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 equitable, curriculum-aligned, outdoor learning to schools and communities in every D.C. ward. Urban Adventure Squad receives funding from a variety of agencies and organizations, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), National Geographic, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the National Recreation Foundation, and is a proud education partner to many DC schools and nonprofits. In 2023, Casey Trees honored Urban Adventure Squad with its Canopy Award for Education.
Before starting the Squad, 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 was a member of the Exhibit Advisory Team for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History's "Our Places: Connecting People & Nature," which featured 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 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.
Today, Elana oversees the organization's efforts to support students and teachers by bringing equitable, curriculum-aligned, outdoor learning to schools and communities in every D.C. ward. Urban Adventure Squad receives funding from a variety of agencies and organizations, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), National Geographic, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the National Recreation Foundation, and is a proud education partner to many DC schools and nonprofits. In 2023, Casey Trees honored Urban Adventure Squad with its Canopy Award for Education.
Before starting the Squad, 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 was a member of the Exhibit Advisory Team for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History's "Our Places: Connecting People & Nature," which featured 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 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 maintains her DC Master Naturalist certification, participated in the National Geographic Reimagined Educator Certification pilot program in 2022, and completed the Project WILD training in 2021. Christy is a certified IGNITE Barre Instructor, Cherry Blossom 10-mile 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 maintains her DC Master Naturalist certification, participated in the National Geographic Reimagined Educator Certification pilot program in 2022, and completed the Project WILD training in 2021. Christy is a certified IGNITE Barre Instructor, Cherry Blossom 10-mile runner, cat mom, baking enthusiast, and avid podcast listener. Podcast recommendation for kids: The classroom-friendly "Smologies" episodes of "Ologies with Alie Ward."
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. 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. Through a collaboration with the Smithsonian and UAS, Randi is currently a facilitator for Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum’s Environmental Justice Academy.
Janiah Leslie, Squad leader/Program Educator, Part-Time. Janiah is a junior at Howard University studying Psychology, with a minor in Communications. She loves to see others smiling and having a good time and will do her best to ensure those smiles stay. She began working with kids early on, as one of her first jobs was at a girls summer camp that focused on building young girls’ confidence. Janiah is very passionate about giving children the tools they need to better understand and manage their emotions, prioritize mental health, and maintain positive growth. Through UAS, Janiah is currently a facilitator for Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum’s Environmental Justice Academy. She loves sunny days, trees, flowers, and spending as much time outside as possible, and is most looking forward to exploring DC, meeting new faces, and helping to ensure Squad members have the best experience possible at UAS. She is a mandated reporter & is certified in First Aid, CPR, and EpiPen administration.