Acorn Outdoor Learning

At Acorn Outdoor Learning, children engage with nature in ways that spark curiosity, creativity, and a love for exploration.

We provide inclusive, place-based outdoor education programs across Washington, D.C., bringing children into local parks, community gardens, and green spaces for hands-on learning. Our programs nurture each child’s strengths, foster healthy development, and build confidence, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, all while inspiring a lifelong connection to the natural world.

Children, like acorns, carry the potential to grow strong and resilient. With guidance, care, and the right environment, they can flourish into confident individuals and lifelong stewards of the environment. Just as the Scarlet Oak, D.C.’s state tree, grows strong and provides sustenance and shelter, Acorn Outdoor Learning cultivates growth, resilience, and responsibility in every child.

Our mission is to nurture children’s curiosity, confidence, and connection to nature through experiences that honor the diversity and strengths of each learner. We believe that engagement with nature is possible everywhere, and early experiences in our urban ecosystem can foster a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.

Donor support makes our work possible. Contributions help us:

• Maintain safe and engaging outdoor learning environments
• Develop programs that spark curiosity and exploration
• Provide scholarships that ensure all children can participate
• Supply materials and resources for hands-on learning

Your donations directly impact children’s lives, helping them explore, discover, and grow in ways they might not otherwise experience. Every gift ensures that children from every neighborhood in D.C. can engage with nature, develop confidence, and become the next generation of environmental stewards.

Join us in giving children the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow. Together we can help them reach their full potential while building a stronger, greener, and more connected community!