American Tae Kwon Do Academy is a karate studio near the end of Main Street in the Kentlands, established in 2003. The owners' goal is for each student to be a leader at home, school, work and in the community, as fitting the "Black Belt" attitude. The training room is well-organized and extensively padded to ensure the safety of the students.
My Gym is a newer entry in the emerging children's gym trend. It offers independent classes for all ages, from Mighty Mights (3-4); Whiz Kids (4-6); Champions (6-8) and Cardio Kids (8-13) to karate and marshal arts, as well as Mommy & Me and other parent participation classes.
My Gym is also a popular destination for birthday parties. Kids are able to be active on the gym's kid-safe and well-padded equipment, and the staff entertain partygoers with games, songs, puppet shows and more.
Evolve is a mixed martial arts academy that takes pride in being family-friendly. Evolve offers more than 20 classes per week, specializing in Thai kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts. There are special discounts offered for families and public service workers, such as teachers and military personnel. Free trial classes are also available. See Evolve's Web site for a class schedule.
This indoor aquatic center is part of the Gaithersburg Middle School, but it is open to the public in the evenings. The six-lane, 25-yard pool also hosts a number of classes and camps throughout the year. Lockers and showers are accessible. Daily and season passes are available.
Dahn Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical excercise with meditation. This center is one of many franchises throughout the country. A regular class includes stretching, breathing excercises and meditation. Classes are held two to five times a day and last about an hour. This location offers classes, private sessions and workshops.
Patricia Kelbaugh Dance Studio offers a variety of dance courses for different ages and abilities. Beginning, intermediate and advanced classes can be taken in ballet, tap and jazz. Pointe and hip hop classes are also available.
Quince Orchard is a large club that has been a fixture in Gaithersburg since 1975. The club's massive pool, complete with a diving board and waterslide, opens into an outdoor snack shop with abundant picnic areas. The pool and courts are open-air May to September, and are enclosed during the winter months.
Seneca Creek State Park offers a variety of trails for mountain biking and hiking, playgrounds and picnic areas for family time and scenic views of Clopper Lake. It extends for 14 miles, following Seneca Creek through Montgomery County to the Potomac River. The 90-acre lake offers fishing and boating, as well. Visitors can explore the area's history on a short self-guided tour, and there is a disc-golf course and hunting within the park.
Green Park is for the dogs. A secluded patch of grass tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, Green Park features walking paths, an extensive playground and swings. There are wide-open fields, a dog exercise area, basketball and tennis courts, and benches for just relaxing.
Maryland Table Tennis Center has 11 tables, two full-time coaches (Cheng Yinghua & Jack Huang), bi-monthly tournaments, a Friday Night League for everyone, a Saturday Morning Elite League (USATT Rating 1900+), extensive junior training (group and private sessions), equipment sales and a large library of table tennis tapes. The club is for all levels and ages. It also offers open play: Come in any time, seven days a week, and play all day for only $7!
Built in 1985, the Upper County Community Center offers an array of classes that changes with each season. The center features a gymnasium with basketball, volleyball and badminton courts; a fitness room with weightlifting and cardio equipment; a social hall that can handle 150 people; a meeting room for groups of 25 or fewer; a partial-service kitchen; and pool tables and a ping pong table.
The adjoining Upper County Outdoor Pool at 8211 Emory Grove Rd. is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Its features include an eight-lane lap pool, a leisure pool with a towering water slide, a toddler pool, a snack bar and a bath house. Seasonal passes are $275 for a family and $195 for one person. One-day passes are $6 for county residents.
Joe Flaherty has been teaching competitive swimming since 1975 and continues to do so at the Quince Orchard Swim & Tennis Club in Gaithersburg. He also offers lessons and training for swimmers from 18 months to 60 years of age. Mr. Flaherty has the lowest coach-to-swimmer ratio in Montgomery County and very flexible scheduling. All skill levels are welcome to train. Training includes cardio, endurance and strength.