Living
Camp time!
D.C. area offers wide range of indoor, outdoor, day and overnight options


Adventure Theatre gives kids chances to learn theater of several kinds. (Photo courtesy Adventure)
Summer may seem far away but registration time for summer camp programs is already here. Here are camps all ranging in various interests and age groups that are both fun and LGBT-friendly for campers.
Adventure Theatre (7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Md.) offers two musical theater summer camp programs, one for children in grades one-six and one for grades six-12. Grades one-six focuses on singing, dancing and acting with props, costumes and scene-work for two-week sessions. Each session is $750-$800. Grades six-12 can choose from three different sessions that focus on Broadway rival study, golden age musical study and contemporary musical study. These sessions are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sessions run for three weeks and are $1,200. Before and after care are available for both age groups. For more information and to begin registration, visit adventuretheatre-mtc.org.
Silver Stars Gymnastics has two locations in the area ā Silver Spring (2701 Pittman Drive) and Bowie (14201 Woodcliff Court) with programs for children ages 3 and a half to 15.The summer camp programs teach children basic gymnastics skills such as cartwheels, jumps, tucks, twists and flips. Sessions are a week long with options to attend full day, extended full day, half day and extended half days. Full days are from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for $305. Half days are from 9 a.m.-noon and are $240. Extended sessions are an extra fee ranging from $25-65. For more information, visit gosilverstars.com.
CommuniKids Preschool and Children Language Center offers summer language immersion programs for children ages 2 and a half to 8 at its two locations in D.C. (4719 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) and Falls Church (510 N. Washington St., Falls Church, Va.). The D.C. location offers the program in Spanish and the Falls Church location offers Spanish and French. There are six sessions that last one-week. Full days are from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and half days are from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Full days are $400 and half days are $265. Extended before and after care is also available for additional fees ranging from $20-50. For more details, visit communikids.com.
Georgetown Day School offers a variety of summer camps including dance, debate, math, touch-typing, fine film and more. There is also an option to design your own camp for a $400 fee. Traditional camp styles such as Hopper Day Camp for ages 5 through fourth grade are also available that has activities such as arts and crafts, cooking and day trips. Six sessions are available from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Each session is $400. For more details on Hopper Day Camp and other camps offered, visit gds.org.
The YMCA in D.C. has a number of different camps for children of all ages. Cooking Delight teaches basic cooking and nutrition, Pirate Splash has different pirate themed games and activities, Creative Writing which allows campers to work on their own short stories and many more. YMCA also offers Camp Letts (4009 Camp Letts Rd., Edgewater, Md.), a day and overnight camp, that offers traditional camp activities such as kayaking and horseback riding. For more details on specific camps and pricing, visit ymcadc.org and campletts.org.
The Lowell School (1640 Kalmia Rd., N.W.) has summer programs for children ages 2 and three quarters through 15. Young campers in pre-K and kindergarten programs enjoy a combination of in-class and outdoors activities aimed toward self -discovery and building social skills. Campers in grades one-six can participate in daily workshops as well as in a variety of specialty camps. Teens can explore the city in Amazing Race D.C. and Get out! Trips Camp. There are two full sessions and two mini camp sessions. Partial financial aid is available. For a list of prices and camps, visit lowellschool.org.
DAR Museum (1776 D St., N.W.) offers Junior Historian Camp for children ages 9-12 from July 14-18. The camp teaches children about D.C. from 1800-1815. Learn about the capitolās architecture, art, archeology, maps, museums and more of the time period. Fun activities such as taking field trips, doing a mock archaeology excavation and making your own exhibition are offered. The program is from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The fee is $300. For more information, visit dar.org.
Circle Yoga (3838 Northampton St., N.W.) has Budding Yogis summer camp for kids ages 4-12. This program teaches mindful yoga while also incorporating group games, camp songs and arts and crafts. Children ages 4-7 have half day camp from 9 a.m.-noon for $250 per week. Children ages 6-12 have full day camp from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for $365 per week. There are two half-day session camps and seven full-day camp sessions. Sessions last one week. For more information, visit circleyoga.com.
TIC Camp offers summer camp programs that focus on sports and technology for kids ages 7-12 with locations in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Sports options available include ultimate Frisbee, soccer, dance and more. Technology programs range from web development to animation and filmmaking. Tuition is $825 per session with four session dates per location. Extended day sessions are available for an additional $200. For more details, visit ticcamp.com.
Green Acres School (11701 Danville Dr., North Bethesda, Md.) has multiple summer programs for kids of all ages. Activities include swimming and indoor and outdoor activities. Kreative Kangaroos is for younger children and offers small group activities with no more than six children per group for closer interaction. Junior camp is for children in kindergarten through second grade. Kreative Kangaroos and Junior Camp have one six-week session from June 16-July 25. Junior campers are required to sign up for all six weeks. Senior camp is for children completing second through sixth grade in June and offers two three-week sessions. Junior and senior camp is $2,490 for six weeks. Senior camp is $1,485 for three weeks. Camp financial aid is available. For more details, visit greenacres.org.
Corcoran Gallery of Artās Camp Creativity offers sessions in Georgetown, downtown, Hill Center and Capitol Hill Day School. Programs are available for children ages 5-16. Learnt to paint with watercolors, illustrate stories and how to launch a magazine. Prices vary by location and program. For more details, visit corcoran.org/camps.
Real Estate
Surprising parallels between dating and house hunting
Both require patience, effort, and a clear idea of what you want

Valentineās Day is often associated with romance, chocolates, and candlelit dinners. However, for eligible singles, this holiday can be about more than just relationshipsāit can also be the perfect time to invest in real estate.
Anyone who has been in the dating scene long knows that finding āthe oneā can be challenging. Whether youāre searching for love or the perfect home, there are surprising parallels between dating and house hunting. Both require patience, time, effort, and a clear idea of what you want.
Just like dating, home buying requires a well-thought-out list of must-haves and deal-breakers. Understanding your needs will help you find the perfect match, whether in love or real estate.
Are you looking for a cozy condo in the city, or do you prefer a suburban single-family home with a yard? Perhaps a renovated kitchen will spur you into cooking up the perfect recipe for love.
Do you want a fixer-upper to mold into your own vision? (Note: Molding to your idea of perfection works better with houses than with potential life mates.) What about being a landlord with a rental unit that can help with mortgage payments? Or, if you prefer, keep it empty to house your beloved on the days you argue.
Does your taste run toward the bearded, Paul Bunyan look of a cabin in the woods surrounded by bears? Is the sleek, sophisticated high-rise more your style? And what about the Dad-bod style of a ā70s split level in the suburbs?
When dating, first impressions can be powerful, and so can the first look at a home. Curb appeal and initial feelings about a property are just as important as charm and chemistry in a relationship, but flaws may not be immediately noticeable.
Buying a home, like committing to a partner, is a long-term investment. Both require financial and emotional readiness. No one is perfect, and neither is any home. While you should aim for a place (or person) that meets most of your needs, be prepared to compromise.
Working with experts helps. Whether youāre seeking relationship advice from Patty Stanger or guidance from your favorite real estate agent or mortgage lender, professionals can make the process smoother and more successful.
Many people donāt realize that Valentineās Day and the mid-winter in general can be an advantageous time to shop for real estate. Since many couples are preoccupied with romantic plans or skiing vacations, there are often fewer buyers in the market around this time. Less competition for buyers and higher motivation of sellers could give singles an edge in negotiations. You may find better prices or flexible terms.
Consider the value of financial and personal independence. Instead of waiting to be swept off your feet by Prince Charming, singles can take control of their future by investing in property independently and finding Home Charming instead.
If youāre ready to take the plunge, here are some key steps to ensure you find the right home:
- Work with a Real Estate Agent ā Interview agents. Ask friends for recommendations. Find someone you like and trust. An experienced agent can help you navigate the market, negotiate offers, and find a home that matches your needs.
- Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage ā Knowing how much home you can afford is crucial. Talk to a lender and secure a pre-approval before you start your search.
- Narrow Down Your Location ā Choose an area that fits your wallet and your lifestyle. Drive around. Get to know the area at night and on weekends. Check out nearby public transit and parking options. Try out your commute. Locate shopping areas, dining establishments, and other services you use regularly.
- Consider Future Needs ā You may be single now but think about the future. If you plan to start a family or need a yard for a pet, factor that into your home-buying decision.
- Donāt Rush the Process ā Just like finding the right partner, finding the right home takes time. Be patient and donāt settle for something that doesnāt feel right. Itās better to take your time than to end up with buyerās remorse or, in the case of a rushed romantic decision, divorce.
So, instead of focusing on flowers that wilt and chocolates that donāt last this Valentineās Day, why not fall in love with a home? Diving into the real estate market is a smart, long-term decision that offers stability, financial security, and a place you can truly call your own, making it one of the best gifts you can give yourself and the start of an exciting new chapter in your life.
You never know who youāll meet at an open house.
Valerie M. Blake is a licensed Associate Broker in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia with RLAH @properties. Call or text her at 202-246-8602, email her via DCHomeQuest.com, or follow her on Facebook at TheRealst8ofAffairs.
Advice
Navigating these uncertain times
You have no power over others, but you have a lot of power over yourself

For Valentineās Day, I was planning to write a column about shifts we can make in our attitudes and behaviors to strengthen our love relationships and deepen our connection with our partners.
Then, over the past few weeks, as Iāve been listening to many of my clients express their concerns about the state of our country and our world, I realized that much of what is required to have a great relationship can also help us get through the difficult times we live in.
So here are some principles that I hope will help you to navigate both the challenges of being in a close relationship and the challenges of uncertain times.
These principles overlap because they are all components of an approach to living that focuses on developing and maintaining agency over your life, and working to strengthen your resilience. The more solid you are, the better you can get through the hard stuff.
Strive to behave with integrity, in a way that you respect. You are likely to feel a lot better about yourself if you do what you believe is right, rather than betraying your values out of fear or to please others. The playwright Lillian Hellman, pressed to appear before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1952 and āname names,ā said it well: āI cannot and will not cut my conscience to suit this yearās fashions.ā (Of course, only you can decide how to balance possible consequences with the importance of honoring your principles.)
Stand up for what you believe in. Being quiet out of fear or concern for what others will think leaves us feeling like helpless victims. And you cannot have an intimate relationship when you donāt let your partner know important parts of who you are.
Strive to be non-reactive. Do your best to not let others (or circumstances) press your buttons so that you lash out, rather than responding thoughtfully and with deliberation, based on your values.
Strive to always soothe your anxiety. The philosopher Viktor Frankl wrote: āBetween stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.ā When someone or something is starting to make us crazy, the best first move we can make is to quiet ourselves. Doing so allows us to think how to best respond.
Thereās a great saying from Twelve Step programs: āIf you want to have self-esteem, behave in esteemable ways.ā You are more likely to do so when you first calm yourself, rather than exploding with anxiety or rage.
Strive to tolerate discomfort: Sometimes we canāt do much about what is making us uncomfortable or causing us distress. Our partner may not change in ways we would like; our job situation may be rough; we may face hostility in the outside world. Identifying how we can deal with challenges and difficult circumstances in a way that helps us become stronger and more resilient can often help us to weather them a bit more easily.
Strive to tolerate uncertainty: There really are no guarantees about anything important in life. Thatās the way it goes. We canāt know how things will turn out āneither our relationships nor our lives nor the fate of humanity. So if we are to construct a meaningful life, we have no choice other than to keep putting one foot in front of the other, doing our best to respond thoughtfully and to have an impact when and where we can, without knowing the outcome.
Strive to stay anchored in reality, not lost in feelings. When we let our feelings run the show, itās easy to get spun up and reactive. While our feelings are a source of information, they are not reality. All sorts of thingsāour pasts, the distortions of social media, what people around us are doing and sayingācan contribute to how we feel about a situation.
Yes, itās always a good idea to be aware of our feelings. But before acting on them, calm yourself, get some clarity about why you may be feeling what youāre feeling, and think about how reality lines up (or doesnāt line up) with what youāre feeling. In other words, aim to keep the big picture in mind.
Remember that you cannot change others, but you may at times be able to influence them. For example, when I first became vegetarian, I wanted to push my friends to adopt a vegetarian diet by āenlighteningā them about the misery of factory farms and the environmental cost of raising animals for food. I soon realized that lectures and judgment are not a great way to change minds. Serving delicious vegetarian food for a dinner is more helpful. So think about how you can reach out to someone or to others with different views, in a way that they are more likely to hear you.
Obviously, there are limits to this approach. There may be times when you arenāt going to be heard, no matter how you say what you have to say. The point at which we shift from reaching out to someone to taking a ādonāt tread on meā stance can be tricky to discern, and the decision to make that shift should be taken thoughtfully and with appreciation of possible consequences.
Keep your focus mainly on what you can do about a situation. Focus less on what the other person is doing wrong, or not doing. While you have little or no power over others, you have a lot of power over yourself. Thinking about what you can do to effect at least some of the change you would like, in your relationship or your community or our world, is an antidote to feeling powerless.
Michael Radkowsky, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who works with couples and individuals in D.C. He can be found online atĀ michaelradkowsky.com. All identifying information has been changed for reasons of confidentiality. Have a question? Send it toĀ [email protected].)

As Valentine’s Day approaches, our thoughts often turn to love. While we may think of candlelit dinners or romantic gestures, love extends beyond relationshipsāitās about the spaces we inhabit and how we nurture our connection to them. Loving where you live can have a profound impact on your well-being, and for renters in Washington, D.C., transforming an apartment into a cherished home is not only possible, but also can feel essential.
Washington, D.C., offers a vibrant lifestyle, but it can also pose challenges for renters. High costs, stressful work environments, limited space, and the very nature of urban living might make it harder to settle in. However, with some thoughtful adjustments, you can turn your rental into a space you love. Letās explore how to create a home thatās a sanctuary, not just a stopover.
Personalize Your Space
One of the first steps to loving where you live is making it feel uniquely yours. Although renting may come with restrictions, there are plenty of ways to customize your apartment:
- Add Color: Use removable wallpaper or peel-and-stick decals to introduce vibrant or calming hues. Area rugs are another excellent way to bring warmth and character to any room.
- Display Your Story: Showcase meaningful art, family photos, or souvenirs from your travels. Gallery walls can make even a small space feel personal.
- Lighting Matters: Replace harsh overhead lighting with floor or table lamps to create a cozy ambiance. Use LED bulbs to save energy and customize brightness levels.
Embrace Multifunctional Furniture
City living can impose limited square footage and multifunctional furniture is your best friend. Look for pieces that serve dual purposes:
- A storage ottoman can double as seating.
- Fold-out tables save space while offering dining or work surfaces when you need them.
- A quality sofa bed is perfect for accommodating guestsĀ
Incorporate Plants and Greenery
Bringing nature indoors can instantly uplift your mood and enhance your living space:
- Low-Maintenance Options: Snake plants, pothos, and succulents thrive with minimal care.
- Vertical Gardens: If floor space is limited, consider wall-mounted planters.
- Window Sills: Herbs like basil or mint not only look and smell good, they are useful for cooking.
Create Comfortable Zones
Think about how you use your apartment and design dedicated areas:
- Work Corner: With remote work becoming increasingly common, invest in a comfortable chair, desk, and good lighting.
- Relaxation Spot: A corner with a plush chair, blanket, and books can be your go-to for unwinding.
- Entertaining Area: Even small spaces can shine with the right setup for hosting, such as a stylish bar cart or foldable chairs.
Maintain and Refresh Regularly
A clutter-free and clean apartment naturally feels more inviting:
- De-clutter quarterly, donating or discarding items you no longer use.
- Use storage systems to stash things away you do not need regularlyĀ
- Add seasonal touches like new cushions or throws to keep your space feeling fresh.
- Invest in quality cleaning tools to make upkeep easier.
Discovering the Loveable Side of D.C.
Beyond your apartment, Washington, D.C., is a city rich in experiences that make life here unique. Embracing the D.C. lifestyle can deepen your connection to where you live. Here are a few affordable and distinctly D.C. activities to enjoy this Valentineās Day month:
Loving Life in D.C.
1. Explore Hidden Gems:
- The United States Botanical Garden: Even though it is the middle of winter, the Conservatory on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol is a wonderful place to get out of the cold.Ā And a bonus – it is the time of year when orchids are in bloom. Enjoy a touch of a tropical environment right in downtown DC.
- Kennedy Centerās Millennium Stage: Enjoy free performances showcasing local and international talent. Every day, usually at 6 p.m., you can see artists from around the world in the central hall at the Kennedy Center. And all you have to do is get there in time! Check out the entire program here:Ā https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stageĀ
2. Taste D.C.’s Diverse Cuisine:
- Sample global flavors at Union Market. https://unionmarketdc.comĀ
- Grab a half-smoke from Benās Chili Bowl, a true local original, on U Street, H Street, and other locations citywide.
3. Embrace the Outdoors:
- Walk or bike the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River; the Capitol Crescent Trail on the west side, and the newer trail, the Metropolitan Branch Trail that runs from Union Station to Silver Spring.
- Visit Malcolm X Park (also known as Meridian Hill Park) for its cascading fountains, lively drum circles, snow ball fights, and more! Ā
4. Dive Into History:
- Tour the lesser-known exhibits at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, the National Museums of Asian or African Art, and the incredible Renwick Gallery of American Art opposite the White House.
- Explore the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site for a deeper understanding of D.C.’s role in history.Ā https://www.nps.gov/frdo/index.htmĀ
5. Enjoy Affordable Culture:
- Attend pay-what-you-can nights at local theaters like Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, or Theatre J located in the Jewish Community Center at 16th Street and Q Streets, NW.
- Take advantage of free museum access year-round, from the National Gallery of Art to the Hirshhorn Museum.
Building a Life You Love
Loving where you live isnāt just about the walls that surround youāitās about the life you create within them. By personalizing your apartment and immersing yourself in the unique experiences D.C. offers, youāll better foster a personal sense of belonging and joy. This Valentineās Day, remember to nurture not only your relationships, but also your relationship with your home and your city. After all, love begins at home.
Scott Bloom is owner and senior property manager of Columbia Property Management. For more information and resources, go to ColumbiaPM.com
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