The Gardens Ice House Youth Programs and Camps

The Gardens Ice House Youth Programs and Camps include the Learn-To-Skate USA program, Learn to Play ice hockey, public skating sessions, pickup and Stick & Puck ice times, work sessions on the ice, and Summer Activity Camps. The facility also offers adult hockey and curling through the National Capitol Curling Center, which is located inside The Gardens Ice House.

• Ages: 4–12 years old

The Learn-To-Skate USA program at The Gardens Ice House is directed by Skating Director Greg Maddalone. The Gardens Sports Limited Learn-To-Skate USA program lists Nikki Goldschmitt, who has a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University with a major in Sports Management and minors in Business Administration and Art. The leadership team for The Gardens Ice House includes Founder and President Clai Carr; CRA General Manager and Vice President Marketing Director Billy Carr; CFO Frances Tana; Manager of Operations Jon Tippets; retired Co-Founder and General Manager Tom Hendrix; Front Desk Administration staff member Nikki Goldschmitt; Administrative Manager and Learn to Play Hockey Administrator Irene Hudson; Supervisors Steve McAbee and Fabian Carrillo; and Skating Director Greg Maddalone. The Learn to Play program introduces ice hockey to kids 12 and younger and provides the equipment, time, and instruction. The Gardens Ice House states its mission as: “We want your visit to The Gardens Ice House to be the Highlight of your Day. Every guest. Every Colleague. Every Day.” The Gardens Ice House is home to five youth hockey programs, several youth leagues, numerous high school teams, the Maryland Scholastic High School Championship, and the Gardens Figure Skating Club, and it also houses the National Capitol Curling Center, which is separately operated by the Potomac Curling Club. The Gardens Ice House opened in 1996 and has been operating for 25 years, and the National Capitol Curling Center opened in 2002. The facility is described as a veteran owned facility and as the largest skating and hockey facility of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic and in the DC/Maryland area, and it is open every day of the year. The USA Hockey–sanctioned adult league at The Gardens Ice House is noted as the 8th largest adult league in the country.

Last updated July 20, 2026.