The goal of A Class Act - Acting for Young People & Adults, Inc. is to provide actors of all ages with professional-level training in a supportive and fun environment. Classes such as Creative Play, Musical Theater, Improv, and Acting for the Camera, are offered on Saturdays, and Summer Arts Camp is offered in one-week increments from the end of June through the end of July. All the young actors participate in a performance piece for families and friends on the final day of each camp session.

Abrakadoodle inspires the artist in every child. The national mobile arts education program meets both the National and State Standards for visual arts education. Classes are developmentally appropriate and introduce kids to color, texture, shape, and creativity. Abrakadoodle programs are broken into age-appropriate groupings, including Twoosy Doodlers, for children age 20-36 months; Mini Doodlers, for children age three through Kindergarten; Doodlers, for children in grades one through six.

A summer camp, Camp Abrakadoodle, is offered for children ages three through 12. Abrakadoodle Parties are led by an art teacher and feature age-appropriate activities and art lessons, plus each party guest leaves with a framed piece of their own original art.

Abrakadoodle inspires the artist in every child. The national mobile arts education program meets both the National and State Standards for visual arts education. Classes are developmentally appropriate and introduce kids to color, texture, shape, and creativity. Abrakadoodle programs are broken into age-appropriate groupings, including Twoosy Doodlers, for children age 20-36 months; Mini Doodlers, for children age three through Kindergarten; Doodlers, for children in grades one through six.

A summer camp, Camp Abrakadoodle, is offered for children ages three through 12. Abrakadoodle Parties are led by an art teacher and feature age-appropriate activities and art lessons, plus each party guest leaves with a framed piece of their own original art.

Abrakadoodle inspires the artist in every child. The national mobile arts education program meets both the National and State Standards for visual arts education. Classes are developmentally appropriate and introduce kids to color, texture, shape, and creativity. Abrakadoodle programs are broken into age-appropriate groupings, including Twoosy Doodlers, for children age 20-36 months; Mini Doodlers, for children age three through Kindergarten; Doodlers, for children in grades one through six.

A summer camp, Camp Abrakadoodle, is offered for children ages three through 12. Abrakadoodle Parties are led by an art teacher and feature age-appropriate activities and art lessons, plus each party guest leaves with a framed piece of their own original art.

Abrakadoodle inspires the artist in every child. The national mobile arts education program meets both the National and State Standards for visual arts education. Classes are developmentally appropriate and introduce kids to color, texture, shape, and creativity. Abrakadoodle programs are broken into age-appropriate groupings, including Twoosy Doodlers, for children age 20-36 months; Mini Doodlers, for children age three through Kindergarten; Doodlers, for children in grades one through six.

A summer camp, Camp Abrakadoodle, is offered for children ages three through 12. Abrakadoodle Parties are led by an art teacher and feature age-appropriate activities and art lessons, plus each party guest leaves with a framed piece of their own original art.

Abrakadoodle inspires the artist in every child. The national mobile arts education program meets both the National and State Standards for visual arts education. Classes are developmentally appropriate and introduce kids to color, texture, shape, and creativity. Abrakadoodle programs are broken into age-appropriate groupings, including Twoosy Doodlers, for children age 20-36 months; Mini Doodlers, for children age three through Kindergarten; Doodlers, for children in grades one through six.

A summer camp, Camp Abrakadoodle, is offered for children ages three through 12. Abrakadoodle Parties are led by an art teacher and feature age-appropriate activities and art lessons, plus each party guest leaves with a framed piece of their own original art.

Facilities at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park include two gymnasiums, approximately 8,000 sqaure feet each (with a moveable partition for use separately or together), plus two large basketball courts in the gymnasium; three multi-purpose rooms; and a Fitness Center. Classes, such as gymnastics and basketball are offered, as well as summer camps.

The longest-running children's theater in the DC area, Adventure Theatre presents fully staged live productions of fables, fairy tales, musicals, and children's classics.

A free book club encourages kids to read books the plays are about before seeing them performed. Children who register receive a membership pin, a book club passport - stamped for each play seen, name recognition on a lobby display, and a certificate of completion. Special book club performances (for which members get two discounted tickets) are offered for each production, and include post-show discussions and activities.

The theater is climate-controlled and has a capacity of 193 in comfortable, tiered, stadium-style seating.

Classes are offered in the Fall, Winter, and Spring, in all phases of the dramatic arts, for both children and adults.

During the summer, teen and kid workshops are offered from 9am to 3pm.

The city of Alexandria has played an enormous role in the history of America. So it makes sense that the Alexandria Archaeology Museum exhibits tell the story of archaeologists and volunteers working to bring Alexandria's buried past to light. Excavated artifacts ranging from prehistory to the Civil War are on display.

Would your kids like to be TimeTravelers? Visit www.timetravelers.org to get involved in this fun passport program searching for objects and information from the past.

Schedule an Alexandria Archaeology Adventure Lesson and uncover the past by examining artifacts, old maps, and archival materials from the city's excavated sites. The Lessons, 45-minute hands on activities, are perfect
for K-12 school groups, scouts, and birthday parties.

Y programs are extremely family-oriented. Kids and adults alike can learn to swim in the 25-yard indoor pool, dribble on the basketball half-court, take lessons in Shotokan karate, and more.

Swimming lessons are available for children as young as six months (with parent) and continue through adulthood. This branch also offers classes and clinics in basketball, karate, yoga, and dance.

Afterschool care for kids in grades K-7 is available, as well as babysitting for children six months through five years of age while parents are using the Y facilities. Spring and Summer Camp programs at this branch are offered in weekly increments.

The Alexandria Country Day School is a nonsectarian, coeducational, independent school serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade, with a focus on small classes (the student/teacher ratio is 8/1), engaged and experienced teachers, an academically-challenging curriculum, and an active and supportive parent community. In addition to three levels of classrooms, the building and grounds feature a gymnasium/auditorium, a science laboratory, a library, art and music rooms, a fully equipped and staffed computer laboratory, playgrounds, and a playing field.

At All Fired Up, children and families can let their inner artist shine on any one of hundreds of pottery pieces (even dishes for your pets) or mosaic designs. The glazes are nontoxic and lead free so children and babies can participate. The studio provides the pottery, paints, design ideas (stencils, stamps, etc.), and the firing. It takes about a week before the finished piece can be picked up.

Lots of birthday party (and other kinds of parties too!) packages are available, and they all include the pottery, invitations, balloons, and paper plates and forks.

Summer camp, for children ages six to twelve, is offeed weekly throughout the summer, for either a half day or a full day.

At All Fired Up, children and families can let their inner artist shine on any one of hundreds of pottery pieces (even dishes for your pets) or mosaic designs. The glazes are nontoxic and lead free so children and babies can participate. The studio provides the pottery, paints, design ideas (stencils, stamps, etc.), and the firing. It takes about a week before the finished piece can be picked up.

Lots of birthday party (and other kinds of parties too!) packages are available, and they all include the pottery, invitations, balloons, and paper plates and forks.

Summer camp, for children ages six to twelve, is offeed weekly throughout the summer, for either a half day or a full day.

All Star Legacy Cheerleading and Dance offers cheerleading, tumbling, and dance classes for children ages three and up and a competitive cheer program for ages six and up in a 12,000 square foot facility. Tutsi Rolls, a parent/child class for children 18 months through age four, is a biweekly open gym where little ones can play around on the equipment, including a moon bounce, tumble track, air track, and more.

The Amazing Life Games Cooperative Preschool is a parent-teacher cooperative preschool for children ages two and a half through five that offers a stimulating yet comfortable environment where children can freely interact and learn. All of the teachers are certified and have been with the school for over ten years. The teachers' longtime commitment to the school contributes to the rapport between staff members, and provides stability for the children.

Throughout the day teachers and parents place a premium on creative play. Special teachers provide weekly opportunities for music, movement and yoga, and dramatic play. In addition to feeding the imagination, these activities help children learn to be part of a cooperative team. There are two outdoor spaces to allow for plenty of outdoor time, bike riding, gardening, and physical activity.

Every day at ALG begins with an art project, often with emphasis on a monthly focus, such as black history, fire safety, or holidays. Through imaginative play, children learn to be part of a loose team and begin to relate to one another as individuals. Academic concepts, such as letters, numbers, and colors, are incorporated into daily play. Singing, movement, and improvisation classes provide opportunities for self-expression. There are also frequent field trips to museums, the Smithsonian's Discovery Theater, a fire station, and other interesting places.

Summer Arts Camps, for kids ages three through eight, are led by the same professional preschool teachers who emphasize creative play and cooperation during the school year.

The American Dance Institute offers three dance programs for children: Pre-ballet, Pre-professional Ballet, and Dance for All. Pre-ballet introduces students (ages 3-7) to ballet through work with movement patterns, ballet positions, body coordination, and musical rhythms.
Pre-professional Ballet training begins at age eight where appropiate, or students continue dance training in a less formal setting through the Institute's Dance for All classes, which include ballet, modern, and jazz.

Classes are offered on a schedule similar to the school year, from September through June, and a select number are offered during the summer, as well as a few summer camps.

Andy's Parties is a full-service children's party (best for ages three through 11) and event planning company. The basic party package includes games, music, a craft activity for every guest to take home, pizza, juice, cupcakes, ice cream, goodie bags, and a special gift for the birthday child. Set-up, cleanup, and all supplies are included, and the event is led by Andy's Parties staff members.

There are lots of ways to add on to or customize the basic package as well - theme parties (princess parties, safari parties, pirate parties, sports-themed parties, holiday parties, dance parties...), a magic show, balloons and other decorations, and more. Andy's Parties leads parties at your home or other venue, or can host in-store parties (up to 18 children).

Andy's Parties also offers enrichment classes for kids (ages birth through 10) - such as Mommy and Me Playgroup, Kaleidoscope Adventures Class, and Kaleidoscope Chronicles - plus classes from independent instructors such as KinderMusik and Abrakadoodle. Check the website for current classes.

Summer Themed Mini-Camps - five-day morning camps for children ages three to seven - are offered from the end of June through August. Themes include Pirates, Princesses, Dinosaurs, Safari Animals, and Mixed Themes Weeks. They fill up quickly, so check the website for registration information.

Y programs are extremely family-oriented. The Anthony Bowen YMCA offers fitness, basketball, and swimming classes, plus an Enrichment Program for school-age kids. There is also a Creative Development Child Care Center, offering full-time and before- and after-school care for infants, preschoolers, and school-age children in a nurturing and educational environment.

A variety of summer day camps, including sports, science, swimming, drama, and art are offered each year for children ages four to 14.

The Arlington Arts Center is a private, nonprofit contemporary visual arts center dedicated to presenting and supporting new work of regional artists from the Mid-Atlantic States. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and subsidized studio spaces, the center serves as a bridge between artists and the public.

Classes are offered year-round for children ages four and up, including week-long summer classes.

Arlisa Hagan's Georgetown Volleyball Camp is designed to improve the fundamental skills of volleyball: serving, passing, setting, attacking, blocking, and individual defense. Three summer camps are offered - youth, beginner, and advanced - allowing every camper to learn at the appropriate pace for their skill level.

The Youth Day Camp is designed to introduce girls and boys between the ages of eight and 13 to the game of volleyball. The fundamental techniques of the game are taught in an age and skill appropriate manner by the Hoya Staff. Lunch is provided each day. Campers also receive a youth sized t-shirt and a volleyball for participation in camp. Camp dates for 2008 are July 14-18.

The beginner and advanced camps are for girls ages 11-18, and are available as commuter or overnight camps. The Beginners Skill Camp is for players with limited or no volleyball experience. Each skill is taught in depth in both individual and controlled game situations. The Advanced Skills Camp is for players with one or more years of varsity or club volleyball experience. Campers are trained in the same manner as the Hoyas, by Hoya staff and players. In addition to the skills of the game, campers work on team defensive and offensive systems. Competition also takes place during camp. Camp dates for 2008 are July 21-24.

art.smart.kids is an art curriculum based on art history and specifically designed for young children. In each session, children discover art through learning the history of art; exploring various artistic techniques, methods, and mediums; and creating their own works of art. art.smart.kids offers classes for children ages 18 months to 10 years at various venues in the area. Currently classes are held at At Play Cafe in Reston, VA and The Story Tellers in Occoquan, VA. Summer camps are held out of the director's home studio in Herndon, VA.

Artworks Fine Art Studio is dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of fine art; classes focus on the fundamentals of drawing and painting. Instructors at Artworks use a step-by-step teaching process which helps children produce beautiful works of art, while at the same time, building self esteem. Students begin by learning basic drawing and pastel techniques, and once this level has been mastered, they move on to watercolors, and eventually oils. Classes are offered after school and on Saturdays.

Summer camp, for children ages five to twelve, is a weekly day camp exploring many different art mediums hands-on, such as painting, sculpture, candy making, t-shirt decorating, and more.

Birthday parties consist of one hour of teaching, followed by half and hour for refreshments and an art show. Artworks provides decorated studio space and an art lesson with a finished piece each child can take home.

Artworks Fine Art Studio is dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of fine art; classes focus on the fundamentals of drawing and painting. Instructors at Artworks use a step-by-step teaching process which helps children produce beautiful works of art, while at the same time, building self esteem. Students begin by learning basic drawing and pastel techniques, and once this level has been mastered, they move on to watercolors, and eventually oils. Classes are offered after school and on Saturdays.

Summer camp, for children ages five to twelve, is a weekly day camp exploring many different art mediums hands-on, such as painting, sculpture, candy making, t-shirt decorating, and more.

Birthday parties consist of one hour of teaching, followed by half and hour for refreshments and an art show. Artworks provides decorated studio space and an art lesson with a finished piece each child can take home.

Ashburn Ice House offers public skating and lessons for all ages - including a Mommy/Daddy and Me Tot Skating Class, as well as myriad ice sports. This rink features two NHL Sized ice rinks, professional-style locker rooms, a pro shop, a state-of-the-art fitness center, POMODORO Pasta, Pizza, & More restaurant, the Mezzanine/Viewing Lounge, a dance studio, and a video arcade.

Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park is approximately 76,000 square feet in size and houses a 50m x 25yd pool, one 3m and two 1m diving boards, and a Super Slide. The natatorium also contains spectator seating, a spacious outdoor sundeck, and locker rooms with saunas and showers. In addition to the various racquetball/wallyball, and squash courts, the center has a large gymnasium with six basketball hoops, and volleyball nets. The center also contains a dance room, a pottery lab and kiln, an arts and crafts room, a photography lab, three multi-purpose activity rooms, a kitchen, and a senior center/teen zone.

Overlooking the natatorium and gymnasium is a fitness center, equipped with Cybex machines connected to the FitLinxx network, a wide selection of cardiovascular equipment, free-weights, and a stretching area.

Surrounding the center are numerous trails, including the Cross County Trail, utilized by cyclists, runners, and nature lovers. In addition to the well-lit outdoor basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, the center is surrounded by baseball, softball, and soccer fields, and the Wakefield Skate Park.

Various classes and camp programs are offered at the center. See the website for more information.

The goal of the Audubon Naturalist Society is to foster stewardship of the region's environment by educating citizens about the natural world, promoting conservation of biodiversity, and protecting wildlife habitat. To this end, it manages three nature sanctuaries and offers a variety of activities, including family programs, children's classes, a nature preschool, birthday parties, summer camps, and more.

The Society's headquarters are at the Woodend Sanctuary, a 40-acre nature sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD featuring the Woodend mansion - on the National Historical Register - a wildflower meadow, meandering trails, and a pond. The Rust Sanctuary property in Leesburg, VA includes a manor house and 68 acres of land with a pond, forest, and meadow. The Webb Sanctuary's 20 acres are on the edge of Clifton, a restored 19th century railroad village in southern Fairfax County. Features include a small stream flowing by a meadow, native orchids, several amphibian species, and a good variety of birds. A self-guided trail winds through the property.

Birthday parties can be held at the Woodend Sanctuary. Families choose from one of seven nature and science-inspired themes. Birthday celebrants spend an hour exploring nature and participating in activities and games led by a naturalist, then have time for birthday food and cake. Contact Sarah Krizek at 301.652.9188 ext. 26 for more information.

The Audubon Nature Preschool is a morning preschool program for four-year-old children located at the Woodend Sanctuary. The preschool builds on children's inherent curiosity about the world by using hands-on, nature-based activities to foster social, physical, and academic skill development. The 40-acre outdoor environment and Edwin Way Teale Learning Center serve as natural venues for language, artistic, and musical expression as well as scientific observations and discoveries. Contact Stephanie Burpee at 301.652.9188 x41 for more information.

Offering unique nature programs for children ages four to 16, the Audubon Naturalist Society's summer camps are designed to foster environmental awareness and expand natural and cultural knowledge. Sessions are held at the Woodend and Rust Sanctuaries, are taught by experienced environmental educators, and maintain a teacher ratio of eight to one. Camps feature fun experiences with the natural world through hands-on activities, hikes, games, crafts, and experiments.

The Audubon Naturalist Society also offers school programs, Cub Scout and Girl Scout programs and children's and family programs. Please see the website for more information.

The goal of the Audubon Naturalist Society is to foster stewardship of the region's environment by educating citizens about the natural world, promoting conservation of biodiversity, and protecting wildlife habitat. To this end, it manages three nature sanctuaries and offers a variety of activities, including family programs, children's classes, a nature preschool, birthday parties, summer camps, and more.

The Society's headquarters are at the Woodend Sanctuary, a 40-acre nature sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD featuring the Woodend mansion - on the National Historical Register - a wildflower meadow, meandering trails, and a pond. The Rust Sanctuary property in Leesburg, VA includes a manor house and 68 acres of land with a pond, forest, and meadow. The Webb Sanctuary's 20 acres are on the edge of Clifton, a restored 19th century railroad village in southern Fairfax County. Features include a small stream flowing by a meadow, native orchids, several amphibian species, and a good variety of birds. A self-guided trail winds through the property.

Birthday parties can be held at the Woodend Sanctuary. Families choose from one of seven nature and science-inspired themes. Birthday celebrants spend an hour exploring nature and participating in activities and games led by a naturalist, then have time for birthday food and cake. Contact Sarah Krizek at 301.652.9188 ext. 26 for more information.

The Audubon Nature Preschool is a morning preschool program for four-year-old children located at the Woodend Sanctuary. The preschool builds on children's inherent curiosity about the world by using hands-on, nature-based activities to foster social, physical, and academic skill development. The 40-acre outdoor environment and Edwin Way Teale Learning Center serve as natural venues for language, artistic, and musical expression as well as scientific observations and discoveries. Contact Stephanie Burpee at 301.652.9188 x41 for more information.

Offering unique nature programs for children ages four to 16, the Audubon Naturalist Society's summer camps are designed to foster environmental awareness and expand natural and cultural knowledge. Sessions are held at the Woodend and Rust Sanctuaries, are taught by experienced environmental educators, and maintain a teacher ratio of eight to one. Camps feature fun experiences with the natural world through hands-on activities, hikes, games, crafts, and experiments.

The Audubon Naturalist Society also offers school programs, Cub Scout and Girl Scout programs and children's and family programs. Please see the website for more information.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Artsy Class for Little Kids in DC, Baby Ballerina is a dance studio for children ages one- through six-years old. At this school for little princesses, children enter a magical world designed to encourage their creativity, rhythm, and confidence. The studio offers ballet, tumbling, tap, and jazz instruction filled with fairies and fairytales to infuse the love of dance in every child involved regardless of their age.

To showcase student's accomplishments and foster self-esteem, recitals are held throughout the year - including Baby Nutcracker at Christmas. There is a Summer Princess Camp Program for ages two to six with dance, crafts, and performance at the end of the week. Several special Princess-themed birthday party packages are also available.

Ballet Petite's specialized curriculum is designed specifically for younger children, and is an intermediate step between natural movement and formal classical ballet training, progressing from creative movement to pre-primary ballet through age five. Ballet Petite brings together fundamental dance instruction with costumes, props, music, and acting, and the enchantment of fairytales and ballet stories. Ballet Petite also offers classes in Kindermusik Sign and Sing and Musical Theater. The Youth Performing Arts School provides more advanced instruction in ballet, musical theater, jazz, tap, acting, and voice for children six and older.

Classes are grouped by age at first, with the younger two- and three-year olds dancing with their parents or caregivers. Four- and five-year olds progress to pre-ballet and tap classes on their own. Classes for children six and up are based on ability. New students can call to arrange a free trial class.

Summer camps are offered for kids two and a half and older (half days for the little ones), with themes ranging from Dr. Seuss to American Girls to Broadway.

Budding ballerinas can also have a birthday party in one of the studios. Call for more details.

Ballet Petite's specialized curriculum is designed specifically for younger children, and is an intermediate step between natural movement and formal classical ballet training, progressing from creative movement to pre-primary ballet through age five. Ballet Petite brings together fundamental dance instruction with costumes, props, music, and acting, and the enchantment of fairytales and ballet stories. Ballet Petite also offers classes in Kindermusik Sign and Sing and Musical Theater. The Youth Performing Arts School provides more advanced instruction in ballet, musical theater, jazz, tap, acting, and voice for children six and older.

Classes are grouped by age at first, with the younger two- and three-year olds dancing with their parents or caregivers. Four- and five-year olds progress to pre-ballet and tap classes on their own. Classes for children six and up are based on ability. New students can call to arrange a free trial class.

Summer camps are offered for kids two and a half and older (half days for the little ones), with themes ranging from Dr. Seuss to American Girls to Broadway.

Budding ballerinas can also have a birthday party in one of the studios. Call for more details.