Summer 2027 in Alexandria: city camps (registration opened in February last year), three outdoor pools from Memorial Day weekend and the free Potomac Yard fountain.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the city’s aquatics pages, the recreation department’s program guides and Summer of Smiles 2026 camp guide (PDF), the Potomac Yard Park page and Alexandria City Public Schools’ 2026-27 calendar. 2027 dates and fees are added as the city posts them.

Alexandria City Public Schools let out for the summer on Thursday, June 17, 2027. The city’s recreation department runs dozens of day camps from June into August, three outdoor pools open on Memorial Day weekend, and the free fountain at Potomac Yard Park runs every day all summer. The 2027 camp guide and pool schedule are not out yet; this page shows the 2026 versions so you know when to book.

Who to call

  • Camp and pool registration: 703-746-5414 (TTY 703-838-4902)
  • Register online: the city’s WebTrac system
  • City services: Alex311, 311 or 703-746-4311

City summer camps

The 2026 guide, “Summer of Smiles,” listed camps in weekly sessions from June 1 to Aug. 14, for preschoolers through teens. Registration opened Feb. 18 for residents and Feb. 20 for nonresidents. Camps are grouped by type:

  • Classic: Alex Fun Day Camp (ages 6-12), Alex Fun Sports Camp (7-12) and a counselor-in-training program (13-15), with before and after care at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St.
  • Sports: soccer, basketball, flag football, lacrosse, tennis, pickleball, gymnastics, track, skateboarding, baseball, swim and water polo camps, many run by outside providers.
  • Cooking, arts and music: Tiny Chefs, Abrakadoodle, Young Rembrandts, musical theater and dance.
  • Academic and technology: LEGO engineering, chess, coding and science camps, plus Little Scholars for ages 3-5.
  • Nature and excursions: Tadpole Camp, Nature Adventures and Wetland Explorers at the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Ave.
  • Camp Adventure: for ages 3-5 (Teenie Weenie) and 5-12, with therapeutic recreation for ages 6-21.

Summer Power-On and Power-Up, the city’s out-of-school-time program for city residents only (ages 6-11 and 11-14), ran 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, June 15 to Aug. 7, 2026, at schools and recreation centers. The resident fee was $459 for the summer, $225 for families with free or reduced-price school lunch, and free for families receiving SNAP or TANF.

Camps run at recreation centers across the city, including Charles Barrett, Charles Houston, Leonard “Chick” Armstrong, Chinquapin, Mount Vernon, Nannie J. Lee, Patrick Henry and William Ramsay.

Outdoor pools

Daily admission in 2026: children 4 and under free with a paying adult; ages 5-17, $3; adults 18-59, $4; seniors 60 and older, $3; nonresidents, $6. Season passes went on sale May 1. The city warns of waits of up to 30 minutes at busy times, and groups should reserve ahead.

Pool Address and phone 2026 season
Memorial Pool 901 Wythe St., 703-746-5451 Weekends from May 23; Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. from mid-June; closed Mondays except Memorial Day
Old Town Pool 1609 Cameron St., 703-746-6999 Weekends noon-7:45 p.m. from May 23; weekdays (not Wednesdays) noon-7:45 p.m. June 15-Aug. 14; open through Sept. 11
Warwick Pool 3301 Landover St., 703-721-3422 Weekends 11 a.m.-5:45 p.m. May 23-Sept. 6; weekdays (not Tuesdays) 11 a.m.-6:45 p.m. June 15-Aug. 14

Before mid-June, while school is in session, the weekday hours are late afternoon only. Times include swim lessons and lap swim and can change.

Indoor pools are open year-round at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility, 3210 King St. (703-746-5441), and Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility, 3795 W. Braddock Road (703-746-5479).

Splash pad: Potomac Yard Park fountain

The interactive fountain at Potomac Yard Park, 2501 Potomac Ave., sits between two playgrounds and has 36 water jets. It is free.

  • 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
  • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from after Labor Day until about mid-October
  • No lifeguard: adults must supervise children 12 and under. No pets, bikes, food or glass in the fountain area.

Swim lessons and swim camps

The Alexandria Swim Academy, part of the Red Cross Learn to Swim program, teaches ages 6 months to adult all year. Summer swim camps include Preschool Swim Camp (ages 4-6), Alex Swim Camp (6-11) and swim team prep, clinic and water polo camps (8-14).

What this means for you

  • Put mid-February 2027 in the calendar for camp registration; residents get first pick.
  • Pools open the Saturday before Memorial Day; full weekday hours start after school ends.
  • On hot days, the Potomac Yard fountain is free and open into the evening.

Related guides: Memorial Day, kids’ activities and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

When does registration open for Alexandria city summer camps?

For summer 2026 it opened Feb. 18 for residents and Feb. 20 for nonresidents. The city publishes the 2027 dates in its summer camp guide; expect a similar February window.

When do Alexandria’s outdoor pools open?

On Memorial Day weekend. In 2026 Memorial, Old Town and Warwick pools opened Saturday, May 23, with full summer hours from mid-June after school let out.

How much is it to swim at an Alexandria city pool?

In 2026 daily admission was $3 for ages 5-17, $4 for adults 18-59, $3 for seniors 60 and older and $6 for nonresidents; children 4 and under swim free with a paying adult. Season passes go on sale May 1.

Is there a splash pad in Alexandria?

Yes. The interactive fountain at Potomac Yard Park, 2501 Potomac Ave., is free and runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, then 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until about mid-October.