Daniel Island is a fabulous place to live and work, but it also happens be an exceedingly fun place to play, and one of the most active towns you’ll find. We’re so proud of our miles of trails, from those that are paved and dotted with fitness stations to the ones with island soil underfoot and live oaks overhead. But even off the trails and parks, Daniel Island recreation offers opportunities for both kid and grown-up play abound.
This community provides a remarkable variety of activities and extracurriculars, offering appeal to just about any kid, from the young athlete-in-training to the budding inventor. With the fantastic, wide-ranging options for the island’s talented and restless offspring, it’s tough for a kid to be bored in Daniel Island.
Japan Karate Institute of Daniel Island – Sensei Glenn Raus is well-respected in his Seven Farms Drive dojo and in the community because he does it right and runs it well. JKIDI’s red bus even picks kids up from Daniel Island School. The kids get spot-on karate instruction, supervised study time, and consistent reinforcement of positive social and behavioral skills. So when you pick them up, they’ve had their training, done their homework, and been de-snarked.
Black Tie Music Academy – Daniel Island is lucky enough to be called home to superstar Braeden Kershner’s flagship instructional studio. Black Tie students can take private, semi-private, or class-based lessons in virtually any conceivable instrument, as well as vocal lessons, drama, and musical theater. BTMA regularly offers such music-minded events as open mic nights and local festivals, giving its blossoming artists a forum for performance. Getting the notes right is just the beginning – these kids are cuing confidence and amplifying appreciation for all genres of music.
A.R.T.: Academy of Rightbrain Technology – An offshoot of – and located inside – Black Tie Music Academy, A.R.T. offers private and group instruction in everything visual art. From the mommy-and-me Petite Picasso classes to the limitless “Art Petting Zoo” to the Minecraft-inspired sessions, this special academy welcomes kids of all ages, design interests, and aptitude.
Daniel Island Hip Hop – Daniel Island’s own fly girl Angel Roberts heads up this kids’ crew, and you won’t believe what they can do. Miss Angel mixes high energy (and appropriately edited, of course) music and crazy fun dance moves, and her dynamite dudes and divas bring it at every performance. Classes are offered for kids ages Kindergarten through 12th grade in the Daniel Island-based studio.
Tech Savvy Kids Club – Necessity may be the mother of invention, but you could be the mother (or father) of an inventor. Located just off the island with transportation from Daniel Island School, Tech Savvy Kids Club integrates problem-solving, multi-media production, and even career exploration through the use of technology. Tomorrow’s techies will get hands-on experience with LEGO Robotics and further develop their use of computers in a safe, knowledgeable environment. Private music lessons are also available (am I the only one picturing a tiny Devo-like quartet?).
Family Circle Tennis Center – The FCTC offers MWTennis Academy with a Junior program perfectly suited to both new and experienced racquet-wielding youngsters. Classes are offered every day of the week, at various times, accommodating a wide range of school and work schedules. This program and the pros that run it assure not only that your child will have fun, but that they will also receive the same top-notch instruction that has produced over 100 NCAA athletic scholarships. The downside: a match with your own child will have you running up and down that court, desperately swinging at balls in a futile attempt to return them in-bounds, in fairly short order.
City of Charleston Department of Recreation – A flurry of sports are happening year-round, including soccer, baseball, softball, cross country, football/flag football, cheerleading, baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, track and field and girls volleyball. And, handy enough, the Department of Recreation maintains an office at the Daniel Island Municipal Center (behind the fire station).
Daniel Island Pools – The Daniel Island Club, located in Daniel Island Park, is the island’s private golf, tennis, and swim club. On the south side of Daniel Island, three additional pools are open to residents: Pierce Park, Scott Park and the newly opened Edgefield Park. The island’s youth swim team, the Flying Fish, practice through the summer months and take their skills to various area meets. A top-notch team of coaches leads tots to teens, back-strokers to butterfliers. All Daniel Island pools also offer private coaching and group swim lessons.
Private Soccer Clubs – In addition to rec department soccer, there are several private clubs in the area that offer league play and clinics. Daniel Island Soccer Academy (DISA), Jackson Soccer Development (which also offers futsal, soccer’s indoor relative), and Cainhoy Athletic Soccer Club are a few of the programs located in or near Daniel Island. A little research here can go a long way toward finding the right spot to let those shin guards fly, as each club offers a little something different.
CrossFit Discovery – Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was any athlete. Trainer and owner Robert VanNewkirk is “forging lifelong fitness” through high-intensity, varied workouts in just about the most encouraging gym environment you will find. It’s not easy, and you feel like you shouldn’t like it, but you just do.
Fit Culture – Want to twist like a pretzel? They’ve got yoga. Prefer a round of kickboxing or a trip to boot camp? Get in there. Like a lotta tabata? You’ve come to the right place. In fact, this group fitness-based public studio offers classes every day of the week, and packages are available in addition to drop-in pricing.
Peace, Love, Hip Hop – The popularity of Angel Roberts’ kids’ hip hop program drew interest from moms in the community, and has blown up into a huge following of both women and men, adults and teens. Classes are held at the new combined CrossFit Discovery/Peace Love Hip Hop facility right in downtown Daniel Island. No experience is necessary, but you will leave sweaty, smiling, and with legit swagger.
Japan Karate Institute of Daniel Island – Owner Sensei Glenn Raus, a third-degree black belt, brings a committed, patient, inspiring approach to his adult karate instruction. And his team of fellow instructors leads in the same style.
Daniel Island Property Owners Association Recreation – A dedicated recreation coordinator helps to ensure the residents of Daniel Island are neither bored nor sedentary. Outdoor yoga, bocce, and bootcamps are just a few of the (free!) tricks up her sleeve. The office also facilitates kayak and paddleboard rentals for those willing to step off island land and brave the river and creeks.
O2 Fitness – This place is open 24 hours – really – so you can use insomnia to your advantage. Go for a midnight treadmill run, watching reruns of Real Housewives of Orange County on the big screens. Or squeak in strength training and a shower, and still get to the office by 6:00 a.m.
Family Circle Tennis Center – Adult tennis leagues are open to every level of player, and lessons and wellness coaching are available through the Tennis Center’s renowned MWTennis Academy. Instructors are impressively credentialed, and the facility, which is home to the Volvo Cars Open (formerly Family Circle Cup) tennis tournament, is sprawling and beautiful.
Daniel Island In-Shore Fishing Club – Daniel Island possesses 23 miles of rivers and creeks, and the DIISFC offers residents an opportunity to meet and sport with fellow anglers. The group hosts events with guest speakers, and participates in local conservation efforts as well.
Daniel Island Golf Club – This joint is swanky, but never stuffy. The two golf courses are nationally-ranked, the clubhouse is first-class, and the pool and tennis facilities are worthy of any precious leisure time. Private memberships are available primarily to Daniel Island Park residents.
