Summertime, and the livins easy … or at least it should be. Now that summer is officially here, its time to get out and enjoy all that Alexandria and Northern Virginia have to offer.

From miniature golf courses and trail rides to waterparks and rock climbing, theres plenty to do right in your own backyard.

If you want information on golf, tennis, swimming, boating and fishing in your neck of the woods, Northern Virgina Regional Park Authority is your best bet. With 21 parks spanning more than 10,000 acres of woodlands, streams and rolling Virginia countryside, theres something for everyone at the regional parks.
There are two NVRPA parks in Alexandria. On Eisenhower Avenue, Cameron Run Regional Park features Great Waves Water Park, deluxe miniature golf courses and a nine-station batting cage. In Old Town, Carlyle House Historic Park features an important historical stone home that acted as the headquarters for British General Braddock in 1755. To learn about visiting a regional park near you, visit www.nvrpa.org.

Another great resource of summertime fun is Fairfax County Park Authority. It boasts 400 parks on 23,717 acres of land including nine RECenters with swimming pools, eight golf courses, multiple miniature golf courses, and several lakes for boating and fishing.

The Park Authority also offers a variety of summer classes, camps and programs in subjects ranging from martial arts to gardening for children and adults. Details are listed in Parktakes, the Park Authoritys quarterly leisure services guide, or online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

Indoor and outdoor thrills with rock climbing
Even if your child isnt a daredevil, he or she may still enjoy Summer Rock Climbing Camp at Sportrock Climbing Centers.

The indoor climbing gym, with locations in Sterling and Alexandria, offers a five-day curriculum to introduce children ages 9-14 to the sport of rock climbing, both indoors and out.

The idea isnt to make kids all-star rock climbers, but rather to help them find ways to solve problems, work with others, learn about themselves, and have fun in the outdoors.

The camp is centered at Sportrocks indoor facilities where four of the five days are spent. The controlled climate and terrain enhances the learning atmosphere and ensures each child receives all the attention and instruction they require.
By the end of each session, campers will have basic climbing and safety skills, and be knowledgeable about different types of rock and its geology.

Instructor to student ratios are 1:6 indoors and 1:4 outdoors, with one lead instructor and two assisting instructors. There are 12 children per session.