Annual Report of the Chair, Board of Governors And the General and Special Committees 2025
Aquatics, Fitness and Youth building, Summer Camps were in full-swing and at capacity throughout June and July, for six weeks of Sports Camp (pickleball, golf, swimming, crafts and games), as well as one week of “mini-camp” for the younger set and a week-long Art Camp to end the season. The carefully vetted counselor staff, many of whom are club members and former campers, provided a safe and stimulating environment. Visits to our newly refurbished Children’s Activity Center (Rainbow City) have steadily increased year over year in the past five years. Based on the results of a membership survey conducted by the Youth Activities Committee in late fall, several changes were instituted at Rainbow City. Weekday morning and evening hours of operation were expanded, child supervision was consistently offered in tandem with adult club events, and daily before/after care was provided for camp participants. Children three years of age and older enjoyed up to three hours daily of supervised play during the fall, spring, and summer months while their parents participated in club activities. Our infant and toddler population got to experience Rainbow City via the regularly scheduled Tiny Tots sessions, where little ones and their caregivers had opportunities to play and socialize in a safe and age-appropriate setting. The new awning and ground padding on the pool- facing side of the facility were installed early in the summer and provided not only excellent shade and outdoor play options for campers and Rainbow City kids but also expanded the available space for swim meets and poolside social events. One goal of the Junior Team was to explore the current and possible offerings for club’s adolescent population, specifically our twelve- to fifteen-year-old family members. Focus groups held in the summer of 2024 as well as comments on the Rainbow City survey yielded great ideas and feedback from our tweens/teens and their parents and ultimately resulted in several teen- specific events this year. Approximately 200 junior members attended our inaugural Teen Game Night in a transformed ballroom, and enjoyed arcade games, a putting green, large screen sports viewing, food/beverages and prizes. The event feedback was overwhelmingly positive from the kids and parents alike and generated enthusiasm for future events. Two teen pool parties were held over the summer, again with strong participation and highly satisfied participants. As established and codified several years ago, age thirteen is the junior age of independence for most sports and venues across the club. Junior members aged thirteen and older can independently utilize club facilities, once approved to do so safely and competently by the respective club professionals (e.g. Aquatics, Golf, and Tennis staff). In addition to sports offerings, junior members 13 years of age and older are welcome to use the fitness center, with age-specific supervision requirements, after completing a revamped orientation program with an ANCC trainer. Additionally, the Fitness and Wellness team developed a new class this summer specifically designed to increase performance in adolescent athletes. Aquatics, Golf and Raquet Sports offered individual and group lessons, team opportunities and social events for athletes across the skill spectrum. Swim and dive team membership was robust, and a cadre of enthusiastic coaches provided instruction, training, and competition opportunities for swimmers of all ages. Daily swimming lessons, by hand-selected instructors, were accessible at both Arlington and Fairfax pools, with ever more availability and flexibility. The number of Junior Golf and Raquet programs grows annually, as do the special events such as parent-child tournaments, junior member-guest, middle school and high school player preparation and competition opportunities. Tennis and golf staff were highly engaged in instructing and mentoring participants in half-day and full-day clinics and camps throughout the summer months. Pickleball instruction and play opportunities are also starting to arise for our younger members! Collectively, the ANCC team has delivered top quality programs and experiences for children and families throughout the past year, while recognizing that there are opportunities for continued growth and improvement. The Youth Activities Committee, henceforth known as the Youth Programs Committee, will continue to partner with our club professionals to create versatile and
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