News

Summer Camp 2018

Posted on by Mike Maleski

Science Enrichment Summer Camp

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 may not otherwise have such opportunities.

Campers sleep outdoors in tents and are provided three meals and snacks every day. Activities include nature hikes, survival skills, night walks, games, skits, arts and crafts, animal exploration, boating, fish, and much more.

Sessions for 2018

  • Session A- Elementary School  (for students entering 5th or 6th): June 25 to June 29
  • Session B- Middle School  (for students entering 6th, 7th or 8th):  July  9  to July 13
  • Session C- Elementary School:  (for students entering 5th or 6th): July 23 to July 27

Applications

Application is made through the Summer School program and will be accepted from March 1 to April 6, 2018.   APS students can sign up for Outdoor Lab Summer Camp through the APS Summer School Program. The APS Summer School Catalog, application forms and deadlines can be found at www.apsva.us/summer-school

More Info

More information on Summer Camps can be found in the Arlington Public Schools summer school booklet. The Summer school booklet and registration forms are available from your home school.

More information about summer camp, including paperwork and a suggested packing list can be found at www.apsva.us/science/outdoor-lab/

Questions that your school can not answer should be directed to the Arlington Public Schools Science Office at (703) 228-6166 or [email protected]

Questions about camp activities or meals should be directed to Neil Heinekamp, Outdoor Lab Co-Director, at (540) 347-2258

APS Summer Camp 2018 Brochure

Winter 2018

Posted on by Mike Maleski

We’re off to a cold but wonderful start to the new year!

Classes from Arlington Public Schools 3rd and 7th grades are taking the bus out to the lab daily to experience first hand the wonders of nature in winter.  Checkout our Facebook page to see some of their winter discoveries.

Advocate for the Outdoor Lab

Posted on by Mike Maleski

President’s Letter

We have have many dedicated supporters and are very grateful for your support.  With the increasing school population, we want to ensure that we have facilities and resources to continue supporting Arlington Public School (APS) students.
We continue to have discussions with Arlington Public School staff to increase Outdoor Lab staff and transportation so we can maintain the current classes and possibly bring back more high school and 6th grade programs.  This year the Outdoor Lab staff has scheduled a record 43 5th grade overnights!  With the increasing size of 7th grade and 3rd grade classes we have no room left in the calendar for make-up days due to cancellations.  So inclement weather (ice, snow!) precludes a school from having the overnight experience – we are as disappointed as the students!  The Science Advisory Committee and AOEA have both recommended additional staff and transportation to provide additional flexibility in scheduling visits.
We are anxious to move forward with our cottage replacement and other facility projects – but as our past president, Mike Nardolilli, simply stated – “AOEA and APS are running a 3-legged race supporting the OL and if we are not working together – we just run in circles”.  The AOEA needs a commitment from APS (additional resources) to maintain the program for the future.
Express your support for the Outdoor Lab directly to APS staff:
 Your past support has made it possible for the Outdoor Lab to serve the Arlington community for 50 years! Please “pay it forward” and remember the Outdoor Lab at this time of year by making a tax-deductible contribution today!   (online at https://outdoorlab.org or mail to Arlington Outdoor Education Association Inc.,  P.O. Box 5646, Arlington, VA 22205)

 

Todd Parker, President AOEA

Schools Support the Outdoor Lab

Posted on by Mike Maleski

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!

An important part of AOEA contributions come from schools and individual donations.  Donations can be made through “1st day packets” and online.  We also get “special” contributions – last year the Jamestown 5th grade class gave the Outdoor Lab support that was used to purchase new tents and life preservers.  For the past two years Tuckahoe elementary school has held a basketball fundraiser – this year it was against Glebe school – the Outdoor Lab was the biggest winner receiving over $3,900!   Big or small,  all donations are appreciated and show how passionate our supporters are!

School, Parent, Alumni related donations for 2017

You too can Support the Outdoor Lab.  Whether through a personal donation or through another group.  Check out our Support Page for more info.

Open House-Sunday October 29 2017

Posted on by Mike Maleski

Due to Rainy weather, the Open House on October 29th has been cancelled.

El Laboratorio al Aire Libre ha cancelado las puertas abiertas debido al clima.

Arlington Families join us at our semi-annual Outdoor Lab Open House, Sunday October 29th from 12-4pm.

In case of bad weather, we will post whether the Open House is cancelled right here on the web.

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!

If you’d like to Volunteer during the Open House, contact Carol Goodloe, AOEA Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].

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.

We look forward to seeing you!

 

[pdf-embedder url=”https://outdoorlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Fall-2017-Open-House-English.pdf” title=”Fall 2017 Open House – English”] [pdf-embedder url=”https://outdoorlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Fall-2017-Open-House-Spanish.pdf” title=”Fall 2017 Open House – Spanish”]

Thank You Picnic- 50 Years

Posted on by Mike Maleski
On Sunday, June 4, the AOEA board and Outdoor Lab staff thanked our generous longtime donors with a festive picnic celebration.  It was wonderful to see so many old friends and to recognize them for their years of service and support to the Outdoor Lab. Thank you to all who attended!
Special recognition was given via these two awards:
Volunteer of the Decade
Judy Collins and family
Volunteer of the Year
Marni Pennington Coleman

At the event, AOEA President Mike Nardolilli unveiled renderings of a planned replacement for Striker Cottage
and announced the availability of a number of “Naming Opportunities”
at the Outdoor Lab, including the following:
 
“TINY HOUSES” @ $50,000 EACH
 
The “Tiny Houses” are two small units that are able to provide sleeping
accommodations to Outdoor Lab Staff who stay at the Lab during
the Fifth Grade Overnights.

HISTORY DISPLAY CASE @ $20,000
The Lab property includes Glasscock Gap that was used by troops during the Civil War.
We have discovered a number of Civil War and other historic artifacts on the Lab property that should be appropriately displayed.
50th ANNIVERSARY FRIENDS OF PHOEBE @ $5,000 EACH
 

Help us build the replacement for the Striker Cottage by becoming a 50th Anniversary Friend of Phoebe.
Your name will be placed on a plaque in the new structure as your legacy to the children of Arlington.

Please contact the Outdoor Lab if you are interested in supporting our Capital Campaign! 

Mail: P.O. Box 5646, Arlington, VA 22205

Open House, Saturday May 20 2017

Posted on by Mike Maleski

Arlington Families- Help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Outdoor Lab at the semi-annual Outdoor Lab Open House, Saturday May 20th from 1-5pm.

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.

We look forward to seeing you!

 

Summer Camp 2017

Posted on by Mike Maleski

Science Enrichment Summer Camp

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 may not otherwise have such opportunities.

Campers sleep outdoors in tents, and are provided three meals and snacks every day. Activities include nature hikes, survival skills, night walks, games, skits, arts and crafts, animal exploration, boating, fish, and much more.

Sessions for 2017

  • Session A- Elementary School  (for students who just completed GR 4 and GR 5): June 26 to June 30
  • Session B- Middle School  (for students who just completed GR 6, GR 7, and GR 8): July 10 to July 14
  • Session C- Elementary School:  (for students who just completed GR 4 and GR 5): July 24 to July 28

Applications

Application is made through the Summer School program and will be accepted from March 3 to April 7, 2017 APS students can sign up for Outdoor Lab Summer Camp through the APS Summer School Program. The APS Summer School Catalog, application forms and deadlines can be found at www.apsva.us/summer-school

More Info

More information on Summer Camps can be found in the Arlington Public Schools summer school booklet. The Summer school booklet and registration forms are available from your home school.

More information about summer camp, including paperwork and a suggested packing list can be found at www.apsva.us/science/outdoor-lab/

Questions that your school can not answer should be directed to the Arlington Public Schools Science Office at (703) 228-6166 or [email protected]

Questions about camp activities or meals should be directed to Neil Heinekamp, Outdoor Lab Co-Director, at (540) 347-2258