Your Guide to CA’s 2025 Pool Season
We’re so excited to welcome you back to CA’s outdoor pools for another fun-filled summer! Our Aquatics team has been working behind the scenes to prepare all 23 pools for opening on Saturday, May 24 😎.
Here are a few reminders to make the most of your pool experience!
Know before you go 🏊🏽♀️
Before you suit up, bookmark this page – CA’s new interactive pool guide features a real-time map showing the status of all 23 outdoor pools in one convenient place. From pool capacity to off-hours to available amenities, it’s all there.
We also have a printable pool map! Check it out here.
Safety is our priority 💪🏼
This summer, we’re proud to have over 600 team members dedicated to keeping our pools safe – one of our largest teams to date. While our lifeguards always keep a safe eye, water safety is a shared responsibility. We encourage parents and caregivers to stay alert and actively supervise young swimmers at all times.
A peek into lifeguard training for the 2025 pool season
As a reminder, free life vests are available at all CA outdoor pools. Ask any CA lifeguard for help finding the right fit for your child. We also offer swim lessons for all ages and ability levels, including adults. Click here for more information on swim lessons, plus a “find your class” flowchart for those unsure where to start.
Everyone is welcome here 💚💙
After our first official season as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) last year, we’re excited to continue creating a more accessible experience for individuals with autism.
All 23 of CA’s outdoor pools have a comprehensive sensory guide, which helps prepare children and families for their experience and the potential impact on their senses. Each pool is also equipped with sensory bags, which include noise-canceling headphones, water sensory timers and fidget toys to support a more comfortable experience.
Here’s what’s inside those neon orange sensory bags!
As part of this effort, CA’s team members have completed training focused on better understanding and serving individuals with autism. This is in addition to our nearly decade-long partnership with the Autism Society of Maryland, which provides annual autism awareness training for our team.
We’re also proud to offer a designated sensory-friendly space at Macgill’s Common Pool. This space is intentionally designed to accommodate children with autism who may face challenges with transitions, routines, or sensory overstimulation.
Free summer fun 😎
Live on CA-assessed property, but not a CA member? You can request a free Columbia Card to enjoy our outdoor pools at a discounted rate.
Columbia Cardholders get four guest passes per household for the 2025 season, which can be used Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays). All Columbia Cardholders also get free admission to CA’s outdoor pools on the second Sunday of each month: June 8, July 13 and August 10. Obtaining a Columbia Cardholder is an easy (and free) process – contact CA’s Customer Care Team at CustomerCare@ColumbiaAssociation.org or 410-730-1801.
Plus, check out these free events open to the entire community:
- First Splash (Tuesday, May 27-Friday, May 30). Swimmers ages 18 and under can dive into free practice sessions with the Columbia Neighborhood Swim League (CNSL) during this special preview week. It’s a great chance to try out the team and see what CNSL is all about (learn more here).
- World’s Largest Swim Lesson (Thursday, June 26). Join us at Faulkner Ridge Pool for this global event focused on drowning prevention and water safety. CA is proud to take part in this international effort—everyone is welcome to participate!
- Coral Reef Encounter (Saturday, July 19-Sunday, July 20). Snorkel through a colorful, immersive display and enjoy live music at Jeffers Hill Pool, open for ages five and older.
Party like it’s 2025 🎉
New this year, Swansfield Mini-WaterPark offers a large dedicated shaded party area to rent for poolside parties (up to 40 people). You can also rent other CA pools for parties, too (click here for more details).
We’re always working behind the scenes to improve our pool experience, so stay tuned for some exciting updates next season!
Save the date 🗓
Don’t miss a thing this summer!
- Tuesday, May 27- Friday, May 30: First Splash (free CNSL practice).
- Saturday, May 31: Howard County High School Swim Meet at Stevens Forest Pool.
- Sunday, June 1: Special Olympics of Maryland Swim Meet at Stevens Forest Pool.
- Sunday, June 8: SECOND SUNDAY! Columbia Cardholders get free admission to all CA pools.
- Sunday, June 22: Columbia Sprint Triathlon at Clemens Crossing Pool.
- Thursday, June 26: World’s Largest Swim Lesson at Faulkner Ridge Pool.
- Sunday, July 13: SECOND SUNDAY! Columbia Cardholders get free admission to all CA pools. Sunday, July 13: 19th Annual Donna Sunderdick Columbia Peddle & Paddle (event info here).
- Saturday, July 19-Sunday, July 20: Coral Reef Encounter at Jeffers Hill Pool event (event info here).
- Sunday, July 20: Columbia Kids Triathlon at Clemens Crossing Pool.
- Friday, July 25-Saturday, July 26: CNSL All-City Championship Swim Meet.
- Sunday, August 10: SECOND SUNDAY! Columbia Cardholders get free admission to all CA pools.
General reminders
- Military members and their families pay Columbia Cardholder admission rates at Faulkner Ridge, Jeffers Hill, Macgill’s Common, Running Brook and Talbott Springs.
- CA’s outdoor pools accept electronic payments and CA gift cards only. Cash will not be accepted.
- Just like last year, you can look forward to a variety of food and refreshments from local food trucks all summer long.
- Need a refresher on our pool rules? Check out CA’s policies and FAQs here.
Don’t forget to follow CA on Facebook and Instagram for more pool season updates!
