The Kids Came Out And Played

Last night all the Playground Madness “camps” competed for the City Cup Award. Kids from all over Rockville brought their talents to Twinbrook Recreation Center. This summer, the skit competition was filled with tributes to Michael Jackson. Bouncing, dancing, slides, cartwheels, raps and shouts dominated the fun evening.

As soon as the skit competition was over and the award table was carried to the front, the crowd of kids went crazy with a giant extended roar. All those trophies!

I’m so excited because my Elwood Smith Playground won Best Skit of the Day. Here’s a video of the start of their performance Wade In The Water on saxophone, which was followed by ballet, Kung Fu and a giant cheer. These kids entertained with a variety of talent! (I have to disclose my son was one of them!)

City Staff visit the Playgrounds to determine who deserves awards in a variety of categories.

Best Banner – Montrose
Quick Start Tennis – Potomac Woods
Most Nurturing Staff – College Gardens
Most Sports & Games – King Farm
Most Challenging Situation to Overcome – Twinbrook
Most Enthusiastic – Double winners: Maryvale and King Farm
Most Organized – Lakewood
Best Staff Team – Double winners: Woodley Gardens and Montrose
Most Impressive – Elwood Smith
Quiet Storm – Lincoln Park Isreal

The large City Cup award goes to the best Playground representing all the energy and caring of a quality program. This year it was Potomac Woods. The kids were at a swim meet and couldn’t attend but I’m sure they’ll be excited. The two runners up for City Cup were Montrose and King Farm.

In addition to the competition, each playground hosted a game. The cost of the tickets benefited the Rockville Youth Recreation Fund. The Finest! also pounded their drums as part of the program.

Every summer, the City of Rockville brings our playgrounds to life with Playground Madness. For just $95 kids can play at their local parks from the end of June through the first week in August, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. When you look at the cost of camps for even one week, this program is extremely affordable. Not only does it provide much-needed quality activities for the kids, the program also trains counselors and teaches valuable leadership skills.

In the midst of all the kids carefully remembering their parts and demonstrating their favorite talent, it finally occurred to me why enjoy the skit competition. Each summer my mother would hang curtains across the garage and I would direct performances by all the kids in the neighborhood. We’d put together silly skits and invite all the parents. Come Out And Play has a much bigger audience.

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