ODL celebrates Black History Month

Posted on February 1, 2024February 14, 2024 by AOEAwebmaster

The Outdoor Lab Board and Staff celebrate Black History Month throughout February and the entire year.

We continue with our Cultural History Project to research, document, and share the stories of ALL the families who called the Pond and Biscuit Mountain Gap home. We continue to research African American families who worked and lived on Outdoor Lab and adjacent properties.

On a visit to the Afro-American History Association of Fauquier County, Outdoor Lab staff learned that part of the Underground Railroad went through our property. The oral history was that enslaved people escaping through Fauquier were told “Follow the Pine/Pond Mountains” to freedom. The map shows the path along the Bull Run Mountains (of which our Pond and Biscuit are a part) to safety with Quaker supporters in Waterford.

We continue to partner with other researchers, families and organizations as we progress with the Cultural History Project. Please check back to see our progress. If you have an interest in helping please contact [email protected].

Giving Tuesday- Support the Outdoor Lab!

Posted on November 28, 2023November 21, 2023 by Mike Maleski

We hope you will demonstrate your love for outdoor, hands-on STEM education at the Outdoor Lab.

Your gift today supports the conservation and stewardship of the 226-acre Outdoor Lab property and facilities.

Every year over 9,000 Arlington Public School students explore the natural environment and engage in science learning at the Outdoor Lab.

Donate Now

Thank you for your generosity.

Details

ODL Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

Posted on November 1, 2023March 1, 2024 by AOEAwebmaster

The Outdoor Lab staff and board celebrate Native American Heritage Month. We reflect on the great contributions of Native peoples to our Commonwealth and Country and strive to learn and tell their stories of achievement. The land of the Outdoor Lab was originally settled by Manahoac peoples, a Siouxan speaking tribal alliance, which descended from Mississippian mound building cultures. They originally inhabited the Ohio River valley region, with one group migrating east, sometimes called the Eastern Sioux, and another migrating West.

The Manahoac had little interaction with the English colonists in Jamestown and were shielded by the Powhatan confederacy on the coast and Tidewaters. In addition to diseases introduced by Spanish and English explorers, the Manahoac faced pressure from the Haudenosaunee confederacy (Six Nations of Iroquois) and Susquehannock tribes (Iroquoian speaking, also known as Conestoga) who raided their Piedmont homes. The Manahoac migrated South toward the related Monacan tribes and eventually merged with them and the Siouxan speaking Tutelo, Saponi, and Occaneechi.

What we have learned about the Manahoac culture comes from the few interactions documented by Europeans, often through translators from rival tribes, and their archaeological record. They were semi-nomadic and followed the animals they hunted including Deer, Bear, and Eastern Buffalo. They generally settled near streams and rivers and built palisaded villages with small round or oval dwellings covered with reeds and bark. They grew the Three Sisters of corn, squash and beans and managed their game lands by prescribed burning of forests.

In 1608, colonist John Smith explored up the Rappahannock river to its headwaters and documented various tribes and settlements of the Manahoac. Smith captured a wounded Manahoac warrior named Amorolec who told Smith about the tribes of the Manahoac, their enemies and related tribes who lived from the Fall Line up to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia’s rivers. The Whonkentia were settled in current Fauquier County and we can assume from artifacts found at the Outdoor Lab that other Manahoac tribes were living along Broad Run and its tributaries here at the present Outdoor Lab.

In 1754, Thomas Jefferson observed native peoples conducting ceremonies at a burial mound near his Monticello home in Albemarle County, Virginia. He later dug into the mound and recorded his findings in an organized fashion as part of his Notes on the State of Virginia (1787). Jefferson is recognized as an early archaeologist for this work.

The Monacan nation exists today and in 2018 became a federally recognized tribe with tribal land at Bear Mountain in Amherst County, Virginia. The Monacan nation recognizes the Manahoac as part of their ancestors. A living history presentation of a Monacan Village can be seen at Natural Bridge State Park.

The Outdoor Lab encourages you to learn more about the Manahoac and other native peoples and their rich history, culture and accomplishments in our history.

Bio-Diversity at the ODL

Posted on October 23, 2023October 23, 2023 by Mike Maleski

The Outdoor Lab is comprised of 226 acres including a mountain gap, streams, springs, pond, meadows and woodlands.

Every school day, students hike our trails and meadows, catch creatures in the streams and pond and immerse themselves in their natural world.

The Outdoor Lab staff and the supporting non-profit, the AOEA, work tirelessly to protect and improve the ODL’s Outdoor Classroom and diversify the flora and fauna of the Outdoor Lab’s eco-system.

We are committed to removing non-native and invasive plants and replacing them with natives.

Native plants are better suited to their environment and can survive and thrive with the water and nutrients found naturally. They also provide food and habitat for native insects and plants.

ODL celebrates Hispanic Heritage

Posted on September 15, 2023September 21, 2023 by Mike Maleski

The Arlington Outdoor Education Association and the Outdoor Lab Staff celebrate national Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 – Oct 15 annually)

We honor the many Hispanic Americans who have contributed to our schools, community and country. And celebrate our Latinx students who contribute their talents, skills and culture in all schools every day.

ODL @ the ArlCo Fair 2023

Posted on July 20, 2023 by Mike Maleski

Visit the Outdoor Lab’s Booth at the Arlington County Fair starting Friday August 18 at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and surrounding grounds, at 3501 2nd Street S.

After your Goat Yoga and before the Pig Races, cool off inside and visit the Outdoor Lab Booth!

We’ll have new Outdoor Lab Merch, including T-shirts, car magnets and more.

Join us at the Arlington County Fair:

Fri August 18 4p – 10p
Sat August 19 10a – 9p
Sun August 20 11a – 7p

ODL Supports LGBTQ+ Pride

Posted on June 1, 2023July 1, 2023 by Mike Maleski

The Arlington Outdoor Education Association (AOEA) supports the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month!

The Outdoor Lab is welcoming to All Students and Families, no matter their sexual identity or orientation.

Please join us in celebrating and advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community in Arlington and our world.

AAPI Heritage Month @ ODL

Posted on May 1, 2023July 1, 2023 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.

RAIN PLANS Open House- Sat April 22

Posted on March 1, 2023March 1, 2024 by Mike Maleski

RAIN PLANS for OPEN HOUSE

Due to predicted rain and thunderstorms on Saturday April 22nd, we are planning to:

-end the Open House at 1pm (when weather is supposed to get worse.)

For those ticket holders of 10a-1p session, you can come as planned.

For those ticket holders of 1p-4p session, you can come to the MORNING SESSION 10a-1p!

We will plan to do as many activities as the weather allows, but there may be a few showers in the morning.

We will move some programs inside if possible and have a tent over the campfire for S’MORES!

Please bring rain gear and sturdy shoes.

The Outdoor Lab is wonderful on a warm, cloudy day. Students go outside for field trips no matter the weather. (Some animals venture out and fish seem to be hungrier;)

Thank you for understanding.

Mike Maleski, President

Celebrate EARTH DAY at the Outdoor Lab Open House scheduled for Saturday April 22nd 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!

To help manage visitors, 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 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 online” or “FREE, I’ll donate later” (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.

We look forward to seeing you!

Share your pictures and tag #LovetheODL

Summer Camp 2023

Posted on March 1, 2023September 9, 2024 by Mike Maleski

Click Here for Current Camp Info

Outdoor Lab Summer Camp is Back!

The Outdoor Lab offers three, week-long camp sessions that provide a number of nature-related activities and experiences to Arlington Public School students. who have completed grades 4 through 8.

A blend of traditional camp activities (hiking, evening campfires, crafts, skits) and nature exploration make this program fun and informative. Staff safely guide campers through various activities that may include aquatic studies, natural history, survival skills, and more. Campers are also provided opportunities to explore the natural world through focused activities of their own choosing and self-directed free-time activities, such as boating and fishing.

Students are transported from Arlington to the Phoebe Hall Knipling Outdoor Lab in Broad Run, Virginia on Monday morning, and returned to Arlington on Friday afternoon of the same week. Campers sleep outside in platform tents and spend most of their day outside (weather permitting). They are provided three meals and snacks every day.

Sessions for 2023

Session A- Middle School (for students who just completed GR 6, GR 7, GR 8): June 26 to June 30
Session B- Elementary School (for students who just completed GR 4 or GR 5): July 10 to July 14
Session C- Elementary School: (for students who just completed GR 4 or GR 5): July 17 to July 21

Applications

Parents may apply for their student to attend camp by completing a short Google form found at Outdoor Lab – Arlington Public Schools (apsva.us) (NOW OPEN).

Registration is CLOSED. Go here for more info
Applications will be accepted on a first come-first served basis until Friday, March 31 2023 or until a session is full.
Once a student has been accepted, the family will be emailed an invoice for the tuition.
Payment is by check or money order.