Introducing the 2024 MACo Celebratory Blog Series: Showcasing the Remarkable Achievements of Maryland’s Award-Winning Counties!
Join us on this exciting journey as we embark on a special blog series dedicated to honoring the exceptional accomplishments of the counties that triumphed in the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2024 Achievement Awards. Each week, we will shine a well-deserved spotlight on a few remarkable counties, taking a deeper dive into their accomplishments, innovative initiatives, and the profound impact they have had on their communities.
Parks and Recreation
Montgomery County received thirteen awards in this category.
55+ BBQ Bonanza
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Montgomery County Recreation was looking for a way to celebrate its seniors and reengage
them into programming. Studies show that social engagement amongst older populations helps stimulate the brain by keeping them sharp and cognitively aware. It was important to celebrate all the success and fellowship developed by the senior community over the years. Hosting a culminating 55+ BBQ Bonanza event allowed Recreation to bring more than 800 seniors together to participate in games and activities including Bingo, crafting floral arrangements, mini golf, corn hole, volleyball, hiking, line dancing, softball, a petting zoo, DJ and more. Throughout the year Montgomery County Recreation’s senior centers intentionally collaborate on programs and plan mini trips for the different centers and populations to get together and mingle. Doing this has allowed Montgomery County seniors to develop friendships across the County, making them feel welcome to participate in any of the senior center programs at any location. At the now yearly BBQ Bonanza, seniors can reconnect with their favorite outdoor activities while making new friends, meeting up with old ones and socializing together.
After-School Professional Development Program
In 2023, Montgomery County Recreation sought to create an event for seasonal and part-time employees that would be similar to what career employees in the department would participate in at the state or national level. Montgomery County Recreation’s Youth Development team felt that a professional development program would be beneficial for this contingent of staff to allow them to learn more in-depth about the wide reaches of recreation, and to allow them to go further as professionals within the department.
Buckets and Beats
Buckets and Beats was a block party held in downtown Silver Spring for Montgomery County, MD youth in middle and high
Centenarian Celebration
In 2023 Montgomery County Recreation began plans to honor and celebrate residents in the County who had already or were
turning 100 and older. As residents reach the centenarian milestone, the County wanted to acknowledge all the contributions they have made over the past 100 years to their community, in this case in Montgomery County, MD. Recreation’s Senior Programs Team felt it was important to take the time to provide a high-quality celebration for these well-deserving residents and their family members.
NFL Flag Football with Referee Academy
Montgomery County Recreation’s Flag Football League was designed to give youth of all abilities a chance to learn and
play the sport at an affordable price. The league a non-contact version of the sport. It is setup with a recreational and coed format, with an additional division that serves as a girls’ only division. Benefits of the league for participants have included being part of a team, improving football skills and keeping youth sports fun while also accessible for Montgomery County residents and their families.
Rec N Resources
Montgomery County has found that as economic development increases and the workforce evolves, the disparities within equity zones widen. The Rec N Resource event was developed by Montgomery County Recreation at a Community Recreation Center in proximity to an area where 87 percent of the residents live in a high social vulnerability index. A need was identified, and an event was planned to connect community members to available County resources. The goal of this event was to eliminate barriers due to a lack of knowledge and access to transportation. The Rec N Resource event featured outreach tables with information from different County agencies and organizations, with the goal of providing resources and information to community members. Families who attended the event were able to receive information regarding County programs, jobs, childcare, secondary education and free County services. Games and demonstrations took place throughout the event so that parents could walk around and focus on the resources while the children participated in the activities.
Rec Your Way
Montgomery County Recreation’s Rec Your Way program provides recreation, tailor made to its audience. It allows
an individual, Parent Teacher Association or other organizations the ability to create their own ideal recreation experience with high quality and well-organized programming.
RecFit
In 2023 Montgomery County Recreation made its RecFit passes free for Montgomery County residents, launching the
campaign “Free in 2023.” The free RecFit pass provides access to fully equipped fitness rooms, open gym (drop-in) activities and game rooms at any community recreation center during regularly scheduled hours. Residents can sign up for the pass in-person at any County community recreation center during regular business hours. The pass can then be used at any of the County’s 22 recreation centers. By making this pass free, Montgomery County Recreation is providing free and equitable access to fitness and recreation facilities which helps residents improve health outcomes without costly gym memberships. The program has been extremely successful and free membership has continued in 2024.
Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation
Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR) is a program run by Montgomery County Recreation for active
adults ages 55 and older. The adults are able to sign up for new experiences which they might not otherwise get to participate in. SOAR offers one-day, high quality, tourist experiences at an affordable cost, with financial assistance available to those that qualify. These trips are designed so that everyone leaves with new experiences and new friends. All trips travel by motorcoach bus to and from the trip venue, with sign up available as individuals or groups.
Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center Teen Visioning Event
In 2023 Montgomery County Recreation was working to open a brand-new center, the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center. It was important to get community feedback with the plans for opening, including on
programming, amenities and more. That includes feedback from County youth. Middle and high school students were invited to join Montgomery County Recreation to learn about and share their input for the new center. This was an opportunity for students to ask questions, share ideas and provide feedback, all while earning Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.
Teen Camps
Montgomery County Recreation held two Teen Camps at Kingsview and A. Mario Loiederman Middle Schools that were six-
week summer programs offered by the Department, specifically designed for middle school students (ages 11-14). Running from approximately 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week, the Teen Camps provide teenagers with a safe and engaging camp experience, while also giving parents an alternative camp option for their child. From sports, arts and crafts, guest speakers, field trips and more, the Teen Camps offer not only exciting activities and memories that will last a lifetime, but also provide youth with the opportunities to build friendships, connect with caring adults and participate in activities that keep them healthy and energized during the summer months.
Teen Mental Health First Aid – VIBE Checkup Program
Montgomery County Recreation was among the first in the state of Maryland and in the Mid-Atlantic region to offer the Teen Mental Health First Aid and Vibe Checkup programs, in partnership with contractor, Global Sustainable Partnerships. The Teen Mental Health First Aid curriculum teaches young people how to identify mental health crisis events and how to best respond to help themselves and/or their peers. The Vibe Checkup program was designed to provide safe spaces to youth to allow them to check in on their feelings, receive mental health and well- being support and to connect with peers.
Winter Wellness Campaign
The Winter Wellness Campaign was developed by the Montgomery County Recreation Senior Programs Team to
promote, support and provide older adults with various fitness and wellness classes during the winter months. Participating locations across the County offered free classes, programs and activities working specifically on flexibility, stamina, balance and strengthening for the older adult population. During the cold, winter months it can be easier for people, especially older adults to stay inside and become sedentary. This has a direct negative impact on older adults and their ability to maintain independent lives. Being isolated and sedentary during these months can cause an increase in falls, which can create serious lifelong injuries that older adults may never recover from. This campaign was developed by Montgomery County Recreation to provide safe spaces for older adults to come together during those colder months in order to stay active and fit.
Together, let’s explore the remarkable stories behind these award-winning counties, and draw inspiration from their passion, creativity, and commitment to making a positive difference. View all 2024 NACo Achievement Award winners through their interactive and searchable map.
