Recreation Clubs Open For The Summer

The first real weekend of summer, Memorial Day is the time to fire up the grill, don your sandals and head down to your local recreational club. Patch explored the selection this weekend to tell you about your choices.

1.

Darnestown Swim and Raquet Club kicked off its opening day on Memorial Day weekend with a party. Members enjoyed a picnic by the spacious pavilion adjacent to the six tennis courts. On the 16 acres owned by the club, an eighteen-hole disc golf course can be found.

The pool is open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, daily, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. The tennis courts open daily at 9 a.m.

Those who wish to join must first apply for membership, as there are limited slots. Applications are now open to new members and spaces are available. Contact the manager for a trial day.

Membership costs $2,000 as a refundable bond, payable over the first two seasons ($1,000 a year), plus a one-time $600 non-refundable initiation fee, plus $650 annual dues for a family membership.

A new member social will be held June 2 at 7pm. Beginning the week of June 20, tennis nights are held in the evenings weekly throughout the summer. Ladies Night is held Tuesdays, Men’s Night is held Wednesdays, and Teen Night is held Thursdays. The popular Crab Feast is scheduled for August. A full schedule of events and socials can be found on their site.

15004 Spring Meadows Dr, Darnestown; (301) 330-9616

2.

Kids dove off the deep end and rushed off to buy ice cream from the ever-present Good Humor van at Westleigh Recreation Club.

The pool is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, daily 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. with some exceptions due to holidays or special events.

Membership costs $350 non-refundable fee plus an annual payment (individual, $325; couple, $375; family, $495). Guest passes can be purchased at $10 for a family, and $5 for an individual.

The Clubhouse can be rented to parties and events. To schedule an event, call RSVPools at 302-330-0073. A terraced patio adjacent to a volleyball court has been the location of many barbeques and picnics in the past.

Westleigh offers tennis camps and lessons directed by Ed Tripp, as well as Kumon after-school math and reading courses.

14900 Dufief Mill Rd, North Potomac; (301)762-8085

3. Quince Orchard Swim & Tennis

Open year round and known to many during the winter months as The Bubble (which management prefers to call The Dome, more accurately), Quince Orchard Swim & Tennis is now accepting new members for the summer.

Membership is open to anyone and costs $520 annual dues plus an initiation fee, which is dependent on where a resident lives. The average amount is $300, but if a member is part of a homeowners group adjacent to the club, the fee is eligible for reduction.

The pool and tennis courts are open year round. The club offers cardio tennis, camps for six to nine year olds, arts and crafts classes, tennis camps, and scuba classes twice a month. Atlantic Edge Scuba provides equipment and is open to anyone. QO Swim and Tennis holds a popular 4th of July party.

16601 Roundabout Drive, Gaithersburg; (301) 948-3116