Watching the snow pile up (and up and up…) on our deck that cold, windy Saturday in January, I wondered whether spring would ever arrive. Three weeks later, the pile of snow that remained next to the deck looked as though it would still serve its original intent – as a sledding track. (Parenting tip: When trying to encourage your teenagers to shovel snow, persuade them to build something out of it. The thought of a sledding ramp got the deck cleared in no time, and the ramp provided some outdoor fun for several weeks after the blizzard.)
But by the time you read this, the days will have inevitably lengthened, buds will have reappeared, and the birds will be migrating back from points south. Soccer and baseball and spring break are in sight. And beyond that, for the older kids, it’s proms and graduations. Just the thought of all that craziness makes me yearn for a lazy Saturday drinking hot chocolate, watching the snow fall and procrastinating about shoveling the driveway.
Spring ushers in one of our favorite times here at Washington FAMILY Magazine, because it’s when voting begins in our annual Best for Families survey. This is your opportunity to nominate and vote for your favorite family-friendly businesses, schools and organizations in the DMV. Last year we had more than 16,000 votes across 86 different categories. And that was the first year readers voted exclusively online, so we expect an even bigger turnout this year. Hillary and Donald, eat your heart out!
Click here to vote in this year’s survey. Don’t wait – voting ends May 1, and there are lots of categories in which to choose your favorites. Winners will be announced in our July issue.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something to do with the kids as the weather turns warmer, be sure to check out our new Entertainment Guide in this month’s issue. There are so many unique and fun activities in the DMV, we thought it would be a good idea to spotlight a few.
And, of course, speaking of warmer weather, it’s time to start thinking about summer camps. Our summer camp directory has been running for several months now, and it continues in March. This guide is a great way to easily peruse the wide variety of day and overnight camps available in the region.
We’re also hosting our second summer camp fair of the year on Saturday, March 5, at Kid’s Choice Sports Center in Woodbridge, VA. We were delighted to have nearly 30 camps represented at our last fair, in Potomac, MD, in January. These camp fairs are a great opportunity to learn about a large number of camps in one place – and even experience what some of them have to offer. Bring the kids; seeing first-hand what the camps are all about is likely to turn any reluctance about going to camp into excitement.
Spring fun…summer camp…longer days…more sun…
Now where did I put that snow shovel?
Bruce Potter
Chief Operating Officer
Northern Virginia Media Services
