First we went to a start of season party at the Parkland Pool, on Arcola in Wheaton. We found out about the party via a flyer at the nearby Little Gym of Silver Spring, where the kids enjoyed some classes during the spring. Although we enjoyed the party and liked the pool, Parkland is more of a club, and more of a $ commitment, than we are looking for.

Second, in terms of pools visited, was the Wheaton/Glenmont Pool. It fits our family well, as do many things run by Montgomery County.

As well as a toddler pool and a big pool, Wheaton has a kid pool, which ranges gradually in depth from almost nothing to about a meter. There’s also an adventure pool, for which none of us are quite ready. We decided that $275 for a family season pass would provide savings, as well as fun and coolness.

The third pool we visited is at the YMCA in Silver Spring. I’m starting this post as Maddie (6) is having a lesson in the indoor pool. We went for lessons there largely because of the timing: four mornings a week for the two weeks between Maddie’s school and summer school.

Today brought an incentive to make further use of the Y, in the form of a coupon. Today’s Groupon is $20 for a One-Month Family Membership, Two Personal-Training Sessions or Two Private Tennis Lessons, and $25 Toward Programs at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington (which includes the Silver Spring location).