As youth sports and tutoring programs become increasingly expensive, a Poolesville High School senior is working to make both more accessible for local families. SmartPlay360, a free academic and athletic program founded by senior Oren Hurwitz, provides children in Montgomery County access to enrichment opportunities without the financial burden that often comes with traditional programs.
Across the United States, youth sports have become a significant financial commitment for many families. According to a Project Play survey, families spend an average of $883 per child each year on youth sports, which marks a 46% increase from 2019 . As registration fees, equipment, coaching, and travel costs add up quickly, organized sports are out of reach for many children.
Academic support carries similar costs. Private tutoring programs charge hourly rates between roughly $25 to $80 an hour, creating another barrier for families seeking extra academic support. Together, these expenses have contributed to growing gaps in access to both athletic and educational opportunities outside of school.
SmartPlay360 launched in the summer of 2025 and currently runs free community sessions at Quince Orchard High School, along with partnership-based sessions at local schools. The organization offers no-cost group sessions for children aged 5 to 13 that combine physical activity with academic instruction through movement-based learning. Rather than separating academics from athletics, the program blends the two into a single experience designed to keep students engaged while learning.
Hurwiz said the idea for SmartPlay360 was shaped by his own childhood experiences.
“I remember wanting to join a county flag football program when I was younger, but my family couldn’t afford it,” Hurwitz said. “That experience stayed with me and shaped how I wanted to design this program.”
Unlike traditional tutoring or private sports training, SmartPlay360 sessions are built around active participation. Students learn academic concepts while moving, playing, and working together. During a “Football x Math” session, students practiced identifying angles by running different football routes. In a “Basketball x Science” session, students applied Newton’s Laws of Motion through dribbling and shooting drills.
Hurwitz said this approach helps make learning feel less intimidating.
“When kids are moving, they’re more involved,” he said. “They’re learning without feeling like they’re being tested.”
To expand its reach, SmartPlay360 relies on partnerships with schools and youth organizations across Montgomery County. Will Shen, the organization’s development and partnerships manager, said these relationships allow the program to serve students in settings that are already familiar to families.
“Partnering with schools helps us reach students directly through environments they already trust,” Shen said. “It allows us to coach and teach kids without families needing to find or pay for outside programs.”
SmartPlay360 has partnered with organizations including Rise Hybrid Private Academy and Rachel Carson Elementary School. Through these partnerships, the program runs on-site sessions tailored to each school’s students. Shen said maintaining those partnerships is key to sustaining the program as it grows.
“Following each session, we stay connected with schools to see how else we can support their students,” he said.
Since launching, SmartPlay360 has served more than 60 students through community sessions. Hurwitz said his long-term goal is to expand the program to reach more families across Montgomery County while keeping free group programming at the center of the organization’s mission.
Parents interested in enrolling their children can join SmartPlay360’s mailing list through the organization’s website, SmartPlay360.com, where upcoming sessions and program updates are shared.
