DC Way
Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
About
DC Way offers a wide range of soccer and multi-activity options, including Summer Camp, Art & Soccer Summer Camp, Soccer, Art & Explore Summer Camp, World Cup Summer Camp, Brazilian Way Summer Camp, Preschool Summer Camp, Spring Break Camp, One Day Camp, and Art & Soccer Day Camp. The program also runs Capitol Hill Fall League, Weekly Skills Clinics, Kids Academy, a Challenge Level Program, Adult Skills Clinics, Goalkeeping School, Private Lessons, Soccer Birthday Party events, and After-School Programs such as the After-School Program at Sherwood Rec.
• Ages: 3–14 years old
• Schedule: Programs run Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm; Preschool Summer Camp runs August 24 to 26
DC Way was founded in 2013 and is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, with more than a decade of experience sharing its love of sports with children. The club describes itself as a Capitol Hill-based, award-winning recreational soccer club and a community-enriching youth sports club, and it emphasizes sportsmanship and putting players first. Its programs have expanded from an after-school soccer program to an extensive lineup of soccer programs for children aged 3–14 that run all year round, including weekdays and weekends, and include futsal-based winter soccer programs described in its blog.
DC Way’s mission is to help develop the game of soccer in the DC area and bring opportunities for all children to play and enjoy soccer, to develop bright young athletes, and to help children be active and play, all at an affordable cost. Every program is carefully developed and planned, with the head coach personally considering the age, ability, and number of players in each session, and the club uses a dynamic training curriculum with engaging drills, fun games, and life lessons. The Challenge Level Program blends high-quality training with competitive league play, the Brazilian Way Summer Camp combines authentic coaching from experienced Brazilian coaches with the energy and style of Brazilian soccer, and the World Cup Summer Camp features a different country theme each week related to the World Cup. Preschool Summer Camp is designed for ages 3 to 5 with small groups and experienced coaches, Kids Academy offers both soccer sessions and multi-sport sessions, the After-School Program at Sherwood Rec includes sports, art, and smart/board games, and Adult Skills Clinics are designed for players who want to grow beyond the basics.
DC Way is led by Founder & Program Director Denis Chekuristov, Executive Director Roman Kilishek, Marketing Manager Melis Bayraktaroglu, and Manager of Operations Russ Guliyev. Denis Chekuristov has a National Soccer Coaching License for ages 8–12 and a Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma, grew up training in the Volgar Gazprom FC youth academy system, competed successfully at the collegiate level, and was one of the pioneers of futsal in his hometown of Astrakhan, Russia. Roman Kilishek has an MBA from George Mason University and a strong background in finance and project management. Melis Bayraktaroglu is a graduate of The George Washington University School of Business with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Organizational Sciences, and she competed in professional tennis tournaments before joining the varsity tennis team at The George Washington University.
DC Way is an award-winning recreational soccer club that has won two categories in the Best of D.C. issue: “Best Sports Coach” and “Best Summer Camp.” It was recognized as Best Soccer Camp in Washington, DC by the Washington City Paper Reader's Poll in 2017, and Denis Chekuristov earned recognition as the Best Sports Coach by Washington City Paper in both 2016 and 2017. DC Way describes itself as working closely with parents and families so everyone feels welcomed and valued, and it states a goal to become the preliminary soccer education company in the DC area and to be the best community-enriching youth sports club. The club expresses gratitude for the journey shared with its vibrant community, thanks people for being part of the DC Way family, and maintains a blog intended to keep players, parents, coaches, and fans informed, inspired, and connected with the DC Way community. Marketing Manager Melis Bayraktaroglu also actively volunteers to help combat chronic homelessness and is involved in various community initiatives.
Last updated June 14, 2026.
• Ages: 3–14 years old
• Schedule: Programs run Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm; Preschool Summer Camp runs August 24 to 26
DC Way was founded in 2013 and is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, with more than a decade of experience sharing its love of sports with children. The club describes itself as a Capitol Hill-based, award-winning recreational soccer club and a community-enriching youth sports club, and it emphasizes sportsmanship and putting players first. Its programs have expanded from an after-school soccer program to an extensive lineup of soccer programs for children aged 3–14 that run all year round, including weekdays and weekends, and include futsal-based winter soccer programs described in its blog.
DC Way’s mission is to help develop the game of soccer in the DC area and bring opportunities for all children to play and enjoy soccer, to develop bright young athletes, and to help children be active and play, all at an affordable cost. Every program is carefully developed and planned, with the head coach personally considering the age, ability, and number of players in each session, and the club uses a dynamic training curriculum with engaging drills, fun games, and life lessons. The Challenge Level Program blends high-quality training with competitive league play, the Brazilian Way Summer Camp combines authentic coaching from experienced Brazilian coaches with the energy and style of Brazilian soccer, and the World Cup Summer Camp features a different country theme each week related to the World Cup. Preschool Summer Camp is designed for ages 3 to 5 with small groups and experienced coaches, Kids Academy offers both soccer sessions and multi-sport sessions, the After-School Program at Sherwood Rec includes sports, art, and smart/board games, and Adult Skills Clinics are designed for players who want to grow beyond the basics.
DC Way is led by Founder & Program Director Denis Chekuristov, Executive Director Roman Kilishek, Marketing Manager Melis Bayraktaroglu, and Manager of Operations Russ Guliyev. Denis Chekuristov has a National Soccer Coaching License for ages 8–12 and a Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma, grew up training in the Volgar Gazprom FC youth academy system, competed successfully at the collegiate level, and was one of the pioneers of futsal in his hometown of Astrakhan, Russia. Roman Kilishek has an MBA from George Mason University and a strong background in finance and project management. Melis Bayraktaroglu is a graduate of The George Washington University School of Business with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Organizational Sciences, and she competed in professional tennis tournaments before joining the varsity tennis team at The George Washington University.
DC Way is an award-winning recreational soccer club that has won two categories in the Best of D.C. issue: “Best Sports Coach” and “Best Summer Camp.” It was recognized as Best Soccer Camp in Washington, DC by the Washington City Paper Reader's Poll in 2017, and Denis Chekuristov earned recognition as the Best Sports Coach by Washington City Paper in both 2016 and 2017. DC Way describes itself as working closely with parents and families so everyone feels welcomed and valued, and it states a goal to become the preliminary soccer education company in the DC area and to be the best community-enriching youth sports club. The club expresses gratitude for the journey shared with its vibrant community, thanks people for being part of the DC Way family, and maintains a blog intended to keep players, parents, coaches, and fans informed, inspired, and connected with the DC Way community. Marketing Manager Melis Bayraktaroglu also actively volunteers to help combat chronic homelessness and is involved in various community initiatives.
Last updated June 14, 2026.
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