Urban Adventure Squad (UAS) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit education organization. We support schools and school communities with neighborhood-based, hands-on learning programs that focus on the outdoors. We offer full-day programs during out-of-school time, like on professional development days and federal holidays, as well as during school breaks. We also partner with schools, other non-profit organizations, and communities to connect students to their neighborhoods with curriculum-aligned activities relating to science, history, math, art, engineering, and writing, and to train teachers in outdoor learning.
We use the city as a classroom and explore local communities and green spaces. All programs include hiking. Our SY 23-24 full day programs are for students in grades 1-5 and run from 8:45am-4:00pm. We do not yet have the capacity to offer before or after care.
Middle School: If we have staff capacity, we will offer special half-day programs for middle schoolers. Stay tuned for special program announcements via our e-newsletter and social media.
What does outdoor learning look like? Click here to find out!
Scroll down for our schedule of programs.
HOW TO REGISTER
Returning families: CLICK HERE for our UltraCamp registration site
To register, you will need to: create a new account or log into your existing account.
This link takes you to our registration site, which is powered by UltraCamp:
You'll receive an email a few days before the program with more information, including what to pack.
Click here to read more about program logistics and what to pack.
Returning families: CLICK HERE for our UltraCamp registration site
To register, you will need to: create a new account or log into your existing account.
This link takes you to our registration site, which is powered by UltraCamp:
- Returning users can access their accounts to register for additional programs, or make account changes.
- First-time users must create an account (this is required for registration for all UAS programs).
You'll receive an email a few days before the program with more information, including what to pack.
Click here to read more about program logistics and what to pack.
WINTER and SPRING 2025
We require a minimum of 15 registered students two weeks ahead of a program in order to run that program. If we have to cancel due to under-enrollment, we will issue full refunds to all registered families.
Registration closes a week ahead of each program unless otherwise indicated. Space is limited.
Registration opens Tues., Dec. 17th, at 8pm
Fri., January 17 (PD Day)
Squad Scavenger Hunt: Embassy Row!
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Mon., January 27 (End of Term)
Watershed Protectors: Litter Cleanup and Trash Audit
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Christ Lutheran Church, 5101 16th St. NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Fri., February 14 (PD Day)
Neighborhood History: Dumbarton Oaks and Montrose Park
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Thurs., March 13 (Conference Day)
Where Does the Water Flow? A Local Stream Study
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Christ Lutheran Church, 5101 16th St. NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Fri., March 14 (No school)
Share Your Voice!: A Squad Zine Workshop
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Christ Lutheran Church, 5101 16th St. NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Mon., April 7 (End of Term)
Fly Into Spring: Migratory Bird Adventure
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
5-DAY SPRING BREAK PROGRAM
April 14-18
Mapmaking and Fiber Crafts
This program gives priority to students who live or go to school in Ward 7.
Grades 1-5
8:45am-3:00pm
Location: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
$440 program fee
$110 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Please note: Registration for spring break closes two weeks ahead of the program, on March 31.
At Urban Adventure Squad, we believe every child should have access to the joy of outdoor learning. It is our mission to make outdoor learning more equitable in Washington, D.C. If you need additional scholarship support, please email Urban Adventure Squad at [email protected], subject line, "Full scholarship request."
We require a minimum of 15 registered students two weeks ahead of a program in order to run that program. If we have to cancel due to under-enrollment, we will issue full refunds to all registered families.
Registration closes a week ahead of each program unless otherwise indicated. Space is limited.
Registration opens Tues., Dec. 17th, at 8pm
Fri., January 17 (PD Day)
Squad Scavenger Hunt: Embassy Row!
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Mon., January 27 (End of Term)
Watershed Protectors: Litter Cleanup and Trash Audit
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Christ Lutheran Church, 5101 16th St. NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Fri., February 14 (PD Day)
Neighborhood History: Dumbarton Oaks and Montrose Park
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Thurs., March 13 (Conference Day)
Where Does the Water Flow? A Local Stream Study
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Christ Lutheran Church, 5101 16th St. NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Fri., March 14 (No school)
Share Your Voice!: A Squad Zine Workshop
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Christ Lutheran Church, 5101 16th St. NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Mon., April 7 (End of Term)
Fly Into Spring: Migratory Bird Adventure
Grades 1-5
8:45am-4:00pm
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
$88 program fee
$22 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
5-DAY SPRING BREAK PROGRAM
April 14-18
Mapmaking and Fiber Crafts
This program gives priority to students who live or go to school in Ward 7.
Grades 1-5
8:45am-3:00pm
Location: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
$440 program fee
$110 scholarship rate (select this option while registering, there is no application or paperwork)
+15% sibling discount for both options
Please note: Registration for spring break closes two weeks ahead of the program, on March 31.
At Urban Adventure Squad, we believe every child should have access to the joy of outdoor learning. It is our mission to make outdoor learning more equitable in Washington, D.C. If you need additional scholarship support, please email Urban Adventure Squad at [email protected], subject line, "Full scholarship request."
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 a scholarship rate. 15% sibling discount applies to the regular and scholarship rates. We do not ask for financial documentation or make families wait for approval. The benefits of playing, hiking, and learning outdoors can be life changing and we want families across the city to have access to the joy of outdoor learning.
WAITING LISTS. We will run 2-3 simultaneous groups per program, with a total of about 24-30 spots available for students in grades 1st-5th grade. If a program you're interested in is full, there is an option to add your student to the waiting list in UltraCamp. If space becomes available, you'll receive an email offering you a spot, which will be held for just 48 hours. We will prioritize getting waitlisted siblings into a program their sibling is already registered for. 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.
REFUND POLICY. Last-minute canceled spots are difficult to fill, even when our programs have waitlists. We plan our programs carefully so our student-to-educator ratio stays strong and we can learn and explore safely outdoors. UAS can offer a full refund up to one week before a school year program unless otherwise indicated. If you need to cancel your reservation less than a week before a program, UAS can credit the amount to your UltraCamp account to use toward a future program.
If it's more than a week ahead of a program: Registration is still open and you can login and cancel your child's reservation, resulting in a credit on your account. Please email us if you'd like to get a refund instead of a credit.
PREFERRED PAIRINGS. We will do our best to place siblings and friends in the same group of a session whenever possible. Generally, we place students in groups by age/grade level. Please email us at least one day ahead of a session to notify us of your request.
WEATHER-RELATED CANCELLATIONS. These programs are mostly outdoors, but we always have an indoor space available through our community partners. On occasion, we may need to cancel or shorten the day in case of poor air quality, heavy or freezing rain, or dangerous winds. We will notify you by email and on our social media (@UrbanAdvSquad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) at least one hour ahead of a program if we're making any changes. We will not cancel for light rain or snow. If a program your student is registered for gets cancelled--due to weather or if UAS is understaffed due to illness or injury--your family has the option for a full refund, a credit toward a future program, or to donate your program fees to support UAS.
