Mission
Wilderness Kids Alexandria provides life-enriching experiences in nature to teenagers from under-resourced families and underserved communities in Alexandria, Virginia.
ValUes
We set our efforts upon a foundation of seven values that inform everything we do.
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Nature is Home: We are at home in the natural world. Nature nourishes us physically, mentally and spiritually; in turn, we take care of nature.
Equity in Community: Ours is a diverse community that values equity and respectful inclusion. Equity refers to both fairness and ownership--we each take ownership of our community, and we simultaneously claim the benefits and accept the responsibilities that come with such ownership. We lead and we serve in our communities.
Curiosity: What is this tree? What stars will I find in the sky tonight? Which bird is calling now? We seek the answers to these questions not because the answers are inherently important, but because the curiosity, observation, and learning that leads to those answers yields a lifetime love of learning.
Quality: How can I build a fire with no match? How can I climb that rock face? How can I best tie a tarp to keep myself dry in the rain? Developing skills is about cultivating an attention to detail, an appreciation for quality. A fire well-built, a rock-face skillfully climbed, or a tarp well constructed translates throughout life to quality and confidence in all of one's efforts.
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Mindfulness: Behind everything we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell, there is a blank canvas upon which those sensations are etched. By taking the time to be quiet and slow down, we become better tuned to the worlds around us and within us, and come to the understanding that silence and calm can foster peace in our own lives.
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Gratitude: We are thankful for the people and places in our lives, even in hard times. We take note of how practicing thankfulness can change our perspective on life's ups and downs.
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Creative Expression: We express ourselves in innumerable ways--through, art, poetry, prose, photography, music and more. In this way, we find our voice, gain confidence, and learn to share our ideas with the world.
Inclusion of all voices
Wilderness Kids Alexandria is committed to building an equitable and inclusive community, composed of diverse voices and identities. We are dedicated to creating a sense of belonging in outdoor spaces for our students and a love and appreciation of nature while teaching both outdoor and life skills. We aim to instill a sense of mutual respect of others regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual identity or orientation, gender identity, national origin, immigration status, or any other identity.
We are resolute in our commitment to a community that is welcoming and inclusive of all; we consistently strive to meet this commitment and evolve as needed. We seek to build a board, a staff team, and a volunteer base that is diverse and representative of the wider community and the students we serve. We pledge to work better to understand social structures and, where we are able, to build our community in a way that offers equity, inclusion, respect, and justice.
- adopted by the Board of Directors on June 10, 2025