Reston Community Center Recognized for Water Safety Leadership
RCC promotes year-round water safety through swimming instruction, adapted aquatics and lifeguard training
RESTON, VA May 13, 2026 – Reston Community Center and the Fairfax County Park Authority were recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors earlier this month, during a proclamation declaring May as Water Safety Month. The proclamation highlighted RCC’s leadership in helping residents of all ages build confidence, prevent accidents and stay safe in and around the water.
RCC Aquatics Director Matt McCall spoke on behalf of RCC and the Park Authority, emphasizing that water safety is a year-round public safety priority. “Water safety is not a seasonal effort,” McCall told the Board. “RCC, along with the Park Authority, strengthens water safety across the county – from well-managed facilities to shared standards of excellence in aquatics programming and public education. Together, we are building a safer, more prepared community.”
RCC’s Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center, located at RCC Hunters Woods, offers programs that help children, teens, adults and older adults gain skills that support safety, wellness and confidence in the water. From beginner swim instruction to advanced lifeguard certification, RCC provides residents with opportunities to learn techniques that prevent emergencies and save lives.
RCC’s Aquatics Department has a broad community impact:
- RCC offers approximately 80 weekly group learn-to-swim classes and more than 2,000 private lessons annually, to help children, teens and adults become safer, more confident swimmers.
- Each summer, RCC provides free beginner swimming lessons for children, expanding access to lifesaving skills.
- Adapted aquatics offers year-round, individualized instruction for children and adults with physical or learning disabilities, providing accessible water safety education and specialized support.
- RCC’s aqua aerobics program offers 26 classes each week, helping adults and older adults build strength, balance, cardiovascular health and social connection.
- RCC is one of the largest public American Red Cross training providers in the region. More than 300 lifeguards have been trained in the past four months and RCC plans to increase lifeguard training capacity by 75% next year.
McCall also recognized the RCC staff members whose work brings these programs to life every day, including Alfred Toussaint, Dory Traynham and Sophie Kartchner, who were present for the proclamation. Toussaint teaches children and adults to swim and stay safe in the water. Traynham helps adults maintain strength, mobility and confidence through aqua aerobics while building community beyond the pool. Kartchner trains lifeguards who protect community pools, helping many first-time job seekers become skilled, responsible safety professionals.
Through RCC Aquatics, children learn lifesaving water safety practices, adults build strength and connection and lifeguards are prepared to act when it matters most. With every class and every swimmer, RCC is strengthening a culture of water safety throughout the community.
Registration is now open for RCC’s summer aquatics sessions. Details available here – https://rebrand.ly/chqtfj4
About Reston Community Center
Reston Community Center provides a wide range of programs in aquatics, arts, enrichment and lifelong learning for all ages. RCC creates and sustains community traditions through special events, outreach activities and facility rentals enjoyed by all of Reston. RCC has been enriching lives and building community for more than 47 years. For more information visit restoncommunitycenter.com or contact us at 703-476-4500.
Enriching Lives. Building Community.
Media Contact:
Lorna Campbell Clarke, IOM
Director of Communications
703-390-6158
Lorna.Campbell-Clarke@fairfaxcounty.gov
