What Mclean Community Center does

McLean Community Center (MCC) is a public community center operated under Fairfax County government, serving residents of the McLean Tax District (Dranesville Small District 1A) and surrounding patrons in McLean, Virginia. Founded in October 1975, MCC operates four physical assets: the main center at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, the Robert Ames Alden Theatre (performing arts), the Old Firehouse Center teen facility at 1440 Chain Bridge Road, and the McLean Central Park amphitheater used for the Summer Concert Series. The organization delivers a year-round portfolio of classes, summer camps (Camp McLean, Camp Shakespeare, MPA Art Camps, OFC Summer Camp Trips, instructional camps), theatrical and musical performances, community events (McLean Day, McLean 5K, McLean Artfest), and venue rentals, with programs segmented across children, teens, adults, and seniors (50+).

MCC's revenue model is a hybrid of public appropriation and user fees. The McLean Tax District provides baseline operating funding approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, supplemented by program registration fees, facility rentals (Alden Theatre, Old Firehouse), ticket sales for performances, and vendor participation fees for events such as the parking lot sale. Pricing follows a two-tier structure: McLean Tax District residents receive discounted rates across camps, classes, and tickets, while non-residents pay standard rates (e.g., summer camps $184–$500 per session, theater tickets $18–$25). Distribution is multi-channel: online self-service registration via the Active Network platform, in-person registration at the main center, box-office sales at the Alden Theatre, and direct venue-rental inquiries. Marketing is community-led, relying on the website, weekly email newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter), and seasonal print program guides.

Underlying technology is thin and entirely third-party: MCC uses the Active Communities registration platform for enrollment and a WordPress-based public website, with no proprietary systems, APIs, or data assets described. Strategic depth comes from a deep partnership network that supplies programming content — McLean Project for the Arts (visual arts and McLean Artfest), Mad Science (STEM camps), Art In Motion Dance, Learn Now Music, and Silver Knights Chess Academy — allowing MCC to scale program breadth without proportionally expanding internal headcount or curriculum development.

Name

Mclean Community Center

Legal name

McLean Community Center

Website

https://mcleancenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

McLean Community Center is a Fairfax County public community center serving McLean, Virginia residents with classes, summer camps, theatrical performances, and community events across multiple facilities, funded by a local tax district and program fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Recreation Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD), Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies) (EDAMALAB), Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

Keywords

• Community recreation programs
• Educational classes and camps
• Performing arts theater
• Teen center activities
• Community event management

Headquarters

HQ city

Mc Lean

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Registration Fees: Revenue from class registrations, camp fees, and activity participation charges. Fee structure distinguishes between MCC district residents and non-residents, with resident rates being lower.
2. Facility Rentals: Revenue from renting out venues including The Alden Theatre and Old Firehouse Center for private events and community gatherings.
3. Ticket Sales: Revenue from theatrical performances and concerts, with pricing tiers for standard, senior, and MCC district resident categories.
4. Tax District Funding: Public funding through McLean Tax District (Dranesville Small District 1A) supporting center operations and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

McLean Community Center operates a multi-facility public complex in McLean, Virginia, providing recreational, educational, and cultural programs for residents of Dranesville Small District 1A. Core offerings include summer camps (Camp McLean, instructional camps, MPA art camps, OFC summer camp trips), community classes for all ages, performing arts programming at the Robert Ames Alden Theatre, teen programs at the Old Firehouse Center, community events (McLean Day, McLean 5K, Summer Concert Series, McLean Artfest), and facility rentals.

Product overview

McLean Community Center (MCC) is a community center organization providing family fun, events, and educational programs for residents of McLean, Virginia. The center operates as a multi-facility complex including the main community center, the Robert Ames Alden Theatre for performing arts, and the Old Firehouse Center for teen programs. The organization offers a diverse portfolio of programs including summer camps (Camp McLean, instructional camps, MPA art camps, OFC summer camp trips), community classes for all ages, special events (McLean Day, McLean 5K, Summer Concert Series, McLean Artfest), and theater performances through McLean Community Players. The center celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025 and serves Dranesville Small District 1A.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Alden Theatre: Robert Ames Alden Theatre - performing arts theater hosting community performances, concerts, and theatrical productions.
• Old Firehouse / Old Firehouse Center
• McLean Artfest
• McLean 5K
• Camp McLean
• Camp Shakespeare
• McLean Community Players
• The Unruly Theatre Project
• Macdonald Performing Arts Scholarship Competition
• Seniors in Action

Products and services

• The Alden Theatre The Robert Ames Alden Theatre is a performance venue operated by MCC, hosting theatrical productions, concerts, and community performances including the McLean Community Players productions.
• Old Firehouse Center (OFC) A teen center at 1440 Chain Bridge Rd serving youth with after-school programs, Friday Night Activities, summer camp trips, and community events like the OFC Block Party.
• Camp McLean A wide array of experiences for children ages 5-10, organized around themes like 'The Making of Heroes' with trips, performances, and fun activities.
• Summer Concert Series in the Park Free outdoor concerts held Thursday evenings at the McLean Central Park amphitheater, featuring performances like Uptown and Koo Koo.
• McLean Day Annual community celebration event held at McLean Central Park, featuring special activities and entertainment.
• McLean 5K A certified running course through McLean for runners of all abilities, held annually in October.
• McLean Artfest A juried fine arts festival showcasing over 30 local and regional visual artists at McLean Central Park, featuring contemporary art, children's activities, food trucks, and live music.
• MPA Summer Art Camps Seven weeks of art camps for ages 6-13 covering various themes including Mask-Querade, Dynamic Art, Pop Art, and Hand-Building with Clay, operated by McLean Project for the Arts.
• Community Classes Programs including Children's Classes, Teen Classes, Adult Classes, Parents & Children, and 50+ Programs covering areas such as Chess, Dance, Music, and Science.
• McLean Community Players Community theater productions presented at The Alden Theatre, including the Tony Award-winning musical '1776'.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves residents of Dranesville Small District 1A and surrounding patrons

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• McLean Project for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcLean Project for the Arts (MPA) is a key partner in producing McLean Artfest (formerly MPAartfest). MCC now produces the event in partnership with MPA, with MPA managing artist exhibitor applications, jury process, and artist relations. The organizations also collaborate on visual arts classes and programs.
• Art In Motion DanceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArt In Motion Dance provides dance instruction for various camps including Frozen Ballet Adventure Camp, Encanto Dance Camp, Fairytale Forest Unicorn Dance Camp, and Pre-Teen Dance Explosion Camp. Instructors deliver programming at MCC facilities.
• Mad ScienceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMad Science provides science-themed camps including Red Hot Robots, Flight Academy, Dinosaurs and Ancient Worlds, Secret Agent Lab, and Science in Motion. Programs focus on hands-on science education for children.
• Learn Now MusicminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLearn Now Music provides music instruction for Ultimate Music Camp, introducing campers to various musical instruments and concepts including guitar, violin, drums and more.
• Silver Knights Chess AcademyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSilver Knights Chess Academy provides chess instruction for Chess Camp, teaching children of all skill levels from beginners to national champions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington: Regional affiliate offering after-school, teen, and summer programs for youth across the DC metro. Comparable in mission-aligned youth and teen programming, particularly to MCC's Old Firehouse Teen Center and Camp McLean.
• JCC of Northern Virginia (JCCNV): Jewish Community Center in Fairfax offering classes, camps, teen programming, cultural events, and senior activities. Closest private-sector analogue to MCC's full-service, multi-age community-center model, with the caveat of faith-affiliated membership structure.
• Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts: Vienna, Virginia-based federal performing arts venue with year-round concerts and educational programming. Comparable in mission and live-performance focus, but operates at significantly larger scale and with national-park status.
• YMCA of Metropolitan Washington: Regional YMCA operating multiple family recreation, camp, and youth-serving facilities across the DC metro area. Comparable in delivering community-based recreational, youth, and camp programming to suburban families.

Regional players

• NextStop Theatre Company: Herndon, Virginia-based professional theatre company producing live performances in Northern Virginia. Comparable as a regional performing-arts competitor drawing from the same suburban audience pool MCC serves.
• 1st Stage Theatre: Northern Virginia professional theater company operating a performance venue in Fairfax County. Comparable in performing-arts programming that competes with the Alden Theatre for theatre-goers in the same region.

Direct peers

• The Center at Belvedere: Charlottesville-area performing arts and community center combining a theater venue, art galleries, and community programming. Closely comparable in the cultural/community-center hybrid model MCC operates through the Alden Theatre.
• Reston Community Center: Fairfax County-operated community center serving the Reston tax district with the same mix of classes, camps, theatre, teen programs, and community events as MCC. Operates the CenterStage performing arts venue and is structurally the most directly comparable peer in the same county.
• Providence Community Center: Another Fairfax County community center providing recreational, educational, and cultural programming funded through a small tax district. Closely mirrors MCC's funding model, governance structure, and program breadth within the same county.
• James Lee Community Center: Falls Church (Fairfax County) community center offering classes, camps, and special events to its district residents. Comparable public-tax-district operating model and similar age-segmented programming approach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mcleancenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/Mcleanvacenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/mcleancenterva
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mcleancommunitycenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mclean Community Center