New Montgomery Recreation director outlines youth, accessibility goals; camp registration opens Jan. 20

Marcela Rodríguez Villagrán introduced Geiva Albornoz as Montgomery Recreation’s new director and Mónica Hammer as the department’s communications manager. Albornoz said his priorities include expanding youth services, addressing youth mental health through programs, strengthening partnerships and taking services into neighborhoods.

"Nuestra puerta está abierta, siempre…no nos importe de dónde vinieron," Albornoz said, emphasizing outreach and accessibility. He highlighted a new combined aquatics and community center in downtown Silver Spring as a flagship facility offering family programs and swim opportunities.

Mónica Hammer described summer camp registration: county residents may register beginning Jan. 20 at 6:30 a.m.; nonresidents may register starting Jan. 22. Registration is handled through ActiveMontgomery (the county’s registration portal); department offices and aquatic centers will open early to provide in-person registration help. Swim-class registration is scheduled to open Feb. 18.

On affordability, Hammer said the RecAssist program is accepting applications for 2026; residents who receive public benefits such as Medicaid, Care for Kids or free/reduced school lunch may qualify. The program described a scholarship amount (stated on-air as $400 per eligible family member) and said it can cover a substantial portion of program costs (the broadcast stated coverage could be up to 80% of the fee).

María Villegas, communications assistant for Montgomery Parks, added that the parks system will offer more than 100 summer camp options for ages 3 and up, new adult camp offerings, specialty camps and a scholarship fund described on-air as the "Mary Wells Harley Dream Camp Scholarship Fund." She directed listeners to Montgomery Parks’ website and the department customer-service line for details and application instructions.

What’s next: Residents should create or confirm an ActiveMontgomery account before registration dates and contact Montgomery Recreation or Montgomery Parks for scholarship application guidance.