Posts by Mike Maleski

Volunteer @ the ODL Open House

Posted on by Mike Maleski

Help make the Outdoor Lab better than ever!  Celebrate EARTH DAY by volunteering at the Outdoor Lab Open House!

Come by yourself, grab your family or friends, or bring your group (Scouts, School Clubs, Garden Club, etc)

We still need volunteers for our Spring Open House Saturday April 22nd, EARTH DAY, 9a-4p.

No experience is necessary, but a love for nature and a desire to help others enjoy the Outdoor Lab is mandatory.

Please help us host various Arlington Families as they enjoy the Outdoor Lab.  We’ll have fishing, boating and hiking. We’ll also provide S’mores and families are welcome to bring a picnic.  A great way to earn community service hours!

We welcome VOLUNTEERS to come for part or all of the event. Help a bit and then explore and enjoy the ODL!

More Info and sign-up link here.

New Monarch Waystation @ ODL

Posted on by Mike Maleski

The AOEA and Outdoor Lab staff continually work to improve the eco-system as the Outdoor Lab.

Each year we focus on a few projects in which AOEA volunteers and ODL staff plant native species and remove non-natives.

For the Spring of 2023 planting season, we are targeting a garden area near our cottage where we have been removing invasive Japanese Stiltgrass.  We plan to replace the invasive stiltgrass with native plants to create a Monarch Waystation.

If you’d like to help us with this project, please contact our volunteer coordinator at [email protected].  This project will be on a weekend in Spring of 2023, date and time tbd.

Open House- Sun OCT 16 – 10a-4p

Posted on by Mike Maleski

The Outdoor Lab Open House is re-scheduled for Sunday October 16th 10a-1p and 1p-4p.  (We postponed from our original date due to Hurricane Ian)

The Outdoor Lab welcomes all Arlington Families to the Open House. Grab your “pod” and explore our 226 acres of mountain trails, meadows, streams and pond.  While at the Lab, your family can:

  • fish in the pond (cane poles & worms provided!)
  • hike our trails (over 5 miles, various hiking abilities)
  • observe critters in our Nature Center (admission in small groups)
  • find a perfect spot for a family picnic! (bring your lunch!)
Get your Tickets!

Due to COVID, we need families to pre-register through Eventbrite here.

  • Please choose EITHER 10a-1p ticket OR 1p-4p ticket (NOT BOTH) This will allow us to meet COVID limits and allow as many families as we can.
  • Each ticket is for one Carload. Please do NOT register for a ticket for each person in your car.
  • Tickets are “donate what you can.” The Outdoor Lab is owned by the non-profit Arlington Outdoor Education Association (a 501c3, tax exempt organization)
  • We will create a waitlist if needed, if your plans change and you don’t plan to come, please let us know

For the Safety of Visitors:

  • all visitors must sign in
  • NO Dogs allowed
  • please leave only footsteps and take only pictures
Other Info

While at the lab, talk to AOEA board members about the upcoming capital projects or how you could volunteer.  We’re looking for additional board members and have lots of great projects on our plate!

You can find Directions here, look for signs and volunteers on where to park.

Bad weather, check back here for cancellations or updates.  An Open House Rain Date has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday October 16th 10a-4p.

We look forward to seeing you!

Share your pictures and tag #LovetheODL

Staff changes @ the ODL

Posted on by Mike Maleski

Summer brought many changes to our Outdoor Lab staff.

The AOEA welcomes Rochelle Proctor as our new Outdoor Lab Coordinator and Tim Hymes as an instructional assistant.

We say a heartfelt farewell to Michele Karnbach and Charlie Resnik.

Yvonne Dangerfield had been named by the APS school board to become the Outdoor Lab Administrator, but she decided to retire after a long, successful career at APS.

The Arlington Outdoor Education Association (AOEA) and the Arlington County Public Schools (APS) are partners in the Outdoor Lab.  The Outdoor Lab is owned and maintained by the nonprofit Arlington Outdoor Education Association (AOEA).  The Outdoor Lab’s Educational Programs are designed and delivered by staff from Arlington Public Schools.

Open House- Sat May 21st 10a-4p*

Posted on by Mike Maleski

The Outdoor Lab Open House is REscheduled for Saturday May 21st 10a-1p OR 1p-4p.  

The Outdoor Lab welcomes all Arlington Families to the Open House. Grab your “pod” and explore our 226 acres of mountain trails, meadows, streams and pond.  While at the Lab, your family can: 

  • fish in the pond (cane poles & worms provided!)
  • paddle the boats
  • hike our trails (over 5 miles, various hiking abilities)
  • observe critters in our Nature Center (maybe pet a snake?)
  • find a perfect spot for a family picnic! (bring your lunch!
Get your Tickets!

Due to COVID, we need families to pre-register through Eventbrite here.

  • Please choose EITHER 10a-1p ticket OR 1p-4p ticket (NOT BOTH) This will allow us to meet COVID limits and allow as many families as we can.
  • Each ticket is for one Carload. Please do NOT register for a ticket for each person in your car.
  • Tickets are “donate what you can.” The Outdoor Lab is owned by the non-profit Arlington Outdoor Education Association (a 501c3, tax exempt organization)
  • We will create a waitlist if needed, if your plans change and you don’t plan to come, please let us know

For the Safety of Visitors:

  • all visitors must sign in
  • masks must be worn while inside and when social distancing is not possible
  • NO Dogs allowed
  • please leave only footsteps and take only pictures
Other Info

While at the lab, talk to AOEA board members about the upcoming capital projects or how you could volunteer.  We’re looking for additional board members and have lots of great projects on our plate! 

You can find Directions here, look for signs and volunteers on where to park.

Bad weather, check back here for cancellations or updates.  

We look forward to seeing you!  

Share your pictures and tag #LovetheODL

May 20th 4-8p Fundraiser OneMorePageBooks

Posted on by Mike Maleski

Outdoor Lab Fundraiser at One More Page Books

On Friday, May 20, 2022 – 4pm to 8pm

Shop Friday, May 20th between 4pm and 8pm to support the Outdoor Lab! One More Page Books will donate 15% of all sales during those hours – in person and online – to the Arlington Outdoor Education Association.  Meet a great local business and support the ODL.

Browse in person:
One More Page Books (2200 N Westmoreland St, Arlington, VA 22213)
Share with your Friends and Family and #lovetheodl

AAPI Heritage Month @ ODL

Posted on by Mike Maleski

This May, the Outdoor Lab and the AOEA celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

With staff and directors with AAPI heritage in our families, we’d like to honor all Asian American and Pacific Islander families, their contributions to science and education and the building of our nation.

In this time of violence against AAPI individuals and communities, we stand together with all who speak out against hate, bigotry, and exclusion.

Spring Hikes at ODL- Saturdays

Posted on by Mike Maleski

Come visit the Outdoor Lab with your Friends and Family this Spring.  (New Dates Added!)

Grab your “pod” and explore our 226 acres of mountain trails, meadows, streams and pond.

Here are the details:

  • Sign up before you come.  (Click HERE for our EventBrite Page)
    • Each sign-up slot admits one carload of people.
    • Sign-up slots for morning OR afternoon.  Check the date and time carefully!  (show up at any time during your morning or afternoon window.)
  • No pets!  Sorry!
  • Masks are required when in the bathrooms and when social distancing is difficult to maintain.
  • Protect the land by following the “leave no trace” philosophy. Dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, be considerate of other visitors, stay on trails, and respect wildlife
  • Release Form must be signed by all participants.  Find Release Forms HERE.  (Save time and fill out before you arrive.  We’ll have some on hand as well )
  • Check in with an AOEA volunteer before you get started.
  • Gates close at 4 pm sharp, don’t get locked in!

Every little bit helps!  To support the Outdoor Lab’s educational programs and help reach more Arlington students, a suggested donation of $20 per car is welcomed but not mandatory.  We can always use help collecting kindling, just leave neatly stacked by wood piles. (Thanks!)

So put on your hiking shoes, dress for the weather, and come and enjoy the beauty of The Outdoor Lab.

Directions can be found on our website.  Click Here for DIRECTIONS

Oct 17th OPEN HOUSE 10a-4p*

Posted on by Mike Maleski

The Outdoor Lab Open House is scheduled for Sunday October 17th 10a-1p and 1p-4p.  

The Outdoor Lab welcomes all Arlington Families to the Open House. Grab your “pod” and explore our 226 acres of mountain trails, meadows, streams and pond.  While at the Lab, your family can: 

  • fish in the pond (cane poles & worms provided!)
  • hike our trails (over 5 miles, various hiking abilities)
  • observe critters in our Nature Center (admission in small groups)
  • find a perfect spot for a family picnic! (bring your lunch!)
Get your Tickets!

Due to COVID, we need families to pre-register through Eventbrite here.

  • Please choose EITHER 10a-1p ticket OR 1p-4p ticket (NOT BOTH) This will allow us to meet COVID limits and allow as many families as we can.
  • Each ticket is for one Carload. Please do NOT register for a ticket for each person in your car.
  • Tickets are “donate what you can.” The Outdoor Lab is owned by the non-profit Arlington Outdoor Education Association (a 501c3, tax exempt organization)
  • We will create a waitlist if needed, if your plans change and you don’t plan to come, please let us know

For the Safety of Visitors:

  • all visitors must sign in
  • masks must be worn while inside and when social distancing is not possible
  • NO Dogs allowed
  • please leave only footsteps and take only pictures
Other Info

While at the lab, talk to AOEA board members about the upcoming capital projects or how you could volunteer.  We’re looking for additional board members and have lots of great projects on our plate! 

You can find Directions here, look for signs and volunteers on where to park.

Bad weather, check back here for cancellations or updates.  An Open House Rain Date has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday October 24th 10a-4p. 

We look forward to seeing you!  

Share your pictures and tag #LovetheODL