What is the Outdoor Lab?
The Phoebe Hall Knipling Outdoor Lab is a 311-acre facility that provides science and outdoor education to the students of Arlington County Public Schools. In this natural classroom, urban youth — often for the first time — can run in a meadow, climb a mountain, hike beside a stream, or fish in a pond. Up to six classes per week visit the Outdoor Lab, some overnight, and there are three week-long summer camps.
Each year, the Outdoor Lab provides hands-on outdoor and environmental education to more than 10,000 students, from elementary grades through high school.
The non-profit Arlington Outdoor Education Association (AOEA) owns the land and buildings and partners with Arlington Public Schools who provides the teachers, buses and science programming at the Outdoor Lab.
Here’s a video for the Outdoor Lab’s 50th anniversary produced by APS’s AETV Green Scenes.
Learn More about this unique educational resource:
- See what’s New at the Lab
- Learn about our Educational Programs
- Come to an Upcoming Events
Join the AOEA Board
The AOEA is an all volunteer, hands-on organization that keeps the Outdoor Lab available for Arlington students and families. We’re like the “PTA for the Outdoor Lab” and we need members of the APS and Arlington communities to step-up and help us keep this beloved experience available for years to come.
APS Parents, Students and community members can apply, learn more HERE.
Donate or Become a Friend
The Outdoor Lab is supported by a non-profit that needs your help. Please become a FRIEND or make a DONATION today! We’d love to talk with PTAs and community groups in Arlington about partnering with the Outdoor Lab.
How can I Support the ODL?
- Become a FRIEND
- Sign up for our Lab Notes
- Volunteer with the ODL
- Donate what you can
- Spread the Joy