If you’re looking for the perfect family-friendly (or kid-friendly) sporting activity, look no further than squash. Squash on Fire, as the name implies, is a squash gym in the West End neighborhood that’s grown in popularity over time. Specialist sports in more modern environments have been on the rise lately, and it’s easy to see why. They bring the hardcore elements from a sport into the sleeker setting of a private club, so the physically-demanding aspects of a sport remain while being cultivated in a nicer space than, say, a larger gym chain’s side rec room.
Squash on Fire offers junior day camps for younger players, like Ella and Logan, during the summer months. There are just two weeks left until school starts and vacay ends, so I wanted to send them somewhere recreational that they’d enjoy and learn a fun new activity from. The gym’s Junior Day Camps run from 10am-3pm daily, and there’s no limit to how long your junior camper (8-14 years old) can sign up; they’re able to come in any number of different days, or continuously for the whole week! Plus, all camp sessions include lunch. Campers are also given sessions focusing on technique, fitness and shot selection so their squash game can be at a higher level-even if they’ve never played before.
When Squash on Fire was created by Anthony Lanier back in the day, there was certainly a lot of confidence in how major the sport would become. Anthony was the urban developer who saw the rise of specialist sports and wanted their setting to be more family-friendly and updated. Once it was introduced to the Georgetown/West End neighborhood, Squash on Fire was born and has since become a go-to destination for fun and uncomplicated sports-another reason why it’s great for your kids, or anyone being introduced to a new sport. It doesn’t require a ton of complicated rules to learn, there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy the sport, and it’s just pure fun.
Trying something new always broadens your horizons and expands your worldview, which is also why I was so excited for Ella and Logan to go to camp at Squash on Fire-and they were, too! Starting a camp where you can learn a fun new skill and gradually improve upon it is a great way for them to understand their learning processes, as well as break out of their comfort zones and try a new activity (after all, who needs video games when you can take your squash game to the next level?).
Aside from Junior Camps, Squash on Fire offers clinics, private lessons and workshops for players of all ages year-round. So, whether you want your own squash skills or your kids’ to improve, there’s a class or program for any level of skill or commitment. If you’re really looking to foster your kid’s passion for squash, the Junior Academy at Squash on Fire is a great start. The Academy sponsors a weekly lesson and team practice each Saturday, and it’s an awesome opportunity for them to build their competitive skills while making friends that enjoy the sport too!
Speaking of making friends that love squash, Ella and Logan especially loved being able to improve their squash skill-sets with Ronny Vlassaks. Ronny is the Director of Squash at Squash on Fire, and was super hands-on to ensure both of my kids had a fun time learning to play squash while improving their craft towards it as well. He’s an international squash coach and works with some of the highest-ranked players in the world, so I knew my kids were being taught by one of the best experts in the field. Drop-in clinics are part of the weekly roster of events at Squash on Fire too, so even if you just need a quick lesson or refresher on anything squash-related it’s there for you.
The entire experience of Squash on Fire truly impressed me. As a mom to kids growing up in a quickly-growing digital world, I’m always looking for fun ways for Ella and Logan to enjoy what’s “out there” instead of just what’s on an iPad screen. A sport like squash is easy and fun, but it branches outside their comfort zones and lets them try something new! Plus, the inclusive nature of any skill set being welcome-as in, your kids don’t have to be squash experts to play the sport here-makes the entire concept of learning a new sport less intimidating and more exciting. They were so enthusiastic after the first couple days of camp that I know Squash on Fire will be one of our go-to recreational spots for awhile.
{Thank-you to Squash on Fire for partnering on this post! All opinions are my own.}
All photography by Capitol Hill Photo.
Leave a Reply