January 2026 Lab Notes

In this month’s issue of Lab Notes:

Winter at the Lab: Seventh-grade field trips started at the end of November and ran through mid-January. Students enjoyed being outside – despite the colder temperatures – and were excited to study ecology. They visited various learning stations set up at around the property, so they had a bit of freedom to explore on their own. Third grade and high school visits began mid-January, and fifth grade overnights will resume at the end of February.

Be on the lookout for APS Outdoor Lab staff at upcoming Science Nights at Long Branch, Science Focus, and Discovery elementary schools. We’d love to see you!

Recruiting Summer Camp Counselors: Plans for three weeks of 2026 Outdoor Lab Summer Camp are well under way. Camp for middle schoolers (current grade 6-8) will be the weeks of July 6th and 13th, and for elementary students (current grade 4-5) the week of July 20th. Camp registration opens March 6 here. Counselors (18+) and counselors-in-training (grades 9-12) are needed for each session and applications are available on the APS website here. Applications are due by March 27.

Meet ’25-26 Student Board Member Claire McArdle: Claire is a senior at Yorktown High School. She is on the track and field and swim teams, sings in choir, and is an APS Fine Arts Apprentice. She is committed to the Outdoor Lab experience because she believes it is extremely valuable for elementary school kids to learn about nature and the importance of conservation. …