May Program Update

We are excited to host our first introduction to White Water Kayaking Club on Thursday, May 11  at Patagonia Georgetown from  7-9pm and our 2023 Environmental Leadership Cohort’s Seed to Soul Initiative  on May 13 from 3pm – 6pm at Temperance Alley Urban Garden. We appreciate you and can’t wait to see you in the outdoors!

We start with our monthly Bouldering Night at the Bouldering Project-DC on Eckington Pl in NE Washington on April 5. The event takes place the first Wednesday of the month and is a community centered program offered at no cost to the first 25 Soul Trak participants, community members thereafter pay an entry fee but receive free rentals. We’re looking forward to seeing  new faces at our popular, climbing event. Volunteers are available to show first-timers how to boulder. So please come by!

We are partnering with Sportrock Climbing Center for a 6 course outdoor climbing  program. This course will build climbers’ confidence and technical climbing skills outdoors in 6 parts. The workshops includes – Knot tying, belay training, and anchor setting. Outdoor climbing clinics will take place in both Carderock Recreation Area and Great Falls National Park, just 15 minutes driving outside of DC.  This month they will meet on Saturday, May 6th and May 20th, from 9am – 12pm at Great Falls or Carderock, climbers’ choice.

Our Spring 2023 Campus Ambassador Cohort (CAC) just concluded. It was comprised of 5 college leaders from Howard University, representing a wide variety of environmental interests and a diverse range of personal and professional backgrounds. This cohort actively served a 6-week commitment from March to April 2023,  focusing on stewardship initiatives, community organizing, and leadership development.  They pulled together a fantastic kayaking and cookout initiative on April 23. We are really proud of your efforts and spirit. The event drew over 40 participants from the Howard community with the aim of connecting students to the outdoors with recreation at the Georgetown waterfront. Great job CAC and hope to see you soon! 

We have our Youth Adventure Cohort which started on April 30. The program will run from April 30 – June 3.  Soul Trak is hosting our 2023 Youth Adventure Cohort this Spring for children between the ages of 11-14. This 6 session program  will consist of a series of exciting activities led by Soul Trak staff and program partners. The outings will take place on Sunday mornings and culminate in an overnight camping weekend. The Youth Cohort is a great opportunity to initiate their bonding experience as rising outdoor enthusiasts and further their learning around leadership, sustainability, and outdoor recreational activities that promote teamwork, skill building, and expand our tolerance for adversity. Their activities are hiking, urban gardening, camping with zip-lining, and white-water rafting in West Virginia, an Anacostia  boat tour, and outdoor climbing at Carderock.  All programs, equipment, group meals, camp lodging, and ground transport will be covered for youth.

Dust off your hiking boots and hike with us at the Brookside Gardens on Saturday, May 20  from 9am -1pm.  We will be hiking  5 miles on trails in Wheaton Regional Park, including the Northwest Branch trail along the Anacostia River. Hikers should bring water,  snacks, layers, and rain jacket along for the trip. It is important to have enough fuel for the day, we will stop for a break midway through hike. Please also wear close-toed shoes. See you on the trail!

You can find all our May programs on our events page. Thank you!