An unassuming entrance to a mega sports nirvana
If you’re looking for a place where kids can stay active, learn new skills, and have a blast year-round, The St. James in Springfield, VA, should be on your radar. The massive sports, wellness, and entertainment complex offers an incredible variety of programs for kids (and adults!) of all ages, from summer camps and sports leagues to gymnastics and dance training to an active entertainment center and indoor waterpark to fitness areas and workout classes… and even more!
We first visited not long after its opening in 2018, and I took the kids to play at the Super, Awesome, and Amazing activity center and waterpark several times over the years. But besides watching a family friend’s hockey match, I hadn’t really experienced much more than that there — until last week when I was invited to spend a day at the St. James. They were introducing a new partnership with Ajinomoto Foods (did I mention they also have a restaurant on premises?) and asked if I wanted to come for a tasting and a full St. James experience. That was an easy “yes!”
What stood out most was just how substantial The St. James is. Not only is the complex enormous — a whopping 450,000 square feet! — with high-quality sports facilities and professional-grade venues, the offerings are extensive. Even more, I learned just how great a destination it is for the whole family.
Summer Camps That Make Life Easier for Parents
A standout offering at The St. James right now is its extensive lineup of summer camps. There are sports-focused camps, specialty camps, and multi-activity programs designed to keep them active, engaged, and having fun throughout the summer. A feature parents will especially appreciate: lunch is included! That’s one less thing to think about during the morning rush, and makes camp drop-off even easier for busy parents. And speaking of drop-off, if you’re in DC and can’t make the drive out to Springfield, transportation is available as an add-on from Eastern Market, Georgetown, and Navy Yard. So, whether your child loves sports, wants to try something new, or simply needs an active and engaging summer experience, there are camp options for a wide range of interests and age groups.
Sports Programs Galore
The St. James is much more than a camp destination. Throughout the year, kids can participate in a wide range of classes, leagues, and programs, including:
• Baseball • Soccer
• Basketball • Softball
• Boxing • Squash
• Cheer • Swimming
• Cross Country • Track & Field
• Dance • Volleyball
• Field Hockey • Wrestling
• Football • Gymnastics
• Futsal • Lacrosse
• Golf • Ice Skating
• Hockey
Whether your child is trying something for the first time or looking to develop competitive skills, there are programs available for a variety of ages and experience levels. And they all take place in impressive, state-of-the-art facilities.
More Than Just Sports
While the sports programs and facilities are a big draw, many visitors go just for some of the other fun and entertaining elements. The Super, Awesome & Amazing adventure center lives up to its name and is a great place for kids to be active indoors, with all kinds of climbing apparatuses, inflatable obstacle courses, ninja-style challenges, and more. There is also an arcade full of video games for a little break from the physical activity. (And FYI, they offer birthday parties!)
And if you want to make a splash, there is an indoor waterpark with slides, sprays, and dump buckets that is open year-round. Birthday parties offered there, too!
Along with facilities for kids, there are fitness and wellness amenities for adults, including the Performance Club and Courted Spa, where I enjoyed an Aescape massage (more on both below). There is also the Vim and Victor cafe, a virtual driving range for golf practice (that can be reserved for social gatherings), and an Olympic sized swimming pool for laps.
Plenty for Parents, Too
While kids may initially be the reason families visit The St. James, adults will find plenty to love as well. During my visit, I had the chance to explore the Performance Club, a premium fitness center for members ages 12 and older. The three-level space has an impressive selection of cardio and strength equipment, functional training areas, and plenty of room to work out without feeling crowded. I also participated in a stretch class that worked with my timing, but there are a variety of classes on the schedule.
Something worth noting is that membership at The St. James includes 20% off sports programs, camps, private lessons, and youth training. A friend of mine got a membership when her son was playing hockey there, so she could use the facilities while he was practicing — and get a discount on his program.
One of the more intriguing experiences was trying an Aescape massage at the Courted Spa. This innovative wellness experience uses advanced technology to give a customized massage tailored to your body, essentially a robotic massage. While you’re on the table, your are looking at a digital tablet below, and you can see exactly what the “robot” is doing and adjust it acording to your preferences — more or less pressure, focus on certain spots, etc. You can also select music and ambiance. It was quite really good — it worked my tight muscles, but still felt relaxing, and I just zoned out and forgot a machine was doing the work.
Refuel at Vim & Victor
After working up an appetite, I had the opportunity to sample the new menu items from Ajinomoto Foods at Vim & Victor, the on-site restaurant Their array of delicious dumplings are now part of the menu that offers a variety of healthy and flavorful options. How great is it to have an eatery right there, making it easy to grab a meal, snack, or post-workout bite without leaving the facility? Parents can get food (or even drinks) while kids are at sports practice, or you can easily feed them there after a training sessions. Vim & Victor also makes all the lunches for the summer camps, providing kids with yummy, heathy meals so parents can cross t hat task off the to-do list.
So, are you ready to check out The St. James? Explore more on their website or go see for yourself!
The St. James
Where: |6805 Industrial Road | Springfield, VA
When: Mon–Fri, 5:00am – 11pm | Sat-Sun, 6am – 10pm (but activity times vary)
Admission: Varies by activity/program
Explore membership options!
