Tag Archives: fletcher’s boathouse

It’s Time to Get Your Family Outdoors!

Technology is great, but we could all really work on getting our kids outdoors more. This summer, the National Park Service invites all 4th graders and families of 4th graders to join us to learn more about America’s National Parks. From now until August 31, 4th graders or 10-year-olds have the chance to serve as ambassadors for the National Park Service. It’s a great way to spark your kids’ interest in nature as well as promote a love of learning! America is lucky to have such a beautiful National Park System that we can use to learn about wildlife, nature, and the past. Protecting these National Parks is the key to our planet’s survival.

How This Program Works

10-year-olds and 4th graders can visit Every Kid in a Park and play a fun online game to earn a voucher for a free 4th Grade Annual Pass. When you and your 4th grader visit a National Park, you can use this voucher to earn free admission; however, your 4th grader must be present for this voucher to take effect.

Each voucher comes with a unique serial number that will be recorded by the park staff. You can exchange this voucher for the 4th Grade Annual Pass, which we recommend you take and place on your dashboard when parked on federal lands. Although this pass is not necessary at all National Parks, some do require it.

Time to Get Planning!

Now that you know what you need to do to get your 4th grader their free 4th Grade Annual Pass, it’s time to start planning your trip to a National Park. To find a park near you, you can visit Find Your Park to learn more about parks in your area.

Come Prepared

As always, safety is the most important thing to remember wherever you go. Be sure to pack the essentials when you visit a National Park. And remember, cell service is not always available at certain National Parks, so check your phone calls, texts, and emails before visiting a park. Here are just some of the most important essentials that we recommend you bring when visiting a National Park:

  • Water
  • Healthy snacks
  • A first-aid kit
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • A hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Gloves (if it’s cold)
  • Bug spray
  • A map
  • Emergency numbers

Discounts at Participating Locations

When you and your 4th grader visit a participating National Park Service location, you are eligible for a discount when your 4th grader uses their Every Kid in a Park pass. Below are the current discounts these locations offer.

East Potomac Tennis Center and Rock Creek Tennis Center
For 4th graders looking to use their Every Kid in a Park pass on tennis lessons, East Potomac Tennis Center and Rock Creek Park Tennis Center are providing 10% discounts on tennis programs or starter kits if your student is enrolled in summer camp.

 Great Falls Park
4th graders can trade in their Every Kid in a Park pass for a free 4th Grade Annual Pass at Great Falls Park in Virginia.

North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin
The Lodge at Stehekin is offering free tour rides for kids 12 and under when you visit Rainbow Falls.

Mount Rainier National Park
Kids who bring their Every Kid in a Park pass at Mount Rainier National Park will receive one complimentary meal when accompanied by a parent.

Thompson Boat Center and The Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove
Thompson Boat Center and The Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove are offering a 10% discount on bike, canoe, and kayak rentals for 4th graders and their families when 4th graders show their Every Kid in a Park passes.

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats
When 4th graders show their Every Kid in a Park passes at Tidal Basin Paddle Boats, they will receive a 10% discount on paddle boat rentals for them and their families.

Washington Sailing Marina
Washington Sailing Marina is offering a 10% discount on bike rentals for 4th graders and their families when they show their Every Kid in a Park passes.

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Guest Services to Operate Three Potomac River Boathouses

The National Park Service (NPS) will enhance and expand unique national park experiences along the Potomac River by offering new and exciting water based activities. Services will also become more accessible with new equipment that can be rented or dropped off at three different locations.

NCR Guest Services, LLC will provide services on the Georgetown Waterfront under a 10-year contract, National Capital Regional Director Bob Vogel announced today. The concessioner will provide non-motorized boat storage, rentals, instruction, bike rentals, and additional services at The Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove, Key Bridge Boathouse and Thompson Boat Center. In addition, NCR Guest Services, LLC, will become Clean Marina certified to further protect water quality.

What to look forward to:

  • You can pick up and drop off rental equipment at any of the three locations, expanding the variety of recreational experiences on and along the river.
  • Learn how to kayak, canoe, stand-up paddle board, and row with the new instructional programs.
  • Rent new and updated equipment at all three locations.
  • You can still store and rent non-motorized vessels at The Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove, Key Bridge Boathouse, and Thompson Boat Center.
  • New programs and equipment for people with disabilities.
  • New youth canoe and kayak development programs and junior fishing programs.
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi access.
  • Previously, these three boathouses were managed under separate contracts. This new combined concession contract for all three locations provides connected services for visitors and ensures more efficient operations.

For nearly a century, NCR Guest Services, LLC’s parent company, Guest Services, Inc., has earned the reputation as a premier hospitality management company and national and state park concessioner that has taken great care and pride in delivering best-in-class food, lodging, retail and recreation services. The Fairfax, Virginia-based company and its subsidiaries employ over 3,500 staff at more than 250 facilities, which welcome approximately 30 million guests annually across the United States. Guest Services, Inc. is proud to welcome visitors at Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park and Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area in Washington, several parks in the Washington, D.C. Metro area, and state parks like Bear Mountain in New York and Missouri’s newest state park in the Ozarks – the much anticipated Echo Bluff State Park.

The National Park Service accepted bid proposals Aug. 25 through Nov. 13, 2015. A panel of NPS technical experts found NCR Guest Services, LLC to be the most qualified. NCR Guest Services, LLC was selected under the provisions of the 1998 Concessions Management Improvement Act. Guidelines used to evaluate proposals can be found online at nps.gov/commercialservices.

Learn how to join us on the water this season by visiting boatingindc.com.

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