Urban Adventure Squad is proud to partner with Friends of the National Arboretum and Washington Youth Garden
for our programs Aug. 8-12 and Aug. 15-19 at the Washington Youth Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum. This beautiful and historic green space is where we will spend our days hiking, exploring, learning, picnicking, and playing outdoors as part of our "Investigating Life on the Anacostia River" programs.
August 8-12 Investigating Life Along the Anacostia River: Our Water, Our Land
WHO: rising 2nd-rising 8th grade students *This program is full and waitlisted
WHEN: 9:00am-4:00pm
WHERE: Washington Youth Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
COST: $400 per student per week, $100 nonrefundable deposit (15% sibling discount)
No-questions-asked scholarships can be selected during registration.
August 15-19 Investigating Life Along the Anacostia River: Protecting Wildlife in a Changing World
Squad members explore how human behavior contributes to climate change
and how we can impact local food webs along the Anacostia River.
WHO: rising 2nd-rising 8th grade students *This program is full and waitlisted
WHEN: 9:00am-4:00pm
WHERE: Washington Youth Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
COST: $400 per student per week, $100 nonrefundable deposit (15% sibling discount)
No-questions-asked scholarships can be selected during registration.
EQUITY AND FAIR PROCESS.
We strive to make our processes as smooth and fair as possible. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis; families are not judged on their ability to pay. Equitable outdoor learning is important to UAS, so as part of our registration process, families can select no-questions-asked scholarships. We do not ask for financial documentation or make families wait for approval. Some families use scholarships all the time, while others pay for programs sometimes and use scholarships other times. The benefits of playing, hiking, and learning outdoors can be life changing and we want all families to have access to the joy of outdoor learning.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Washington Youth Garden is providing us with:
OUTDOOR MASKS NOW OPTIONAL
Effective immediately, the Squad is making masks optional--outdoors only--for programs that we host. We will remain fully masked during the indoor portions of our programs, with no exceptions. We request that all participants wear a KN95 or surgical mask for all indoor time. The Squad will provide these to any child who doesn’t have them.
We expect that we will continue to remain masked indoors through the summer, and that, unless local and state guidance on outdoor masking changes, we will continue to make masks optional when we are outdoors.
If this decision affects your ability to participate in future UAS programs, please notify us no later than Tuesday, April 5. If you paid a program fee, we can offer a full refund, and if you accessed a scholarship, we will offer your spot to another family. We are unable to offer any refunds for this reason after Tuesday, April 5.
Consistent with the DC vaccine requirement for students, which begins on March 1, 2022, UAS will require proof of full vaccination for students in our spring break and summer programs.
You can read through our COVID-19 Precautions and Protocol webpage, and if you still have questions, please do not hesitate to email us, info@urbanadventuresquad.org.
for our programs Aug. 8-12 and Aug. 15-19 at the Washington Youth Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum. This beautiful and historic green space is where we will spend our days hiking, exploring, learning, picnicking, and playing outdoors as part of our "Investigating Life on the Anacostia River" programs.
August 8-12 Investigating Life Along the Anacostia River: Our Water, Our Land
WHO: rising 2nd-rising 8th grade students *This program is full and waitlisted
WHEN: 9:00am-4:00pm
WHERE: Washington Youth Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
COST: $400 per student per week, $100 nonrefundable deposit (15% sibling discount)
No-questions-asked scholarships can be selected during registration.
August 15-19 Investigating Life Along the Anacostia River: Protecting Wildlife in a Changing World
Squad members explore how human behavior contributes to climate change
and how we can impact local food webs along the Anacostia River.
WHO: rising 2nd-rising 8th grade students *This program is full and waitlisted
WHEN: 9:00am-4:00pm
WHERE: Washington Youth Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
COST: $400 per student per week, $100 nonrefundable deposit (15% sibling discount)
No-questions-asked scholarships can be selected during registration.
EQUITY AND FAIR PROCESS.
We strive to make our processes as smooth and fair as possible. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis; families are not judged on their ability to pay. Equitable outdoor learning is important to UAS, so as part of our registration process, families can select no-questions-asked scholarships. We do not ask for financial documentation or make families wait for approval. Some families use scholarships all the time, while others pay for programs sometimes and use scholarships other times. The benefits of playing, hiking, and learning outdoors can be life changing and we want all families to have access to the joy of outdoor learning.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Washington Youth Garden is providing us with:
- a dropoff and pickup location,
- bathroom access (this is the only time we will be indoors unless there is a weather or other kind of emergency where we need to seek shelter),
- access to the Washington Youth Garden and U.S. National Arboretum grounds,
- emergency shelter if needed; this means in the event of lightning, air quality warnings, or another emergency, we'll be able to seek shelter inside for small amounts of time. Programs may be shortened or canceled due to inclement weather.
OUTDOOR MASKS NOW OPTIONAL
Effective immediately, the Squad is making masks optional--outdoors only--for programs that we host. We will remain fully masked during the indoor portions of our programs, with no exceptions. We request that all participants wear a KN95 or surgical mask for all indoor time. The Squad will provide these to any child who doesn’t have them.
We expect that we will continue to remain masked indoors through the summer, and that, unless local and state guidance on outdoor masking changes, we will continue to make masks optional when we are outdoors.
If this decision affects your ability to participate in future UAS programs, please notify us no later than Tuesday, April 5. If you paid a program fee, we can offer a full refund, and if you accessed a scholarship, we will offer your spot to another family. We are unable to offer any refunds for this reason after Tuesday, April 5.
Consistent with the DC vaccine requirement for students, which begins on March 1, 2022, UAS will require proof of full vaccination for students in our spring break and summer programs.
You can read through our COVID-19 Precautions and Protocol webpage, and if you still have questions, please do not hesitate to email us, info@urbanadventuresquad.org.
WHAT WILL MY CHILD BE DOING EACH DAY?
Every day of our Squad program at the U.S. National Arboretum will include hiking, playing, exploring, and creating.
Investigating Life Along the Anacostia River: Our Water, Our Land
The driving question for our Aug. 8-12 outdoor learning adventure is: How does land use near our homes affect soil nutrition, pollination patterns, and water quality in the Anacostia Rivershed?
Squad members will:
- Test water quality at Hickey Run, a historically polluted tributary of the Anacostia River;
- Test soil quality in Washington Youth Garden and at Springhouse Run, a tributary of the Anacostia River that, in 2017, underwent integrated watershed-based restoration that restored pools, riffles, and included the replanting of thousands of native plants;
- Analyze local data on soil nutrition, pollination patterns, and water quality, and compare how they relate to global data and patterns;
- Harvest seasonal produce in Washington Youth Garden;
- Weed and care for the plants in Washington Youth Garden;
- Go on a boat ride on the Anacostia River with Anacostia Watershed Society to witness local species in action;
- Go birding in the National Arboretum to practice species identification and make connections to pollination patterns; and
- Design and complete a student-led project at the National Arboretum with a focus on how human activity impacts the Anacostia River watershed and, more broadly, the global environment.
Investigating Life Along the Anacostia River: Protecting Wildlife in a Changing World
The driving question for our Aug. 15-19 outdoor learning adventure is: How does human behavior that contributes to climate change impact local food webs along the Anacostia River?
Squad members will:
- Observe and learn about efforts to improve water quality firsthand during a boat ride or canoe trip on the Anacostia River;
- Practice species identification and citizen science by birding at the National Arboretum with local expert and guest educator Steve Dryden of Rock Creek Songbirds;
- Use data collected to construct an Anacostia River ecosystem food web;
- Go on a boat ride on the Anacostia River with Anacostia Watershed Society to witness local species in action; and
- Design and complete a student-led project at the National Arboretum that focuses on how anthropogenic climate change impacts nutrient cycling in the Anacostia River watershed.
At Urban Adventure Squad, we strongly believe that outdoor learning is an essential part of a child’s physical, social, mental, and emotional growth. Squad members--who come from over 80 schools in the Washington area--explore the natural world, build confidence in themselves, make new friends, discover new passions, become environmental advocates, and connect with their communities. See examples of what we've been doing in our weekday programs all school-year by checking us out on instagram, facebook, and twitter @UrbanAdvSquad, or visiting our Outdoor Programs webpage. All travel will be done on foot. We are not taking Metrobus or Metrorail this summer.
HOW TO REGISTER
1. CREATE AN ACCOUNT
If you are new to UAS, you should prepare ahead of time by creating a new account in our registration system,
which is powered by UltraCamp.
Please note: Now that we're in a new calendar year, our registration system asks for your student's grade "in fall of 2022." Summer registration generally goes by the "rising" grade, or the student's grade in fall of the next school year. When asked for your child's grade in fall of 2022, you would (for example) select 4th grade for your current 3rd grade student. This would let the system know they are currently in 3rd grade and UltraCamp will automatically graduate them in June to 4th grade.
2. CLICK MAKE A RESERVATION
3. SCROLL DOWN AND SELECT THE SESSION OF YOUR CHOICE
COST AND REFUND POLICY. $100 of your program fee is nonrefundable. We can issue a refund or accept cancellations until Friday, April 1. After April 1, refunds will be issued only if a household member has tested positive for COVID-19. With a doctor's note, we will issue your refund for the week. If UAS must cancel the entire week due to extreme weather or staff illness, we will offer the option for a credit on your account or a refund.
WAITING LISTS. We are opening just a few spaces for each grade level, totaling 21-28 students in each program, so we can split students by age into smaller groups of about 7-8 per educator. If a session you're interested in is full, there is an option to add your student to the waiting list. You can add your child to the waiting list by scrolling past "Available programs" down to the bottom of the page. Select the waiting list you'd like to be added to. If space becomes available, you'll receive an email offering you a spot, which will be held for just 48 hours. We prioritize siblings so that all siblings from a family can get into the program. We'll do our best to expand these programs where we can. Please be sure to check your spam filters. Emails often land in them, and we can't be responsible for emails that land in spam folders.
PREFERRED PAIRINGS. We will do our best to place siblings and friends in the same group whenever possible. If you'd like to request a pairing, please email us when you register to notify us of your request. Click here to email us.
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS. If there is relentless rain and lightning throughout all or part of the day, we may have to shorten or cancel that day's program. We will only use the indoor emergency shelter for brief periods during the day. We will not spend an entire day indoors.
WHAT TO BRING. We will send an email with program details about a week ahead of each program. Most important is a well-fitting mask. The mask should cover your Squad member's nose and mouth and fit the contours of their face. Squad leaders will carry kid-sized disposable medical masks if needed in a pinch.
Squad members should bring a comfortable backpack packed with a lunch and snacks, as well as a large water bottle to keep your Squad member hydrated. We do not recommend drawstring backpacks--the strings can create rope burn on exposed shoulders and even through t-shirts. We provide morning and afternoon snacks.
We recommend light, breathable layers in the spring and summer. Light color layers and tall socks help for tick prevention. For UAS tick protocol, click here. A hat and comfortable hiking shoes are a must! NO CROCS OR FLIP FLOPS. Please send your Squad member in the morning with a base layer or sunscreen and insect repellent. We'll remind Squad members to reapply throughout the day. If it's a rainy day, a waterproof layer or poncho is helpful. UAS educators are well stocked with supplies to keep Squad members safe, dry, and cool thanks to our wonderful Squad community who purchases these supplies from our amazon wish list and donates other items. This means we have things like disposable ponchos, disposable kid-sized medical masks, and extra socks.
To meet our team of educators, head over to our Staff Bios page. All UAS educators are fully vaccinated and boosted, and will wear masks during these programs.
For more information about Urban Adventure Squad, follow us on social media: @UrbanAdvSquad on twitter, instagram, and facebook, or email us at info@urbanadventuresquad.org.
WAITING LISTS. We are opening just a few spaces for each grade level, totaling 21-28 students in each program, so we can split students by age into smaller groups of about 7-8 per educator. If a session you're interested in is full, there is an option to add your student to the waiting list. You can add your child to the waiting list by scrolling past "Available programs" down to the bottom of the page. Select the waiting list you'd like to be added to. If space becomes available, you'll receive an email offering you a spot, which will be held for just 48 hours. We prioritize siblings so that all siblings from a family can get into the program. We'll do our best to expand these programs where we can. Please be sure to check your spam filters. Emails often land in them, and we can't be responsible for emails that land in spam folders.
PREFERRED PAIRINGS. We will do our best to place siblings and friends in the same group whenever possible. If you'd like to request a pairing, please email us when you register to notify us of your request. Click here to email us.
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS. If there is relentless rain and lightning throughout all or part of the day, we may have to shorten or cancel that day's program. We will only use the indoor emergency shelter for brief periods during the day. We will not spend an entire day indoors.
WHAT TO BRING. We will send an email with program details about a week ahead of each program. Most important is a well-fitting mask. The mask should cover your Squad member's nose and mouth and fit the contours of their face. Squad leaders will carry kid-sized disposable medical masks if needed in a pinch.
Squad members should bring a comfortable backpack packed with a lunch and snacks, as well as a large water bottle to keep your Squad member hydrated. We do not recommend drawstring backpacks--the strings can create rope burn on exposed shoulders and even through t-shirts. We provide morning and afternoon snacks.
We recommend light, breathable layers in the spring and summer. Light color layers and tall socks help for tick prevention. For UAS tick protocol, click here. A hat and comfortable hiking shoes are a must! NO CROCS OR FLIP FLOPS. Please send your Squad member in the morning with a base layer or sunscreen and insect repellent. We'll remind Squad members to reapply throughout the day. If it's a rainy day, a waterproof layer or poncho is helpful. UAS educators are well stocked with supplies to keep Squad members safe, dry, and cool thanks to our wonderful Squad community who purchases these supplies from our amazon wish list and donates other items. This means we have things like disposable ponchos, disposable kid-sized medical masks, and extra socks.
To meet our team of educators, head over to our Staff Bios page. All UAS educators are fully vaccinated and boosted, and will wear masks during these programs.
For more information about Urban Adventure Squad, follow us on social media: @UrbanAdvSquad on twitter, instagram, and facebook, or email us at info@urbanadventuresquad.org.