About Acorn Outdoor Learning
Why the Acorn?
The oak is one of the most bountiful trees in North America and the Scarlet Oak is the District of Columbia’s State Tree. Oak trees produce food, shelter, and lumber and can live hundreds of years. They are revered for their beauty and resources and serve as a symbol of strength and resilience.
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The acorn is the seed of the oak tree. Each acorn holds within it the potential to become a mighty oak. It contains all the nutrients it needs for a strong start; to take root and begin its climb toward the sun it first needs fertile soil, then water. In the beginning it requires some shelter, later it needs space.
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Children are like acorns. They are born with all the innate intelligence, talent, and aptitude they will ever need. To thrive, all they need from adults is fertile soil for a strong start and then room to grow.
Who We Are
Acorn Outdoor Learning is a diverse community of learners. Our outdoor education programs encourage children's curiosity, provide opportunities for scientific inquiry, and foster understanding and appreciation of the natural world by exploring outdoor spaces in our local community.
Our mission
We nurture children’s curiosity, confidence, and connection to the natural world through inclusive, place-based outdoor education in Washington, D.C. by providing hands-on exploratory learning experiences that honor the diverse strengths of each child, support healthy development, and inspire a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.
Our Vision
We are empowering children to be stewards of the natural world. Guided by the belief that engagement with nature is possible everywhere and all the time, we are creating a society in which urbanites have an intimate relationship with their natural surroundings--a bond which is strengthened by understanding and appreciation of our urban ecosystem.