Posts by Colleen Levine

March 2025 Lab Notes

Posted on by Colleen Levine

In this month’s issue of Lab Notes:

  • Spring Open House & Annual Meeting will be Sunday, May 4
  • Good News for the Outdoor Lab in APS proposed FY26 Budget
  • Applications for Student Board Member due March 31; Teens also needed for Summer Camp Counselor-in-Training
  • “I was in 4th or 5th grade and my group was walking up the Martin Trail and we came across an eastern rat snake and then there was a quick impromptu lesson about snakes and eastern rat snakes specifically. It was just a really cool opportunity made possible by the environment that we were in and the staff that were there leading us through it.”
    … and more Memories from the Lab!

high school volunteers at the animal lab

Read it here: March 2025 Lab Notes newsletter

& Click here to Subscribe! 

Opportunities for High School Students at the Arlington Outdoor Lab

Posted on by Colleen Levine
We frequently hear from high school students who fondly remember their 5th grade overnights or other field trips to the Outdoor Lab and are interested in returning to this beloved place. We have several opportunities to welcome high school students (and their families) back to the Lab!
  • Student Board Members: Each spring we elect a rising junior or senior as a student Board Member for a one-year term to represent APS students on the Board of Directors of the AOEA, the non-profit that owns and supports the Outdoor Lab; applications for the upcoming school year are due March 31.
  • Summer Camp Counselors-in-Training/Junior Staff: APS conducts three weeks of overnight summer camp, June 23-27, July 7-11 and July 14-18. Current students in grades 9 through 11 are invited to apply for a volunteer CIT/junior staff position; applications are due Fri., March 28.
  • Volunteer: Students can earn volunteer hours at our Spring (May 4) and Fall (tbd) Open Houses or at other volunteer work days throughout the year; please sign up here to hear about upcoming volunteer needs.
We are also happy to speak with any students interested in creating a senior experience working with the AOEA — and welcome parents to join the Board of Directors as well. Visit our Board page for more info or reach out to [email protected].

Outdoor Lab Featured in Arlington Community Foundation Holiday Wish Catalog

Posted on by Colleen Levine

Arlington Outdoor Education Association is pleased to again be included in the Arlington Community Foundation’s 2024 Holiday Wish Catalog.

 

Through this opportunity, we wish to raise $5,000 to support of our biodiversity efforts. With over 9,000 Arlington students visiting the Lab each year, land maintenance is vital for experiential learning. We are committed to ongoing land stewardship focused on removing invasives, like Japanese Stilt grass, and replenishing areas with native plants.

View our holiday wish details are here.

Come see us at the Arlington County Fair! Aug. 16-18

Posted on by Colleen Levine

Come see us at the Arlington County Fair this weekend! Take a break from the rides and find us in the indoor exhibit hall to meet a special animal guest and score Outdoor Lab merch.

Outdoor Lab exhibit table

Indoor Exhibit Hours, Aug. 16-18: Fri. 4pm – 10pm, Sat. 11am – 9pm, Sun. 11am – 7pm.

The Fair takes place at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and surrounding grounds, 3501 2nd Street S., Arlington. See you there!

Outdoor Lab Spring Open House April 20

Posted on by Colleen Levine

Celebrate Earth Day at the Outdoor Lab!

The Outdoor Lab Spring Open House is coming up on Saturday, April 20, 10am-2pm. Bring the family and come see what the Outdoor Lab offers! Register Today.
outdoor lab spring open house April 20
Volunteers are also needed — great opportunity for students to get those volunteer hours! Signup Here.
And if anyone is interested in getting more involved with the Arlington Outdoor Education Association (AOEA) to support this APS resource, we have openings for adult and student Board members; Learn More.