The Kroc Center in Philadelphia: Rates and Review

Wow.  Just wow.  The place is off-the-hook, first-rate, state of the art, just amazingly impressive.  At least for me it was.  As someone who grew up in suburban YMCA's, this was like suddenly being in prime time.  A beautiful facility.

The Salvation Army Kroc center is very conveniently located for GAP area families.  From Chestnut Hill, it was a 17 minute drive mid-day.  Located at the intersection of Rt. 1 and Wissahickon, it would be even closer for Mt. Airy and Germantown families.  It's also convenient to SEPTA bus routes.
Map

The Kroc Center was made possible by donations from the Kroc family (of McDonald's fame).  The 130,000 square foot facility is a community center on 12.4 acres of land.  It boasts community programs, recreational facilities and social services.  Everything is brand new and everything is beautifully done.  The pool is spectacular.  And it's not just a pool.  It's an aquatic dreamland.  There is a 10 lane, 25 meter competition pool (set to hold the Army Navy Swim Meet this Thursday night!).  And Jim ellis, legendary swim coach depicted in the movie Pride, will oversee the swim program.

There's a separate wonderland for the recreational swimmer;  the recreational pool/waterpark has a one-story water slide, a lazy river, a huge bucket dump, an enormous wading area, and wonderful Nemo-inspired fountains of fun.  Oh, and they do birthday parties.

The facility also has much, much more to offer:
- an outdoor all-turf soccer/field hockey field
- a stunning cafe
- workout facilities galore
- basketball courts
- computer lab
- outdoor grill/pavillion
- worship/performance space
- ballet/dance/exercise studios
- music studio and rehearsal rooms
- on-site childcare for members using the facility
- early childhood center (opening 2011)
- after school programs
- adult education programs (financial literacy, GED, computers)
- community garden

There are exercise, dance, and activity classes of all stripes.  And I'm sure I'm forgetting plenty.  You have to see it for yourself, even if you don't join.  Membership rates are reasonably priced when you consider that most classes are included (rather than added on to the cost of the membership).

Monthly Membership Rates:
Adult 19-61........... $39
Household 3-4 .... $99
Household 3-8 .... $119
Senior................... $33
Youth................... $25
(kids under 5 years old are free on household memberships)

Annual Memberships:
Adult 19-61........... $428

Household 3-4 .... $1,089

Household 3-8 .... $1,309

Senior................... $363

Youth................... $275

Enrollment Fees:

Adults 19-61........ $99

Household.......... $149

Senior 62+.......... $89

Youth.................. $49

* Need-based scholarships available.  

Local Resources: Weaver's Way Co-op ... Middle Schooler Post

It is the mission that makes Weavers Way Cooperative Association so unique and great for kids and families. The mission is to be committed to the community as well as a "small yet satisfying" grocer. They also have a farm located in the Awbury Arboretum 1011 E Washington Lane, which produces vegetables and more. They are big enough to get good fresh food yet small enough to be a co-op. 

Weavers Way just opened their third store in Chestnut Hill right next to Jos.A.Bank. When you walk inside you can see these beautiful collages of fruits. According to Joel Levinson Associates, they are also planning on a garden/pavilion out back. Weavers Way all started way back in 1972 in a church basement when the owner went to get the food so he could make a profit. Then the Mt. Airy store opened and you had to choose to be a member because six people could only fit in there at the same time! Now you can just walk in get some food and leave with or without being a member. 

They have fresh foods, healthy foods, and lots of other natural products like shampoos and even toys.  There are three locations in the GAP area in Ogontz, Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy:

Mt. Airy

Open 9-8 

Seven Day a Week!

Ogontz

Monday-Saturday 10 - 6

Sundays: CLOSED

Chestnut Hill

Monday-Saturday 7 to 8

Sunday 9 to 8

http://weaversway.coop/

Local Resources: NIM's Early Learning Resource Room

This post is the first in a series about local resources serving families with children in the GAP area.  (If you have a resource you'd like to see highlighted, please contact us).  

Northwest Interfaith Movement hosts a wide range of services for families and children, but the Early Learning Resource Room recently relocated in Mt. Airy is a treasure for families looking to keep things fresh and interesting.

You can think of the Resource Room as library of TOYS!  You can select themed "kits" on everything from dinosaurs to rock collecting to monkeys jumping on the bed.  Kits can be taken out for up to 4 weeks at a time, and you borrow multiple kits at once.   In addition to the themed kits, there are age-appropriate bins for infants through kindergartners, as well as gross-motor materials like rainbow parachutes.  The resource room also has tons of wonderful children's books, big books, and videos.  There are also informational parenting books and great big idea books.  They also have a lamination, die-cut, book binding, & art waxing machines... wonderful for creating durable projects and decorations!

Annual membership is $25.00 per individual/family.

Location: 7051 Germantown Ave, 19119

Hours:
      Monday: 10 -5 pm
      Wednesday: 10 - 6 pm
      Friday: 10 - 5 pm
* Closed 12-1 pm