March 2024 NIH R&W Newsletter by NIH R&W

“Fitness for You” March 2024

Virtual & In-Person Fitness Descriptions: All levels are welcome!

Friday, March 1st

Spring Strength with Shannon: Got Spring fever? Bring in the season with strength training to encourage weight loss at rest! Using light to heavy weights, learn proper form in lifting for the major muscle groups. A fitness mat will also be used.

Strength Conditioning with Ashley: Increase or maintain muscle mass for the greatest fitness benefits! Strength training can reverse bone loss and increase fat oxidation at rest! For 45-second intervals of work followed by 15-second recovery intervals, participants will perform exercises that strengthen the major and minor muscle groups. Moderate to heavy dumbbells and a mat are needed for this class.

Monday, March 4th

March Madness Tabata with Shannon: Joining this highintensity class is a slam dunk! Tabata involves 20-second bouts of hard work followed by 10-second recovery cycles to maximize health benefits in a short amount of time. Time crunched? Tabata is the choice! Shock the body into fat loss and calorie burn! Moderate to heavy weights and mat used.

Tuesday, March 5th

Total Body Barre with Charissa: Train for length and strength, to achieve a leaner and longer look! Using light hand weights and a mat, participants engage in exercises inspired by ballet conditioning that are designed to lengthen the muscles.

Yoga Strength with Shannon (In-Person only) Bldg. 53: It’s weight-training and Yoga all-in-one! Yoga Strength is a non-traditional, Hatha-based practice, designed to strengthen the muscles while increasing flexibility for ease in performing daily activities. Participants focus on transitions and poses guided by breathing and mind-body connection. Open the week with awareness and intention! A Yoga mat is suggested.

Wednesday, March 6th

Tabata Cardio with Ashley: Tap into maximal heart benefits in a short amount of time with Tabata training! Tabata fitness involves performing high-intensity exercises in 20-second bouts followed by 10-second recovery cycles in successive rounds. Get spring ready! A mat is suggested.

Thursday, March 7th

Stretch for Low Back Relief with Charissa: A class dedicated to the back, it’s a rejuvenating experience designed for all populations! Most people will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Utilizing breath control and mind-body connection, participants can expect to move thru various stretches and techniques that can aid in relieving back discomfort. Stay limber or get relief! Fitness mat suggested.

Friday, March 8th

Functional Fitness: Focus| Squat with Shannon: Learn the proper execution of the squat and aid in increasing strength of the quadriceps femoris, hamstrings, erector spinae and gluteus maximus amongst other muscles. The squat is pivotal to sitting as well as to getting out of bed. Strengthening the squat increases hip range of motion, which leads to greater ease in daily activity and helps protect against injury. Light to heavy weights and a mat used

Upright Obliques with Ashley: Take a midday break and strengthen the abdominals! The oblique muscles aid in stabilizing the pelvis and by strengthening them, back pain can be averted! Using 1 light to heavy hand weight, participants will remain upright while performing 45-second intervals of work followed by a 15-second recovery interval.

Monday, March 11th

Yoga Strong with Shannon: Take a progressive Yoga approach! Yoga Strong involves using light to heavy hand weights while performing authentic poses, with the purpose of increasing the intensity of the Yoga practice. Participants can expect to engage the major muscle groups in a Hatha-style flow. A mat is suggested. No Yoga experience needed.

Tuesday, March 12th

Core Essentials with Charissa: The core is essentially the trunk and is important to mobility, stability, and ease in daily movement. Participants will perform exercises that will aid in keeping the core strong and healthy for longevity and functionality. 2 rounds of 8 repetitions will guide the class. Light to moderate dumbbells and a mat will be used.

Yoga for Fitness Enthusiasts with Shannon (In-person only) Bldg. 53: Gear up for a total body Yoga practice! Asanas (poses) that increase stability, flexibility, and improve joint range of motion for the major and minor muscle groups will be performed. As participants engage in class, the instructor will coach participants on spatial awareness and controlled breathing. A Yoga mat is suggested.

Wednesday, March 13th

Cardio Bootcamp with Ashley: Summer is approaching, let’s get busy! Military conditioning exercises like jumping jacks, burpees and mountain climbers will guide this class! In intervals of 30 seconds of work followed by 10-second cycles of recovery, attendees will engage in high-intensity fitness training for increased health benefits! A mat will be used.

Thursday, March 14th

Towel Stretch for Length with Charissa: Grab a towel and let’s get some relief! Whether the hamstrings or the back, the quadriceps or the calf muscles, compression and shortened muscles can cause serious discomfort! A towel can aid in traction of a muscle or joint causing the joint to move back to proper positioning and the muscles to lengthen. A long towel that is the span of both arms combined is necessary for this class. A fitness mat is suggested.

Stretch & Flow w/ Charissa (In-Person only) RKL II Rm. 220-B: Invigorate the day and body with a stretching break! In a continuous gentle flow, attendees will move through stretches designed to lengthen shortened muscles and decompress joints. Increase ease of daily activities and prevent injuries by remaining flexible and limber! Mats are provided.

Friday, March 15th

Leprechaun HIIT with Shannon: Nix the beer and bar and get tuned in with your heart during this high-intensity interval class! A workout consisting of 45-second bouts of hard work followed by 15-second recovery cycles, it’s sure to increase the heart rate and strengthen the bones and cardiovascular system! Feel free to don your favorite green workout gear for this St. Patrick’s kick-off edition of interval training! Moderate to heavy weights and a mat are suggested.

Class Descriptions Cont…

Upright Tabata Tone with Ashley: It’s a strength based Tabata workout! Tabata is the fitness format that has taken the exercise world by storm! For the time-crunched individual, Tabata offers maximal health benefits in a short amount of time. Instead of an hour-long workout, the 20-second bout model of intense exercise followed by a 10-second recovery cycle, performed in successive rounds for 1/3 the amount of time, has been shown to produce greater fitness results! Grab some moderate to heavy hand weights and get Tabata strong!

Monday, March 18th

Total Body Strength & Stability with Shannon: Train the body for longevity! Tap into spatial awareness for proper alignment and postural improvement in daily activities. Many functional injuries can be avoided with consistent strength training and learning how to properly move in space. Using light to heavy weights, participants will perform various exercises designed to activate and strengthen the muscles for bone and muscle health. This class is repetition based.

Tuesday, March 19th

Ab & Glute Attack with Charissa: Tighten and tone the abdominal and gluteal muscles! The abdominal and gluteal muscles support the back and are integral in mobility and stability. Using light to heavy dumbbells, participants can expect to perform exercises in 2 rounds of 8 repetitions. Sculpt the body for health and confidence! A fitness mat will be used.

Yoga Restore with Shannon (In-person only) Bldg. 53: Take time to recover midday with this calming Yoga practice. Participants perform 5-8 Yoga poses to encourage muscle and joint relief and overall relaxation. Proper alignment and breath control will be coached to receive maximum health benefits. A personal mat is suggested though mats will be available.

Wednesday, March 20th

Cardio + Abs with Ashley: Commit to being fit! Cardio and ab training is important to heart health and maintaining mobility! For intervals of 30 seconds of work followed by 10second recovery cycles, participants will perform various exercises designed to increase the heart rate and strengthen the abdomen. It’s an energetic workout not to miss!

Thursday, March 21st

Balance and Stretch with Charissa: Balance is an indicator of physical fitness and morbidity. This class is dedicated to improving balance and increasing flexibility. With breath control as a tool for achieving mind-body connection, participants can expect to perform stretches while standing and on the floor. A fitness mat is suggested. Don’t miss it!

Indoor Cycling with Charissa (In-Person) RKL II Rm. 220-B: Improve cardiovascular health and experience fewer safety risks with indoor cycling! Participants train for various terrains while receiving coaching on proper alignment and breath control. Bikes provided in-studio.

Friday, March 22nd

Yoga for Athletes with Shannon: Sports and athletic activity require a great amount of discipline, skill, and endurance to master. Learn to execute proper posture in poses to aid in any performance activity. Basic movement foundations originate with Yoga! Focus on increasing flexibility and improving alignment during this practice! Mat suggested.

Compound Strength with Ashley: Activate multiple muscle groups at the same time for heightened intensity! Participants can expect to perform exercises in intervals of 45 seconds of work followed by 15-second recovery cycles. Moderate to heavy dumbbells will be utilized. It’s a total body workout experience! Commit to Compound Strength!

Monday, March 25th

Stretch & Recharge with Shannon: Start the week with intention! Participants will perform stretches to relieve the major and minor muscle groups for daily functionality and movement. A focus on breath control and proper alignment will guide this class. Don’t miss this rejuvenating experience!

Tuesday, March 26th

Waist + Weights with Charissa: Get waisted! A strong center is important to mobility. For this half hour class, attendees can expect to strengthen the core using the added load of weights to increase intensity. Repetitions of 8 will be performed for 2 rounds. Light to moderate weights and a mat will be utilized.

Wednesday, March 27th

Abs & Glutes + Mini bands with Ashley: Sculpt and strengthen the abdominal and gluteal muscles using loop bands! For intervals of 45 seconds of work, followed by 15second recovery intervals, participants will engage in various exercises to challenge the center. Grab light to strong loop bands and a mat and prepare to get busy!

Thursday, March 28th

Chair Stretch with Charissa: Don’t stress, just stretch! This midday class is designed for the overworked or time conscious individual- to find calm- and aids in increasing productivity. Participants will move through guided stretches while practicing breath control. A stationary chair is recommended. If you’re going to sit, get the benefit!

Core Challenge with Charissa (In-Person Only) RKL II Rm. 220-B: Are you core-ageous? Timed fitness tests will guide this class. In intervals of 30 or 60 seconds, attendees will execute exercises designed to measure core strength. The core is essentially the trunk and is important to mobility and stability. Take the core challenge! A mat will be provided.

Friday, March 29th

Nothing like HIIT! with Shannon: High-intensity-interval training is one of the greatest ways to increase cardiovascular health while also boosting metabolism and fat burn! Using light to heavy weights participants will engage in exercises that are beneficial to the strengthening the major and minor muscle groups for a total body workout! Intervals of 30 seconds of work followed by 10-secondcycles of recovery will be performed. Start the season with a “spring” in step! A mat is optional.

Tighten & Tone 360 with Ashley: No muscle group gets left behind! Get more fit with cardio, core, and strength training all in one class, while remaining upright! 45-second intervals of work followed by 15-second recovery intervals will be performed. Moderate to heavy weights will be utilized. It’s a total body workout not to miss!

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NIH Sailing Association Open House

Come to the NIHSA Open House on Wednesday, March 6th, from 6:30pm - 8pm. Explore your interest in learning to sail and discover all the opportunities for sailing with the NIHSA. Info about Basic Training classes, racing programs and other social activities the club offers will be available. For more info about the club, visit the NIHSA website. The Open House will take place at the Davis Library in Meeting Room #1 (downstairs), 6400 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD. Plenty of parking is available. Metrobus, J1 and J2, leave from Medical Center Metro station and go directly to the library.

R&W Book Fair & Gift Show

April 16th – 18th

The Book Fair and Gift Show (formerly Books Are Fun and Collective Goods) returns for April 16th – 18th in the South Lobby of Bldg. 10 from 9am – 3pm. Shop from a variety of Books (children's, cookbooks, etc), Speakers, Toys, Gadgets, and .Gifts for All Ages!

NIH Research Trade Show

April 17th – 18th

The NIH Research Trade Show will take place on Wednesday, April 17th – Thursday, April 18th from 10am – 3pm on the Bldg. 10 FAES Terrace. Visit around 40 different scientific vendors each day and learn about advancements in scientific research and technology that will assist in making breakthroughs in medical research. Food trucks will also be in Lot 10H selling lunches both days. Register today to learn more about the show and participating vendors.

R&W Corporate Sponsor Fair – May 7th Bldg. 10 South Lawn

The NIH R&W Corporate Sponsor Fair will return on May 7th. Expect to see a variety of companies including local senior living, local apartment complexes, financial education, hotels, phone services, local attractions, travel companies and more. The fair will take place from 10am – 2pm on the South Lawn of Bldg. 10. Details available in the April R&W Newsletter.

R&W Spring Bazaar – May 7th Bldg. 10 South Lobby

The R&W will be holding its annual Spring Bazaar on Tuesday, May 7th, just in time for Mother’s Day and Graduations. Stop by the Bldg. 10 South Lobby between 9am – 2pm to shop from a variety of jewelry, craft and other vendors. More details to come in the April R&W Newsletter.

Camp Fantastic BBQ Returns June 11th

The Camps Fantastic BBQ is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 11th from 11am – 2pm on the South Lawn of Bldg. 10. Come out to support a great cause, helping send children with cancer to a camp designed specifically for them. Enjoy great food, live music, a vendor fair, the NIH Community Market and more

• March 20th – Understanding Social Security and Medicare by Turning Point Financial

• March 27th – Estate Planning: Ensuring Financial Security For You and Your Loved Ones by RetFed

• April 9th – Long-Term Care Planning – What to Know, When and How to Do It by Turning Point Financial

• April 17th – Navigating Long Term Care Insurance: Your Comprehensive Guide by RetFed

• June 25th – Social Security and Medicare: Maximizing Benefits, Minimizing Pitfalls by RetFed

• August 7th – TSP Deep Dive: Navigating Contributions, Allocations and Market Trends by RetFed

• September 11th – Avoiding the Most Common TSP Mistakes by Turning Point Financial

• October 22nd – Making Your Money Last: Budgeting and Spending Strategies in Retirement by RetFed

• August 7th – TSP Deep Dive: Navigating Contributions, Allocations and Market Trends by RetFed

• December 12th – Strategic Tax Planning: Navigating Your Financial Future by RetFed

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NIH R&W Food Truck Program

Join us select days from 11am – 2pm for Food Trucks in Lot 10H, near the South entrance to Bldg. 10. Trucks will run thru November 22nd. Online pre-ordering is encouraged when applicable. Menus available on the R&W website.

Truck schedule is as follows:

March & April: Tuesday – Thursday - 2 savory trucks

May - October: Monday & Friday – 1 savory truck;

Tuesday – Thursday – 2 or 3 savory trucks and one sweet truck

November (thru 11/22): Monday - Friday - 1 savory truck

2 Bold Chefs: Featuring a variety of delicious signature Greek & Italian dishes and salads with mouthwatering French & Portuguese flavors infused into the Mediterranean taste.

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels: Fresh, hot, golden brown pretzels, pretzel dogs and lemonades.

Ben & Jerry’s: Serving ice cream and floats.

Catalyst Hot Dog: Bringing the Jersey Dog to NIH. Enjoy allbeef or vegan dogs with a variety of toppings.

Chix ‘n Stix: Specializes in crisp, fresh, deliciously fried chicken wings and tenders, to all beef quarter pound hot dogs, and specially seasoned “Flavor Fries.”

Diner on the Go: Putting a fresh spin on comfort food with freshly prepared, choicely shopped fresh meats, veggies and fruit with a wide variety of flavors

Get Ya Roll On DMV: Egg rolls with a twist

Hardy’s BBQ: Puts in the time and care to ensure that you get world class BBQ. Come hungry. You'll need plenty of room to taste all of our overflowing list of options.

Himalayan Soul Foods: Serving Himalayan food ‘momos’ (dumplings), Tibetan bread and lentil burgers.

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood: Baltimore’s historic restaurant and crab house offers great tasting seafood from their truck.

Kam & 46: Serving local Hawaii and Filipino fare. Modern take with nostalgic feels.

Koshary Corner: Vegan and gluten-free Egyptian street food

Malia’s Kitchen: Serving the best homestyle Soul Food in the DMV

Pacha Mama Juice: Fresh made-to-order fruit & veggie juices.

PhoWheels: Offers a modern interpretation of traditional Vietnamese cuisine, where comforting favorite dishes blend seamlessly with bold new flavors that will entice your palate.

Quinn’s Ice specializes in lactose-free soft serve, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, Belgian waffle sundaes and more.

Sambal Truck: Serving Indonesian street food

SnoBlast DMV: Serving handcrafted snow cones, slushies, and lemonade, alongside concessions such as cotton candy, popcorn and more.

Trini Vybez: Preservative free Trinidadian food with unadulterated methods to traditional cooking

Trippy Tacos: Specializes in fresh corn tortillas. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, nachos

The R&W Community Market takes place on Tuesdays from 10am – 2pm on the South Lobby of Bldg. 10. The market will take place weather permitting. The market will return to the South Lawn of Bldg. 10 in April. Current safety and health guidelines are to be observed. The market consists of the following vendors with more expected to be added soon:

Apple Valley will have a variety of seasonal produce including apples, onions and potatoes, apple cider, apple sauces, pecans and jams.

The Chocolatiers Palette: Delicious gourmet fudge and Belgian chocolate. Fudge is preservative, gluten, corn syrup and artificial flavor free.

Devine Wine Jelly: Is sure to add a gourmet experience to any social gathering. Each flavor of wine jelly has a unique taste with a smooth delightful aroma of wine. Taste it, Love it, Want it!

Randalia Bee Hives: Local raw and cream honey, pollen, hand crafted beeswax candles, bar soap, infused botanical liquid soap, beeswax body salves body lotions, lip balms, tints, salt scrubs and natural deodorants from the Eastern Shore.

Suka Nuts: Nothing beats the harmonious blend of sweet and salty flavors found in their handcrafted delights. Choose from a variety of nuts, breads, butters, brittles and more.

Sweetdele’s Sweet Treats: Makes those traditional desserts you can’t find anymore – the kind that’s nostalgic from the good ole days. Purchase from a selection of cakes, pound cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more.

Jewelry and Craft Vendors: A variety of jewelry and craft vendors will rotate throughout the market.

Join the R&W and Fitness ListServs

Get the latest on all things R&W related delivered to your inbox. Be the first to hear about upcoming events, R&W store specials, special ticket offers, and more. Everyone is welcome to join, and membership is not required to receive the listserv emails. Just provide your name and email and the info will begin to flow. Also join our Fitness Center listserv to get info on specials, upcoming classes, and any emergency closures

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March is National Nutrition Month

Healthy Cooking Demonstration: Keeping it Simple

• Wednesday, March 6th from 12pm - 12:50pm

• Pre-register

• Join us for a live, online Cooking Demo with Elizabeth Bilodeau, RD

• Live demonstration, cook with 5 ingredients or less, and top tips on cooking once, eating twice

National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. This year's theme is "Beyond the Table," addressing the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, from food production and distribution to navigating grocery stores and farmers markets and home food safety and storage practices. It also describes the various ways we eat including on the go, in schools and restaurants, at games and events. Check out a wide array of National Nutrition Month® resources.

Food and Mood Webinar

On Tuesday, March 12th from 12pm – 12:45pm, join Leslie Pont, NIH Wellness Program Manager, and panel members from NIMH and NIGMS as they discuss the importance of the gut-brain connection, the function of the microbiome, eating with the seasons, and how these key areas complement our overall health.

NIH Sailing Association

The NIH Sailing Association is one of the R&W activity clubs. Membership is open to NIH (and NOAA) employees, patients, contractors and their families The Club’s main activity is sailing five Flying Scots, which are owned by the club and maintained in slips south of Annapolis, MD on the South River. Meetings are held each month and are open to all club members. Yearly Membership dues vary according to level of participation. Members qualify to charter club boats by completing the NIHSA Introduction to Sailing course and/or demonstrating their competence in a comprehensive checkout sail. The NIHSA provides many opportunities for Club members to get together. Visit the NIHSA website

Vanpooling Is Economical and Environmentally Friendly

Openings are available in the vanpool from Hagerstown and Frederick to Bethesda. This 10-passenger van is leased thru Enterprise Vanpool. The vanpool leaves Hagerstown Park and Ride at 5:30am for a 7am to 4pm work shift on Bethesda Campus. The van leaves NIH at 4:15pm Monday – Friday. Full-time NIH Employees who turn in their parking hangers are eligible for the Transhare Program. Contractors are welcome but must make subsidy payments thru the Enterprise portal each month. Contact Rich Buckland at 304-582-3113

Openings available in the Owings Mill vanpool. Pick-up at 5:30am from Owings Mills Metro Station (10309 Grand Central Ave, Owings Mills, MD 21117). Van drops off anywhere in the Fishers Lane, Executive Blvd., White Flint area. Van leaves for home at 3:30pm. If interested contact Keith Savage at 301-451-1967.

Kaiser Permanente

Mobile Health Screening – March 21st

Back by popular demand! Pre-registration will open soon for complimentary biometric screenings:

• Thursday, March 21st from 9am – 3pm

• Lot 10H (South side of NIH Clinical Center)

• Screenings: blood pressure, diabetes screeningA1C, cholesterol check, health education and flu vaccine

• Pre-registration is forthcoming

• Open to all NIH staff with an ID badge. Walk-ins are welcome

• Visit News & Events for updates.

A Virtual Grocery Store Tour

The grocery store can be overwhelming when trying to make healthy choices. Join us on a virtual grocery store tour to understand how to effectively shop the grocery store.

• Wednesday, April 12th from 12pm - 12:50pm

• Learn how to prepare ahead, understand food labels and shop in-season to maximize freshness.

• Pre-register

Are you in need of a new workout plan or motivation and guidance to reach your fitness goals?

Schedule Personal Training with Shannon 25 and 50 Minute Sessions

Contact Sherrell Freeman to commit to get fit!

R&W members, thru the partnership between the R&W and TicketsAtWork, can purchase tickets to a variety of amusement parks, concerts, sporting events, movies, and more. Once you register to be an R&W member or have logged into your account, click on Member Discounts and then click on the TicketsAtWork ad. Upon registering for TicketsAtWork you will have access to a variety of different entertainment options.

Before purchasing tickets or offers thru TicketsAtWork.com make sure to completely read the instructions for how the tickets work and if they are name specific or require reservations. We encourage those who partake in any of these activities to do so safely and following CDC guidelines.

Attractions Discounts Across the US

Did you know that you can purchase tickets to most Sporting Events thru TicketsAtWork? This summer you can catch a baseball game across America or watch golf’s finest face-off in the Ryder Cup. You can do any of these and more. Discounts vary!

As an R&W member see the biggest blockbusters at a discounted price. Movie Tickets are available to a variety of movie theaters across the country. See summer’s hottest movies like Killers of the Flower Moon, Five Nights at Freddy’s, The Marvels, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Trolls Band Together, Napoleon, Wonka, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Ferrari, The Color Purple and more. Save 20% - 55%!

Are You Ready to Rock?

Catch Blink 182, Bruce Springsteen, Arctic Monkeys, Ed Sheeran, Luke Combs and more in concert across the country. Need a laugh? Catch the Trevor Noah, Steve Martin and Martin Short, Jim Gaffigan, Jerry Seinfeld and more in person. Tickets are available to concerts worldwide, even if they’re sold out. Discounts vary!

Attractions Discounts Across the US

There’s nothing like seeing a stage performance live and in person. Want to see a Broadway play? We’ve got you covered! Tickets are available for Dear Evan Hansen, Beetlejuice, MJ and more. If you’re heading to Vegas take in a different show for every night of the week. Whether you’re looking for Family Friendly, Concert, Comedy, Cirque du Soleil or Magic you’ll find something you want to see. Discounts vary by show!

R&W members can reserve a hotel stay thru TicketsAtWork at over 225,000 hotels around the world. Get advanced booking savings and last-minute deals. Be on the lookout for the Best Rate Guarantee symbol! Save up to 60%!

Rental Car discounts providers such as Enterprise, Hertz, Dollar and National. Save up to 25%!

Flying to your vacation destination? Save on airfare for American Airlines, Delta, United and more. Save up to 20%!

Skiing and Snowboarding

The weather is getting colder and winter will soon be here which means the slopes will soon have fresh powder perfect for skiing and snowboarding. TicketsAtWork has tickets to a variety of ski resorts across the US and Ikon Passes valid at over 50 unique destinations worldwide. Save up to 30%! Locations/offers subject to change.

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2024 Local Park Sneak Peak

Kings Dominion is Virginia’s premier destination for fun. With world-class thrill rides that include a 305-foot-tall gigacoaster, a 4D spin coaster, and an indoor launch coaster, thrill seekers are sure to get their fill. Planet Snoopy, the 7-acre dedicated kids’ area, is great for young adventurers, with family-friendly rides nestled under a lush canopy of trees. On a hot day, cool off at Soak City. The 20-acre waterpark boasting water slides, splash pads, a lazy river and more is included with admission (open select dates May 25September 2). Save at least 32%! Opens March 23rd.

Hersheypark is a 110-acre, clean and green theme park with over 70 rides and attractions, featuring 15 thrilling roller coasters and 20 kiddie rides; live daily entertainment; games; food; shops; and the Boardwalk At Hersheypark. Admission to ZooAmerica is FREE on same-day visit to Hersheypark when entered from within Hersheypark. ZooAmerica is an 11acre walk-through zoo with over 200 animals. Ticket is Not Valid at ZooAmerica entrance to enter Hersheypark. Opens March 29th!

New furry fun is coming to Sesame Place Philadelphia in 2024! The park will debut The123 Playground, the perfect place for adults to relax in the shade while their youngest ones run, climb, and play. The 123 Playground will be centrally located at the former site of the Sunny Day Carousel. The Sunny Day Carousel will move to Sesame Plaza and will be colorfully renovated for a new way to experience one of the park’s most popular attractions. At Sesame Place, enjoy family-friendly rides and attractions, shows and parades and meet and greet with your favorite Sesame Street characters. Save over 65%!

Tickets to a variety of theme parks across the country available thru TicketsAtWork. Start planning your Spring Break and Summer Vacation plans now.

2024 Local Park Sneak Peak

In 2024, the Loch Ness Monster will resurface as a fully restored experience loaded with all-new thrilling elements, dramatic storytelling and innovative effects, as it takes riders on its journey through the Scottish terrain via “Nessie’s” newly refurbished signature steel track. A variety of special events will take place select dates in 2024 including St. Patrick’s Day Celebration (3/8 – 3/24), Food & Wine Festival (4/25 – 6/13), Daily Summer Events (6/14 – 8/11), Bier Fest (8/16 – 9/2). Howl-O-Scream (9/6 – 11/3), Halloween Spooktacular (9/21 – 11/3) and Christmastown (11/15 – 1/5). Discounts vary!

Cool off this summer at Water Country USA®, Virginia’s largest water park. There’s fun for the entire family in a cool beach vibe, with resort-style amenities and more than 40 stateof-the-art water rides and attractions. Water Country USA features refreshing pools, children’s play areas and lazy rivers, offering hours of fun in the summer sun. Opens May 11th!

Carowinds, located on the North Carolina-South Carolina border, is the region's premier amusement park. It features 58 rides and attractions including the world's tallest and fastest giga coaster. Camp Snoopy caters to younger guests with 13 child-friendly rides. Additionally, it features Beagle Scout Acres, an expansive 8,000-square-foot play area. Carolina Harbor Waterpark, a 26-acre water park, combines the excitement of Carowinds with the coastal charm of the Carolinas. It encompasses 13 attractions, including 33 slides, two wave pools, private cabanas, and a three-acre play area for children. Save at least 30%!

In celebration of Six Flags America's 25th Anniversary year, the park will get a newly-themed SteamTown – where the past meets the future. This redeveloped steampunk realm will include a whole new storyline, three re-imagined attractions, return of the award-winning stunt show, new food and retail offers, and new surprises of prehistoric proportions. Most exciting, it will also feature the all new SteamWhirler a family thrill ride in which 4 arms rotate in fast intermeshing orbits. Entrance to Hurricane Harbor is not included in park admission, you must buy the add-on ticket. Save over 30%! Opens March 23rd!