed Friday, April 15, in observance of DC Emancipation Day).
Open DCPL Neighborhood Libraries
DC Public Library (DCPL) locations will be open all week, with select locations open on Friday, April 15. The Anacostia Library, Benning Library, Mt. Pleasant Library, Petworth Library, Southwest Library, Tenley-Friendship Library, Woodridge Library, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will be open on Friday, April 15, from 10 am – 6 pm All Library locations will be closed on Saturday, April 16 for DC Emancipation Day and on Sunday, April 17 for Easter.
Out-of-School Time Programming
The District’s Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST) partners with community-based organizations to offer youth enriching opportunities to grow and thrive outside the classroom. A full list of available programs across all eight wards can be found here.
Meal Distribution
DPR Meal Distribution sites will offer meals from 12 pm – 2 pm at 18 sites from Monday, April 11 through Thursday, April 14. A full list of sites is available at dpr.dc.gov/afterschoolmeals.
Meal distribution sites at DCPS be closed from April 11 through April 15. On Friday, April 8 from 10 am – 2 pm, open meal sites will distribute up to seven breakfast and lunch kits since meal sites will be closed during Spring Break. Youth can visit Anacostia HS, Ballou HS, Columbia Heights EC, Dunbar HS, Eastern HS, Hardy MS, Jackson-Reed (Wilson) HS, Ron Brown HS, Roosevelt HS, and HD Woodson HS to receive meals.
During Spring Break, DC Central Kitchen’s mobile meal truck will be making stops at select schools. The free lunch bags - that include two days’ worth of healthy proteins, fruit, and milk - will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Meal delivery schedule below.
Monday, April 11; Wednesday, April 13; and Friday, April 15:
- Ron Brown Preparatory High School – 10:30 am
- Burrville Elementary School – 11:15 am
- Drew Elementary School – 12 pm
- Smothers Elementary School – 12:45 pm
- Walker Jones Campus – 1:30 pm
- Marvin Gaye Way (near Woodson HS)
Tuesday, April 12; Thursday, April 14; and Monday, April 18
- Thomas Elementary School – 10:30 am
- Nalle Elementary School – 11:15 am
- CW Harris Elementary School – 12 pm
- Kelly Miler Middle School – 12:45 pm
- Aiton Elementary School – 1:30 pm
- Marvin Gaye Park (near Minnesota Ave and Benning Rd) – 2:15 pm
Social Media:
Mayor Bowser Twitter: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos