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 and school 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 communtiies and green spaces. All programs include hiking. Our full day programs are for students in 1st-8th grade and run from 8:50am-4:00pm. We do not yet have the capacity to offer before or after care.
What does outdoor learning look like? Click here to find out!
Scroll down for our schedule of programs.
We use the city as a classroom and explore local communtiies and green spaces. All programs include hiking. Our full day programs are for students in 1st-8th grade and run from 8:50am-4:00pm. We do not yet have the capacity to offer before or after care.
What does outdoor learning look like? Click here to find out!
Scroll down for our schedule of programs.
COVID Protocol
Masks are optional outdoors, but everyone remains masked during the indoor portions of our programs.
We start and end our programs indoors. 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 require proof of full vaccination--a card showing at least two doses. We encourage boosters for all children who are eligible.
How to upload your child's vaccine card if you haven't already:
1. Log into your UltraCamp account: https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=996&campCode=lpa
2. Click the three bars to pull up the menu on the left-hand side of your screen
3. Click "My Account," then "Overview"
4. Under "Account Members," click your child's name
5. Click "Edit My Bio Information"
6. On that page, scroll all the way down until you see "COVID-19 VACCINE CARD"
7. Click browse and select the vaccine card photo from your computer to upload. Make sure the file format is an image file like .jpeg or .png, UltraCamp won't accept .pdf uploads.
8. Scroll to the bottom of the page and hit "SAVE"
9. You should get a green message saying "The action was completed successfully."
10. Do this for every child you have enrolled.
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.
Masks are optional outdoors, but everyone remains masked during the indoor portions of our programs.
We start and end our programs indoors. 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 require proof of full vaccination--a card showing at least two doses. We encourage boosters for all children who are eligible.
How to upload your child's vaccine card if you haven't already:
1. Log into your UltraCamp account: https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=996&campCode=lpa
2. Click the three bars to pull up the menu on the left-hand side of your screen
3. Click "My Account," then "Overview"
4. Under "Account Members," click your child's name
5. Click "Edit My Bio Information"
6. On that page, scroll all the way down until you see "COVID-19 VACCINE CARD"
7. Click browse and select the vaccine card photo from your computer to upload. Make sure the file format is an image file like .jpeg or .png, UltraCamp won't accept .pdf uploads.
8. Scroll to the bottom of the page and hit "SAVE"
9. You should get a green message saying "The action was completed successfully."
10. Do this for every child you have enrolled.
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:
- 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.
2023 PROGRAMS
Registration closes a week ahead of each program unless otherwise specified. You can cancel your registration and receive a full refund up to a week ahead of a schoolyear program. Cancellations made within a week of a program must be done by emailing us at info@urbanadventuresquad.org and we'll put a credit on your account to be used toward a future program.
FEBRUARY BREAK 4-DAY PROGRAM
Neighborhood History Detectives
Tues., February 21-Fri., February 24
Location: Casey Trees HQ, 3030 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017
Dropoff: 8:45-9:00am
Pickup: 3:55-4:00pm
Age range: 1st-8th grade
Price: $320
Scholarship rate: $80, available when you register
15% sibling discounts automatically apply to the regular rate and scholarship rate at checkout.
Thurs., March 9: DCPS Conference Day
Exploring an Old Growth Forest and Nature Embroidery
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
Dropoff: 8:45-9:00am
Pickup: 3:55-4:00pm
Age range: 1st-8th grade
Price: $80
Scholarship rate: $20, available when you register
15% sibling discounts automatically apply to the regular rate and scholarship rate at checkout.
Fri., March 10: DCPS Professional Development Day
Nature's Time Machine: Geology, Fossils, and Megafauna
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
Dropoff: 8:45-9:00am
Pickup: 3:55-4:00pm
Age range: 1st-8th grade
Price: $80
Scholarship rate: $20, available when you register
15% sibling discounts automatically apply to the regular rate and scholarship rate at checkout.
Mon., April 10: DCPS End of Term
Spring Ephemerals, Frogs, and Moss Investigation
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
Dropoff: 8:45-9:00am
Pickup: 3:55-4:00pm
Age range: 1st-8th grade
Price: $80
Scholarship rate: $20, available when you register
15% sibling discounts automatically apply to the regular rate and scholarship rate at checkout.
SPRING BREAK 5-DAY PROGRAM
Mon., April 17-Fri., April 21
*Our spring break program is for families whose children live or go to school in Ward 7.
This special Junior Ranger Adventure Squad program is made possible thanks to scholarship funding provided by Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens who are deeply invested in our Ward 7 neighborhood. This program is focused on tree science and the important role that trees play in our urban ecosystem.
Location: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave NE
Dropoff: 8:45-9:00am
Pickup: 2:55-3:00pm
Age range: 1st-8th grade Ward 7 students
Price: $435 per week
$108 per week scholarship rate
+15% sibling discount for both options
*Registration closes 2 weeks ahead of this program.
Read more about this special partnership--which includes a summer program--here on our Junior Ranger Adventure Squad page.
Registration closes a week ahead of each program unless otherwise specified. You can cancel your registration and receive a full refund up to a week ahead of a schoolyear program. Cancellations made within a week of a program must be done by emailing us at info@urbanadventuresquad.org and we'll put a credit on your account to be used toward a future program.
FEBRUARY BREAK 4-DAY PROGRAM
Neighborhood History Detectives
Tues., February 21-Fri., February 24
Location: Casey Trees HQ, 3030 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017
Dropoff: 8:45-9:00am
Pickup: 3:55-4:00pm
Age range: 1st-8th grade
Price: $320
Scholarship rate: $80, available when you register
15% sibling discounts automatically apply to the regular rate and scholarship rate at checkout.
Thurs., March 9: DCPS Conference Day
Exploring an Old Growth Forest and Nature Embroidery
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
Dropoff: 8:45-9:00am
Pickup: 3:55-4:00pm
Age range: 1st-8th grade
Price: $80
Scholarship rate: $20, available when you register
15% sibling discounts automatically apply to the regular rate and scholarship rate at checkout.
Fri., March 10: DCPS Professional Development Day
Nature's Time Machine: Geology, Fossils, and Megafauna
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
Dropoff: 8:45-9:00am
Pickup: 3:55-4:00pm
Age range: 1st-8th grade
Price: $80
Scholarship rate: $20, available when you register
15% sibling discounts automatically apply to the regular rate and scholarship rate at checkout.
Mon., April 10: DCPS End of Term
Spring Ephemerals, Frogs, and Moss Investigation
Location: Temple Micah, 2829 Wisconsin Ave NW
Dropoff: 8:45-9:00am
Pickup: 3:55-4:00pm
Age range: 1st-8th grade
Price: $80
Scholarship rate: $20, available when you register
15% sibling discounts automatically apply to the regular rate and scholarship rate at checkout.
SPRING BREAK 5-DAY PROGRAM
Mon., April 17-Fri., April 21
*Our spring break program is for families whose children live or go to school in Ward 7.
This special Junior Ranger Adventure Squad program is made possible thanks to scholarship funding provided by Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens who are deeply invested in our Ward 7 neighborhood. This program is focused on tree science and the important role that trees play in our urban ecosystem.
Location: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave NE
Dropoff: 8:45-9:00am
Pickup: 2:55-3:00pm
Age range: 1st-8th grade Ward 7 students
Price: $435 per week
$108 per week scholarship rate
+15% sibling discount for both options
*Registration closes 2 weeks ahead of this program.
Read more about this special partnership--which includes a summer program--here on our Junior Ranger Adventure Squad page.
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-8th 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.
PREFERRED PAIRINGS. We will do our best to place siblings and friends in the same group of a session whenever possible. Please email us at least one day ahead of a session to notify us of your request. Our groups are not cohorts or pods and may intermingle at certain points during the program.
WEATHER-RELATED CANCELLATIONS. These programs are mostly outdoors. This means we may need to cancel or shorten the day in case of heavy or freezing rain or lightning. 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.
