In 100 Degree Heat, Bowtie's the Most Popular Place in Town

There's nothing like a 100 degree heat index to pump up business at Bowtie Pool.

Located in Port Reading, Bowtie is one of three outdoor public pools in the Woodbridge area and offers membership and guest day passes for families, as well as a full-day summer camp for children ages 5 to 14.

The facilities include a 25-yard pool, 12-ft. high waterslide, a kiddie pool with a mini-waterslide, and a picnic area and playground, so there is something to keep everyone occupied.

"People have been coming in drones on the weekends because of the recent heatwave," said the pool's manager, Robin Goodrich. "The whole picnic area has been full on Saturdays and Sundays."

Bowtie Pool is open from 11 am to 8 pm on weekends, and from noon to 8 pm weekdays. The pool opens early to serve the camp that is run through the Woodbridge YMCA.

"Parents are able to drop their kids off at 7 am, and they can stay as late as 6:30 if they're signed up for aftercare," said Goodrich.

The camp engages kids in various activities including morning swim lessons, field games, crafts, and day trips. All activities are meant to foster a non-competitive environment that promotes inclusion; there are no winners and losers.

The campers enjoy the activities they participate in at camp.

Thirteen-year-old Tyler has been coming to the camp for three years now, because he's made a lot of good friends that he gets to see every summer, and he gets to improve his swimming skills.

"My favorite thing that we get to do at camp is the swim lesson we get to have every morning to make sure we remember how to do different strokes," Tyler said. "I've become a better swimmer."

Tiffany Malcolm is a YMCA employee who has worked as the lead counselor for the Bowtie summer camp for six years. She has been working with most of the kids since they were five years old.

"I know a lot of the kids from the afterschool and child care programs Robin runs during the year, so I've established a relationship with all of them," Malcolm said.

The Bowtie Pool is owned by the township and is run by the YMCA, so pool members are able to participate in all offered recreational activities. The pool is open to guests with day passes, but a membership may suit anyone looking for a way to become more active this summer.