Arcola Community Center
Address: 24244 Gum Spring Road, Sterling
Phone: 703-327-3111; 703-327-6172
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Rates: vary by program
The Arcola Community Center provides Sterling community members with numerous educational and physical activities. The center holds licensed preschool classes and provides full child-care services. These programs provide young ones the opportunity to learn basic Spanish, play sports, sing and dance and do many different arts and crafts. In the before- and after-school programs older, school-aged children play games and sports, as well as participate in many contests, such as a pumpkin carving contest and a basketball tournament. Also available through the center are day camps and a Senior Cafe. The Arcola Community Center is the home to Loudoun County's only indoor rock wall that is available for climbers of all skill levels and is furnished with an air-conditioned gym. Special, seasonal events include craft fairs, a Haunted House, lunch with Santa and Santa house calls and an Easter egg hunt.
Douglass Community Center
Address: 407 E. Market St., Leesburg
Phone: 703-771-5913
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m., close at 9 p.m. in summer; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Rates: vary by program
Leesburg's Douglass Community Center presents a variety of educational possibilities for young children including numerous preschool and child-care programs. The preschool programs allow young children to participate in dance, art, sports, music and even learn basic math. The center sponsors a summer camp for children ages 3 1/2-5 called "My First Summer Camp," that features themed weeks to extend the child's learning, and a Trip Camp for children in grades first-fifth and middle school, which gives them the opportunity to play laser tag and other numerous sports, as well as learn different dance moves. While the children are at school or day care, parents can enjoy art classes and dance classes. All education programs at Douglass Community Center are licensed by the state of Virginia. The center also holds many contests throughout the year including a pumpkin carving contest and art contests.
Sterling Annex Community Center
Address: 1115 W. Church Road, Sterling
Phone: 703-430-6673
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Rates: vary per program
At the Sterling Annex there is a licensed preschool program for children ages 2 1/2 to 4. Other programs, for a wide variety of interests and ages, are available, including a Middle Eastern dance class for adults, yoga for women, knitting classes, a variety of scrap booking classes, basket-weaving classes and French and sign language classes. Also, new for the fall, the Annex will be offering English as a Second Language, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 12-1:30 p.m. The center's monthly flea market and book swap are open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The Annex has available meeting rooms and party rooms to rent for hosting special events. The center does not allow alcohol or tobacco.
Sterling Community Center
Address: 120 Enterprise St., Sterling
Phone: 703-430-9480
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Rates: vary per program
Since its opening in 1977, the Sterling Community Center has provided recreational and educational services for people of all ages. Activities range from preschool and elementary-age classes to a teen club and continuing education classes for adults. The children's program includes activities such as arts and crafts, sports and other special events, while the teen club offers junior high- and high school-aged students tips on employment and focuses on the importance of education. The facility is equipped with an air-conditioned gymnasium, game rooms and conference and physical fitness rooms. Located on the center's grounds is a small park with picnic tables, grills, a playground for children and a pavilion for summer concerts and other entertainment. Sterling Community Center has several rooms available to rent for numerous purposes. Also, be sure to check out the center's annual event, the Sterlingfest.