Program Highlights and Responsibilities
Soul Trak offers a range of year-round outdoor skills-based programming opportunities for our participants, designed to deepen their connection to local green spaces and engage them in meaningful ways.
Youth Swimming
The Soul Trak Youth Swimming Program provides free swimming lessons to youth in Ward 8, focusing on teaching essential 
water safety and swimming skills. Over the course of 6-8 weeks, participants will progress through group lessons designed to build confidence in the water, including skills like floating, swimming freestyle, and self-rescue techniques in case of falls. The program aims to promote water safety while providing instruction in a culturally aware setting, offering historical context around barriers to swimming. By subsidizing the high cost of traditional swim lessons, Soul Trak ensures that financial constraints do not prevent youth from gaining these vital skills. Open to youth under 21, this program creates an opportunity for participants to feel more comfortable and confident in the water, empowering them to engage in other water-based activities. The lessons are structured to help students progressively build their swimming abilities while increasing their comfort in and around water. Ultimately, participants will gain the skills necessary for water safety and be motivated to pursue further aquatic activities, with an increased sense of empowerment and confidence.
Kayak Pool Sessions
Soul Trak’s Whitewater Kayaking Pool Sessions, in partnership with Canoe Cruisers, offer a supportive and affordable environment for new kayakers to explore the world of whitewater kayaking. Held monthly from January through March at Piney Branch Elementary School in Takoma Park, each session provides instruction on kayaking gear, paddling strokes, and wet exits in a controlled pool setting. These sessions are intentionally designed for beginners, with all necessary equipment provided. Experienced kayakers are also welcome to use the pool for skill practice, with additional opportunities to build on their learning in future sessions. Participants can connect with instructors and fellow kayakers, try basic paddling skills, increase confidence in the water, and be motivated to pursue further kayaking experiences, including summer kayaking programs.
Outdoor Climbing Club (OCC)
The Outdoor Climbing Club (OCC) is a 6-week climbing progression program designed to provide an affordable, informative, and welcoming climbing experience for participants looking to start climbing or transition from indoor to outdoor climbing. Offered in the Spring and Fall, this course teaches basic climbing techniques such as knot tying, belay training, and climbing movement, as well as the fundamentals of anchor and top rope setup. The program fosters a supportive community of Soul Trak climbers, allowing participants to learn and grow together. Aimed at new climbers or gym climbers aged 18 and up, OCC offers open enrollment and focuses on building confidence in the outdoor climbing environment. Participants gain essential knowledge about local climbing spots and the specifics of outdoor climbing, empowering them to take their skills beyond the gym. Over the course of the 6 weeks, participants form bonds within the cohort, feeling invested in the climbing community. Many climbers go on to engage in other Soul Trak climbing programs, such as the Colorado Climbing Weekend, Bouldering Night, and volunteer opportunities with future cohorts and crag stewardship projects.
Scuba Certification
The Soul Trak Scuba Certification program offers 8 students the opportunity to complete their PADI Open Water Scuba Certification, providing high-quality instruction in a small group setting that is geographically accessible to the DC metropolitan area. The program is designed to introduce new divers to the world of scuba while fostering a sense of community among divers of color. Over the course of the program, participants will complete 4 indoor pool sessions and an open water certification, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to dive safely. The course aims to ensure all participants gain their PADI Open Water Certification, positioning them to pursue further scuba certifications in the future. This program is open to individuals aged 18+ who are competent swimmers and can pass an initial swim test. By offering affordable instruction, gear, and practice time, the program eliminates financial barriers to entry while providing participants with a supportive and inclusive cohort. Ultimately, participants will not only earn their certification but also become part of a community of divers who share similar experiences and a passion for the underwater world.
Whitewater Kayaking Cohort
Soul Trak's Whitewater Kayaking Cohort is a 4-week program designed to take participants from beginner to proficient kayaker, teaching them the essential skills needed to navigate rapids confidently. With expert instruction from Calleva River School and volunteer support from Canoe Cruisers, the program focuses on building a diverse group of kayakers who can thrive on the river. Participants will learn the fundamentals of kayaking, including boat fitting, basic strokes, wet exiting, and turning, as well as advanced maneuvers like peel-outs, eddy turns, ferries, and reading water. Throughout the program, participants will gradually
progress from smaller, controlled water sections like Riley's Lock to larger, faster-moving rivers such as the Anglers to Carderock stretch, incorporating skills like rolling and river running. The cohort also fosters a strong sense of community, connecting participants with experienced kayakers and creating opportunities for ongoing paddling partnerships. Open to individuals who are comfortable swimming and have participated in previous pool sessions (not required), this program builds strong foundations for those interested in advancing their whitewater kayaking skills. By the end of the course, participants will be well-equipped to continue developing their skills, explore further kayaking opportunities, and pursue certifications like swift water rescue or advanced rolling.
Soul Trak Surfs
Soul Trak Surfs offers an exciting opportunity for participants to experience surfing for the first time, with an introductory lesson followed by a beach cleanup with the Surfrider Foundation. Held as a day trip to Ocean City, MD, this program is designed to introduce individuals to the basics of surfing while promoting environmental stewardship. Participants will receive a hands-on surfing lesson, covering the fundamentals of paddling, popping up, and wave riding, before taking part in a beach cleanup to support ocean and beach conservation efforts. The program also connects participants to a broader surfing community, providing resources for future lessons, surf meetups, and local surf shops. Open to individuals aged 18+ who are competent swimmers, Soul Trak Surfs fosters a supportive and inclusive environment for newcomers to the sport. Participants will not only learn surfing basics but also develop an understanding of beach and ocean stewardship, contributing to the preservation of the coastal environment. By the end of the day, participants will have gained introductory surfing skills, made connections with experienced surfers, and become active stewards of the beaches and oceans they enjoy.
Soul Trak Outdoors Skills-Based Programming
Please head over to our events page and register for one of our upcoming skills-based programs, we can't wait to have you!
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