Elana Mintz, Executive Director. Elana is the founder and executive director of Urban Adventure Squad/Urban Learning and Teaching Center, a nonprofit, 501(c)3, education organization based in Washington, DC. She launched UAS in 2014 to support families when schools were closed, so that parents/guardians could go to work and children could learn about environmental science, history, the arts, engineering, and much more while they explored neighborhoods, greenspaces, and waterways. Today, Elana oversees the organization's efforts to support students and teachers by bringing curriculum-aligned, equitable outdoor learning to schools and green spaces in every D.C. ward.
In 2018, Urban Adventure Squad was awarded its first grant: a $20,000 Community Stormwater Solutions Grant from the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to develop and implement a curriculum for K-5th grades on "D.C.'s Hidden Waterways." Since then, the organization has won grants to support its work in DC public and public charter schools across the city, including from Learn24/the Office of the (DC) Deputy Mayor for Education, DOEE, National Geographic, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Kars4Kids, and the Nora Roberts Foundation.
In 2021, Urban Adventure Squad was named a pilot grantee for a DOEE Nature Near Schools grant for its project, "Reimagining the Field Trip: Meaningful Watershed Education Starts in Your Neighborhood," an outdoor learning initiative in partnership with three DC schools. DOEE has renewed and expanded this funding, which will allow the Squad to reach more schools, students, and educators in school year 2022-23.
Elana spent over 20 years in editorial and communications positions at CNA, the Brookings Institution, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and Congressional Quarterly. She serves on the DC Coalition for Equitable Outdoor Education, and is a member of the Exhibit Advisory Team for "Our Places: Connecting People & Nature," which opens July 1, 2022, at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and includes Urban Adventure Squad's story. Her opinion pieces, with co-authors Doug Siglin and Emily Gasoi, have been published in the Washington Post and the DC Line, and she was recently interviewed for the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum's Urban Waterways/Women's Environmental Leadership project. Elana lives with her family in Aspen Hill, MD, and she loves a good walk.
In 2018, Urban Adventure Squad was awarded its first grant: a $20,000 Community Stormwater Solutions Grant from the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to develop and implement a curriculum for K-5th grades on "D.C.'s Hidden Waterways." Since then, the organization has won grants to support its work in DC public and public charter schools across the city, including from Learn24/the Office of the (DC) Deputy Mayor for Education, DOEE, National Geographic, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Kars4Kids, and the Nora Roberts Foundation.
In 2021, Urban Adventure Squad was named a pilot grantee for a DOEE Nature Near Schools grant for its project, "Reimagining the Field Trip: Meaningful Watershed Education Starts in Your Neighborhood," an outdoor learning initiative in partnership with three DC schools. DOEE has renewed and expanded this funding, which will allow the Squad to reach more schools, students, and educators in school year 2022-23.
Elana spent over 20 years in editorial and communications positions at CNA, the Brookings Institution, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and Congressional Quarterly. She serves on the DC Coalition for Equitable Outdoor Education, and is a member of the Exhibit Advisory Team for "Our Places: Connecting People & Nature," which opens July 1, 2022, at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and includes Urban Adventure Squad's story. Her opinion pieces, with co-authors Doug Siglin and Emily Gasoi, have been published in the Washington Post and the DC Line, and she was recently interviewed for the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum's Urban Waterways/Women's Environmental Leadership project. Elana lives with her family in Aspen Hill, MD, and she loves a good walk.
Christy Brock, Director of Programming. Christy has been researching, developing curricula for, and leading UAS programs since 2013. She is the Squad’s best resource for magical, not-to-be-missed, family-friendly places in DC. A 2008 graduate of American University with a degree in literature, Christy has cared for and taught children since. Her favorite Squad adventures include discovering remnants of history in Rock Creek Park--like the site of the Blagden and Argyle mills, Pulpit Rock, and the Capitol stones--and showing children that exciting field trips can start right on the block where they live or go to school. She especially loves learning about trees, moss, and fungi, and hearing about the books Squad members are reading or their latest Dungeons and Dragons sessions.
Christy is certified in First Aid, CPR, EpiPen administration, and Youth Mental Health First Aid. She is a mandated reporter and has completed the Safe Shores Stewards of Children training. She is working toward her DC Master Naturalist certification, participated in National Geographic's Reimagined Educator Certification pilot program, and completed her Project WILD training,--a wildlife-based conservation and environmental education curriculum that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. She is a certified IGNITE Barre Instructor, Cherry Blossom 10-miler runner, cat mom, baking enthusiast, and avid podcast listener. Podcast recommendation for kids: The classroom-friendly "Smologies" episodes of "Ologies with Alie Ward."
Christy is certified in First Aid, CPR, EpiPen administration, and Youth Mental Health First Aid. She is a mandated reporter and has completed the Safe Shores Stewards of Children training. She is working toward her DC Master Naturalist certification, participated in National Geographic's Reimagined Educator Certification pilot program, and completed her Project WILD training,--a wildlife-based conservation and environmental education curriculum that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. She is a certified IGNITE Barre Instructor, Cherry Blossom 10-miler runner, cat mom, baking enthusiast, and avid podcast listener. Podcast recommendation for kids: The classroom-friendly "Smologies" episodes of "Ologies with Alie Ward."
Peter Merlo-Coyne, Deputy Director of Programming. Peter has a love for experiential learning, working with kids, and all things outside. He researches, develops, and leads UAS programs. Peter graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019 with a chemistry degree. Prior to Urban Adventure Squad, he worked at the University of Maryland Challenge Course, where he focused on bringing people of different backgrounds together based on shared experiences. In his spare time, Peter loves biking everywhere he can, rock climbing, cooking new foods, and doing the crossword. Peter is certified in First Aid, CPR, EpiPen administration, and Youth Mental Health First Aid. He is working toward his DC Master Naturalist certification and completed National Geographic's Reimagined Educator Certification pilot program.
Randi Jones, Squad leader/Program Educator, Full-Time. Randi is a native Washingtonian who graduated in 2021 with a B.A in Anthropology and African American studies from Temple University, where she was president of the University Anthropology Association. One of her first jobs in high school was at fellow DC-based, outdoor learning program Elements DC. This experience sparked an interest in outdoor learning and working with children that she is excited to explore at UAS this year. At Temple University's Special Collection Resource Center, Randi gained experience with archival research materials and during her Introduction to Research Methods class, she led a research project focusing on the Effects Of Gentrification On Food Insecurity. After participating in an archeological dig in Anguilla on the Wallblake Sugar Plantation, Randi transcribed slave records and collected data during an independent study. She also worked in communications and diversity awareness through volunteering as a Senior Diversity Peer Counselor in the Temple University Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy, and Leadership. Randi is certified in First Aid, CPR, and EpiPen administration as well as Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Janiah Leslie, Squad leader/Program Educator, Part-Time. Janiah is a sophomore at Howard University, studying Psychology. She loves to see others smiling and having a good time and will do her best to ensure those smiles stay. She picked up experience working with kids early on, as one of her first jobs was at an all girls summer camp which focused on building young girls’ confidence. Janiah is very passionate about giving children the tools they need to better understand and manage their emotions as well as mental health and positive growth. She loves sunny days, trees, flowers, and spending as much time outside as possible. Janiah is most looking forward to exploring DC, meeting new faces, and helping to ensure the children have the best experience possible at UAS. She is also currently working toward her certifications in First Aid, CPR, and EpiPen administration.