Hi, I'm Margaret, the founder of The Elements, D.C. Read on to learn what we're all about!
How it started
My happiest childhood memories were when I was outside. Whether I was riding a horse or playing Kick the Can in my neighborhood, I was in my element outdoors. I learned the value of hard work from my summers working on a family farm. Mornings were spent with my mom, grand mother and siblings digging post holes, tending the vegetable garden. The afternoons were spent swimming in the pond, swinging in a hammock and climbing trees. These early-childhood experiences impacted me on a cellular level.
Fast forward to the 90’s when my husband and I found ourselves raising our 4 kids in the heart of Washington DC. Nothing like having a small house, 4 kids, dogs, chickens and ducks (not all at the same time) to nudge us to the wide open spaces of Rock Creek Park. Lucky us! We discovered a wealth of natural wonders in our city. We would head to the local woods regardless of weather or dimming daylight. We would savor the fresh air, space to explore and time with pals and pets. We'd always come home invigorated. Sensing the need for activities other than organized sports and academics, I started The Elements DC in 2007.
Off the grid, into the woods
For our programs for kids, we focus on outdoor activities that don’t happen in the rectangles of classrooms, houses, playing fields or screens. The organized yet unstructured activities include things like building woodland shelters, damming up creeks, climbing fallen trees, simulating heroic treks of famous explorers and so on. For our AfterSchool Winter, Spring and Autumn Seasons, We accept 20–25 kids at each session, break into crew-guided groups of 5 to 7 and head into the woods for 75 minutes of adventure. Our Custom Sessions are catered to your wishes: we propose woodland locations and activities. You pick your kiddo’s pals and mutually agreed upon date. Two hours (+/-) of adventures and fun!
Great for us big kids, too
As The Elements kids' programs grew and expanded, the parents marveled at the remarkable affects that the time in the woods had on their children. The kiddos would arrive on a cold, drizzly afternoon, moody and tired from the school day and an hour later, be rosy cheeked and happy. Adults also need that 'grounding' and asked for Elements offerings for adults. We listened! The time outside, active and grounded, whether for a few hours or overnight is a remarkable departure from the rig-a-ma-roll of our busy lives.
Research Proves it's worthwhile
You feel it and likely know from your own experience what wonders even a short walk outside can do for your energy, happiness, and ability to focus and now there's science that proves it. Check out the research at www.childrenandnature.org that proves the benefits of getting active outside.
We believe in Giving Back
One of our core values is giving back! As a way to live that in our actions, we have a special partnership with the City Kids Wilderness Program. We hire City Kids high-schoolers as Elements Crew/interns and we donate a percentage of profits from our kids programming to CKWP. Through our adult offerings, We highlight and support our local treasures by hosting Elements experiences that accent and benefit local non-profit organizations. Past partnerships have been with Potomac Conservancy, Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy and National Park Trust. Goodness makes the world go 'round!
Join us
Go scope out the program details (for ADULTS and for KIDS), register, then take a step away from the screen! Hope to see you and your kiddos out in the woods or on the trail before long.