Are we the only family on DCUM that doesn't belong to a pool?

[Anonymous]

And doesn't want to? I hate swimming and the idea of hanging around a pool all day with a million other people sounds like torture to me. A quiet, tree-lined Caribbean beach, yes, but a crowded, concrete pool, hell no. I guess we'll probably join one at some point so the kids can learn to swim but I'm dreading that day. Am I the only one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And doesn't want to? I hate swimming and the idea of hanging around a pool all day with a million other people sounds like torture to me. A quiet, tree-lined Caribbean beach, yes, but a crowded, concrete pool, hell no. I guess we'll probably join one at some point so the kids can learn to swim but I'm dreading that day. Am I the only one?

No. I belong to a pool. It's in my backyard.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

No pool membership. No backyard pool. If kids want to swim, we do a drop-in at the Y or one of Monty County's community centers that has a pool. We do not feel deprived.

[Anonymous]

No, but we are on a wait list with fingers crossed for next year.

[Anonymous]

We don't because my kids are gone for 2/3 of the summer.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't know where you are located but if you are in DC, there are wonderful aquatic centers in all the wards and outdoor pools throughout. All the aquatic centers are indoors. I believe the Wilson Aquatic center on Nebraska Ave. is the newest and all are free to District residents and a nominal fee to non-residents.

[Anonymous]

No, we have a pool in our condo but never go.

[Anonymous]

No, we don't belong. We just use the Wilson Aquatic Center and sometimes Volta or Francis pools. All free and we don't have to socialize.

[Anonymous]

To each her own, I suppose, but we love our pool membership. It's big enough swim laps, and the grounds are big enough that you aren't on top of everyone else (other than at peak times). My kid always finds (or makes) a friend to play with, and we love going and grilling dinner (or just ordering from a food truck) and listening to the band (about twice a month) or just relaxing.

Of course, it helps that it's a really laid-back group.

[Anonymous]

My parents did not join a pool club when I was a teenager and I resent them for it to this day. It wasn't a money issue, they just don't enjoy the pool much like you and tennis/golf were no longer if interest totem by then. It was the only place I wanted to be in the summer when I was home so I had to sneak in with friends or get their parents to sign me in. It really stunk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents did not join a pool club when I was a teenager and I resent them for it to this day. It wasn't a money issue, they just don't enjoy the pool much like you and tennis/golf were no longer if interest totem by then. It was the only place I wanted to be in the summer when I was home so I had to sneak in with friends or get their parents to sign me in. It really stunk.

You poor thing. How traumatizing.

[Anonymous]

My parents did not join a pool club when I was a teenager and I resent them for it to this day.

Jesus, grow up.

[Anonymous]

OP, what do you do with your kids all summer? Granted this year has been unusually temperate, but most of the time in July and August in this area it is way too hot and gross to be outside unless you are in/near water. For those of us who don't have vacation homes or backyard pools, but don't want to spend all summer indoors, the pool is perfect. (Bonus points if neighborhood friends belong to the same pool-- so much easier than scheduling play dates!)

I'm not being snarky, I am genuinely looking for suggestions on what people do with their kids. (The pool does get old sometimes.)

[Anonymous]

Your kids matter too, and having a pool membership where they can have fun with their friends is great summer fun. It's not all about YOU!