Category: OpenHouse

Fall Open House Sun. Oct. 19, 2025

Posted on by Colleen Levine

open house invite over a camp fire with fall colors around the pond.

You’re invited to come see us at the Outdoor Lab on Sunday, October 19, 10am to 2pm!

Bring your family to experience catch-and-release fishing, boating on the pond, visiting the creatures of the Animal Lab, hiking our new “Story Trail,” and more! Bring a picnic lunch and we’ll provide the s’mores fixings to roast around the camp fire.

Come meet the AOEA Board and learn more about what the Outdoor Lab provides APS students year-round. REGISTER TODAY. We look forward to seeing you on October 19!

And if you’re a repeat visitor and you’d like to volunteer to help us welcome other Arlington families, please sign up here. Thank you! 

September 2025 Lab Notes

Posted on by Colleen Levine

Back-to-School at the Outdoor Lab! In this month’s issue of Lab Notes:

students paddle the pontoon at the Outdoor Lab

  • School Year Kick-Off: We’re so excited that APS students are back at the Lab. Field trips started earlier this month and fifth grade overnights will begin in early October. In alignment with Virginia science education standards, Lab lesson plans are honed by Lab staff and classroom teachers together.
    • 3rd graders learn how seasonal changes affect both terrestrial and aquatic creatures as they examine habitats
    • 5th graders focus on geological features while hiking
    • 7th graders work on animal classifications, ecology and mapping while exploring the acreage
    • High schoolers map the terrain, test the water quality and participate in ecology “deep dives”
  • Fall Open House Sun. Oct. 19:
    Join us for our fall Open House on Sunday, October 19th from 10am – 2pm. Registration link will be posted soon! Bring your friends and family to hike, fish and eat s’mores. We also welcome volunteers to help show families around — please signup here if you can spare a few hours: Open House Volunteer Form.

  • Help Shape the Future of the Outdoor Lab!  As we move towards creating new learning facilities at the Outdoor Lab, we are forming an Environmental Education Advisory Committee to help review our current practices and inform our decisions moving forward. If you are an Outdoor Lab alum working in science or current or former educator, we would love to have you join us!

    To learn more, please contact vp@outdoorlab.org or fill out our Volunteer Interest Form

    Also…

  • Thank you to all who visited us at the Arlington County Fair and shared your memories of the Lab! We will share the stories collected in future issues of Lab Notes.
  • Legacy Planning: As you plan for your future, we hope that you will consider a gift in your estate plan to support of Arlington Outdoor Education Association. You can make a bequest in your will and/or make AOEA the beneficiary of your IRA or life insurance policy. For more information, please contact Colleen Levine at vp@outdoorlab.org.

Read it here: September 2025 Lab Notes newsletter

& Click here to Subscribe! 

Spring Open House - May 4th

Spring Open House – May 4th

Posted on by Tom Twomey
  • Hike our miles of trails
  • Boat and fish in the pond
  • Meet the animals in the Animal Lab
  • Explore our streams and meadows
  • and more! Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy with your family.

Registration is now open! Please RSVP here to reserve your spot.

We also need VOLUNTEERS to help first-timers navigate the Lab. If you’re willing to volunteer for a shift, please sign-up here. Thank you!

RESCHEDULED: Fall Open House Oct. 6 10a-2p

RESCHEDULED: Fall Open House Oct. 6 10a-2p

Posted on by AOEAwebmaster

Celebrate Fall at the Outdoor Lab Open House!

UPDATE! Our Fall Open House is rescheduled due to weather — please join us NEXT Sunday 10/6!

Due to the Rainy Weather this week and forecast for Sunday,

we have rescheduled the Fall Open House for

Sunday October 6th from 10a-2p

If you already registered your family and can come on October 6th

No further action is required

Your current registration is all you need.

If you already registered and you cannot come on Oct 6th

We’re sorry you’ll miss this time!

We’ll have another Open House in the Spring.

If you have not registered your family, we still have a few open spots for Oct 6th; please register below.


The Outdoor Lab Fall Open House is coming up on Sunday, September 29th from 10am-2pm. Bring the family and come see what the Outdoor Lab offers! Hike our trails, try out a canoe or fishing, and of course we’ll be roasting s’mores! We encourage families to bring a picnic lunch as well. Please Register Today to reserve your spot.
 
If you are interested in learning more about the  Arlington Outdoor Education Association (AOEA), or getting involved with our board of directors, Learn More here.

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.

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

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 

Open House- Sat May 15th 10a-4p*

Posted on by AOEAwebmaster

The Outdoor Lab Open House is scheduled for Sunday October 17th 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!)
  • 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 Oct 24th 10a-4p. 

We look forward to seeing you!  

Share your pictures and tag #LovetheODL 

May 16th- AOEA Annual Meeting

Posted on by AOEAwebmaster

Since we had to cancel our Spring Open House, when we normally have the AOEA annual meeting, we will now meet virtually on Saturday May 16th at 12 noon. 

If you are interested in participating, send an email to Arlingtonoutdoorlab@gmail.com and details will be provided. 

The primary agenda item will be the AOEA board elections – but we will also provide information about the “State of the Lab”.  Hope you can join us – stay safe and “keep the fires burning”.

Cancelled- Spring Open House

Posted on by AOEAwebmaster

Due to COVID-19 this event has been cancelled. Check back in Fall for the next Open House events.

The Outdoor Lab Open House is scheduled for Saturday May 16th 12-4pm.

Enjoy nature with your family as you hike the trails, try fishing in the pond, paddle a canoe, or visit with the animals in the Lab. We’ll have a cookout with hot dogs and smores or you can bring a picnic to enjoy. It’s fun for all ages and free for Arlington Families and friends.

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!

Consider carpooling with neighbors or friends to reduce your carbon footprint. Directions can be found here and parking info will be posted closer to the event.

In case of inclement weather, check back here for cancellations or updates.  An Open House Rain Date has been tentatively scheduled for Saturday May 30th 12-4pm.

We look forward to seeing you!