Stronger Together: How Family Fitness in Clark County Builds Health, Connection and Community

A First Splash 

The first time I brought my twin boys into the water, I wasn’t sure what to expect. 

They were small, still in that baby stage where everything feels new, a little uncertain and incredibly important. I remember standing at the edge of the pool at Kids Club in Salmon Creek, holding each of them close, wondering if they would cry, cling to me or if I was doing the right thing. 

The air was warm and humid, and the sound of splashing echoed around us. Other parents moved through the water with ease, singing softly and encouraging their little ones. I stood there for a moment, taking it all in, watching how comfortable they seemed and wondering if we would get there too. 

One of my boys wasn’t so sure at first. He hesitated and clung a little tighter, unsure of this new environment. His fingers wrapped around my shoulder as his toes skimmed the surface, testing something unfamiliar. 

I remember whispering to him, telling him it was okay, that I was right there. We eased in slowly, inch by inch, moment by moment. 

But over time, something changed. 

Now, he loves the water. 

With the guidance of our instructor, Rachelle Pacheco, we started with gentle movements, soft songs and small splashes. What felt like play was actually something much bigger. We were building comfort, confidence and trust in the water. 

Each week, I watched both grow more at ease, kicking a little stronger, floating a little longer and smiling a little bigger. What once felt uncertain became something they looked forward to. 

In those moments, I realized something. This wasn’t just a class. It was one of the first ways we were learning to be active together as a family. 

More Than Just Fitness 

Family fitness can sometimes feel like one more thing on an already full schedule. Trust me, as a busy mom with now 7-year-old twins, I know. Between work, school, activities and the constant pull of screens, carving out time to move together can feel overwhelming. 

But what if it didn’t have to be? 

What if family fitness looked less like a structured routine and more like shared moments? A swim lesson. A game of tennis. A visit to a community center. A walk that turns into a race. A new activity that sparks laughter instead of pressure. 

Across Clark County, families are discovering that fitness isn’t just about staying in shape. It is about connection, confidence and creating habits that last. 

Why the Water Matters 

At Kids Club, Aquatics Director Brooke Daggett says the goal is simple: safety first. “Our mission is to make sure every community member is safe and educated around water,” she said. 

That education starts early. “The younger, the better,” added assistant aquatics director Rachelle Pacheco. 

Babies as young as three months old can begin learning to feel comfortable in the water. Those early experiences help build confidence and reduce fear over time. While classes may look like play, splashing, singing and floating, they are laying the foundation for critical life skills. 

Swimming is one of the few activities families can do together from such a young age, but it also carries real responsibility. “Drowning can be silent,” Daggett said. “It can happen a foot away from you.” 

That is why Kids Club emphasizes supervision through its “Water Watcher” approach, where one adult is always focused on the water. 

“When everyone’s watching, no one’s watching,” she said. Children learn simple but essential skills like turning back to the wall, floating on their back and calling for help. 

“They think it’s fun,” Pacheco said. “But they’re learning something that can save their life.” For many families, swim lessons become something more than just skill-building. 

“It’s a bonding experience,” Daggett said. Over time, those lessons create new opportunities for families to be together. 

“It opens the door for families to safely enjoy the water together and build meaningful experiences,” said Daggett. 

More Than a Workout 

That same sense of connection is at the heart of Vancouver’s community centers. 

At Marshall Community Center, Director Andy Meade has spent more than 20 years watching families grow, not just physically but socially and emotionally. “We build community,” Meade said. “It’s not just people working out. You always see people sitting, talking and catching up.” 

Community centers offer something different from traditional gyms. They are spaces where families can explore, connect and find activities that fit their needs. 

For some families, that might mean swimming together after school. For others, it is enrolling kids in a class while parents exercise nearby or even participating side by side in activities like family swim or open gym time. 

For parents, that matters. Sometimes the hardest part of family fitness is simply getting out of the house. 

Community centers make it easier. At Marshall and Firstenburg, families can swim, climb, take classes, join sports or simply spend time together in a shared space. “Our intent is that once you get here, you see how much it has to offer,” Meade said. 

That variety helps families stay engaged and build routines that last. Kids can try new activities, gain confidence and discover what they enjoy, while parents find ways to stay active alongside them. Over time, these spaces become part of a family’s rhythm, a place where kids recognize faces, parents build connections and everyone feels a sense of familiarity and belonging. 

Another key piece is accessibility. Marshall offers affordable options, including low-cost swim sessions, making it possible for families to participate. 

“These are the people’s spaces,” Meade said. 

It is not just about fitness. It is about belonging and creating spaces where families feel comfortable coming back again and again. 

Finding Fun Through Sport 

For families looking for something different, Evergreen Tennis offers another way to stay active. “Tennis is a full-body sport,” said club manager and teaching pro Alec Wisthoff. “But it’s also like a chess match.” 

Players are constantly thinking, reacting and moving, often without realizing how much exercise they are getting. 

For kids, that mental and physical combination keeps them engaged. They are not just running, they are learning how to anticipate, problem-solve and adapt, all while having fun. 

Tennis offers flexibility for families at every stage. Parents and kids do not have to be at the same level to participate, and many families grow into the sport together over time. 

“You can start at any time,” Wisthoff said. That removes pressure and allows kids to explore at their own pace. 

“The goal is to build a love for an activity,” he said. 

That mindset helps create long-term habits and keeps fitness enjoyable. It also creates opportunities for connection, whether it is practicing together, rallying back and forth or simply cheering each other on from the sidelines. 

Family fitness does not have to be complicated. A public court. A basic racket. A few tennis balls. 

That is enough to get started. What matters is not perfection. It is participation. When families move together, something shifts. They communicate more. They laugh more. They support each other. 

Kids gain confidence by watching their parents try and grow, and parents become active participants instead of just observers. Those moments add up over time. 

A Summer to Get Moving 

As summer approaches, families are looking for ways to stay active and connected. 

The options are everywhere: 

• Community centers 
   

• Swim lessons 
   

• Local parks 
   

• Sports programs 
   

• Family-friendly events 
   

It does not have to be structured. It just has to happen. 

The Bigger Picture 

Family fitness is not about doing everything. It is about doing something, together. 

Because when families move together, they build more than strength. They build memories. They build confidence. They build connection. 

For me, with my twins, it started in the water. I have watched my boys grow braver, more confident and more comfortable in their own abilities. 

One of them who once clung tightly to me now kicks, splashes and smiles without hesitation. 

I know this is just the beginning. Because in the end, family fitness is not just about raising healthy kids. It is about growing together. 

Read the May 2026 Issue