Urban Adventure Squad (UAS) is a D.C.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit education organization. We support K-8 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.
Full Day Programs
Partnerships
Guide to Outdoor Learning
Urban Adventure Squad (UAS) is a D.C.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit education organization. We support K-8 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.
Full Day Programs
Partnerships
Guide to Outdoor Learning
What does outdoor learning look like?
We're glad you asked. With our beautiful local greenspaces as the setting, experienced UAS educators lead 1st-8th grade students in outdoor learning adventures identifying local native trees and calculating their age, engineering working water wheels after discovering remnants of the mills that used to line Rock Creek, finding numbers in nature with the Fibonacci sequence, mindfulness projects like creating labyrinths in nature, building dams to learn about beavers and their role as a keystone species in our city, learning about D.C.'s raptors including an owl pellet dissection, and exploring wilderness survival skills like orienteering, shelter building, knot tying, and making fires.
We're glad you asked. With our beautiful local greenspaces as the setting, experienced UAS educators lead 1st-8th grade students in outdoor learning adventures identifying local native trees and calculating their age, engineering working water wheels after discovering remnants of the mills that used to line Rock Creek, finding numbers in nature with the Fibonacci sequence, mindfulness projects like creating labyrinths in nature, building dams to learn about beavers and their role as a keystone species in our city, learning about D.C.'s raptors including an owl pellet dissection, and exploring wilderness survival skills like orienteering, shelter building, knot tying, and making fires.
Our programs provide students with opportunities to experience the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of outdoor education by engaging in 1) hands-on projects, including science experiments, litter cleanups, and engineering challenges, 2) trail and neighborhood hikes, 3) visits with local community educators, including chefs, artists, and environmental scientists who share their expertise, show children different career paths, and help children foster deeper connections to their neighborhoods. Our students, 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.
Our programs emphasize social-emotional support for students as well as movement and physical activity. We make time for plenty of games and conversation, and are ready to adapt our plan based on the needs of each particular group of Squad members. At UAS, we value equity in outdoor learning and offer a no-questions-asked full scholarship rate as part of the registration process.
Our programs emphasize social-emotional support for students as well as movement and physical activity. We make time for plenty of games and conversation, and are ready to adapt our plan based on the needs of each particular group of Squad members. At UAS, we value equity in outdoor learning and offer a no-questions-asked full scholarship rate as part of the registration process.
For specific questions or to inquire about partnering with your school or learning community, please email us.
To receive program announcements, Squad news, and community opportunities, join our email list.
For questions about what we do, why we do it, and how you can join the Squad as a participant or an employee, check out our About and FAQs pages.
To avoid more pressing tasks and learn fun facts about D.C.'s history, neighborhoods, urban farms, and the wonderful local businesses and organizations that we visit and learn from, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@UrbanAdvSquad).
To receive program announcements, Squad news, and community opportunities, join our email list.
For questions about what we do, why we do it, and how you can join the Squad as a participant or an employee, check out our About and FAQs pages.
To avoid more pressing tasks and learn fun facts about D.C.'s history, neighborhoods, urban farms, and the wonderful local businesses and organizations that we visit and learn from, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@UrbanAdvSquad).