The Papa family had baseball down to a science. Mike coached, Liz handled concessions, Vincent and Gio played on their teams.
Then Vincent asked about golf lessons.The boys wanted to try competitive swimming. Everyone was curious about pickleball.
And life got more complicated.
"We were very busy before, but also had different things that we wanted to take on. We never really found the right spot to be able to make it easy enough to do consistently," Liz explains.
Finding quality programs meant driving to different facilities across town, coordinating separate schedules, and turning weekends into a transportation marathon.
"Vincent really showed an interest in golf, but we didn't really have a program that we were happy with where he could play and explore that interest," Liz recalls.
The boys swam in their backyard pool, but never took formal lessons or competed on teams. Mike and Liz wanted to dust off their tennis skills.
The Papas weren't trying to replace baseball. They just wanted to add to their family's athletic adventures. They needed one place where everyone could pursue their interests without constant shuffling between venues.
Somewhere that made saying "yes" to new activities actually possible.
Finding the Right Fit
When the Papas started thinking about joining a club, they had the same concerns most families have. Would their energetic boys feel comfortable? Would the atmosphere be too formal?
“So when we started to get a better understanding of the family vibe there, that really helped us to make our decision," Mike shares.
What they discovered surprised them. During their tour, they saw families everywhere. Kids ran between the pool and the pub. Parents chatted over lunch while their children headed to golf lessons. The formal dining room was there for special occasions.
"We felt comfortable, and we didn't really know what it was going to be like," Liz reflects. Different spaces for different moods—casual when needed, nicer when teaching the kids about dressing up for dinner.
"You can still be very social, humble, positive, and friendly in a country club setting," Liz adds. "I think it's kind of comforting."
Finding Community
A year into membership, the Papas measure success differently.
Yes, Vincent plays golf regularly now. Both boys joined the swim team. The family discovered pickleball together.
But something else happened along the way.
"I think it's brought us closer to the families that we did know already," Liz notes.
Those friends who first mentioned Brookside? Now they meet for dinner after swim practice or grab lunch between golf rounds.
Most importantly, having everything in one place brought their own family closer.
"All four of us go out and play pickleball, or all four of us go out to play golf," Liz explains. Even Gio, too young for golf, loves riding in the cart with his family.
The Papas found their rhythm. Swim practice leads to dinner at the pub. Saturday golf became a family tradition. Same active family, more options—and less driving.
"We've always been a very active family, and we really promote that," Liz reflects. "It's really just proven that we made the right decision by seeing them getting excited about going there."
One Year Later
The Papas still have four different schedules. Mike still coaches baseball. Liz still runs concessions.
But everything feels different.
"We feel like we have a sense of belonging, in a central spot where everybody has something fun to do," Liz says.
Vincent practices his swing with a consistent program. The boys swim competitively. The whole family plays pickleball together on weekends. Everything they wanted to try is now in one place.
For families wondering if they'll fit in, if their kids will be comfortable, if the investment makes sense with their busy lives, Liz has straightforward advice:
“If you're on the fence and you need somebody to talk to, I would say go for it."
The Papas found what they didn't know they were looking for: a place where four schedules could overlap, where new activities felt possible, where their kind of family felt at home.
Learn more about membership at Brookside and see if it might be the right fit for your family too.
