Closing the Year on the Trail

A year of adventure comes to a close on the shores of the Potomac.

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The last group shot of 2025! Students, staff, volunteers and board members gathered by the boat launch, the halfway mark of the hike, where the river waters were still and reflective.

As the year winds down, Wilderness Kids Alexandria marked the season with one of our favorite traditions—our annual End-of-Year Hike! We took to the River Trail Loop at Great Falls - hiking 1.8 miles along the cliffs overlooking the Potomac River, before looping back to the Old Carriage Road.  This year students, staff, board members, and volunteers came together to celebrate a year of growth, community, and outdoor adventure.

The hike offered the perfect blend of challenge and wonder. As we made our way along the trail, the Potomac River stretched beside us, and we scrambled over rocks to get the best views - which were nothing short of spectacular. We encourage our students to find the beauty in the nature that is unique to each season. This day was a perfect example of how bare tree branches leave more of the cliff-face and sourrounding forest visible. Students even managed to spot a herd of deer and a small but decidely quickfooted red fox.

Along the way, we spotted paddle boarders navigating the chilly waters and rock climbers gripping the cliffs, braving the elements with impressive determination—an inspiring sight for the group. Some of our students already have their eye on these activities for 2026.

Speaking of paddling and rock climbing: biking, zip-lining, horseback riding, skiing, swimming, sailing - these are just a handful of the activities we undertook this past year. So why do we continue to choose to end the year with a hike? We find that there is something grounding and peaceful about taking to the trail. Disconnected from phones, and immersed in the noisy silence of nature, moments for genuine connection seem to come more easliy. Admittedly, we take a bit longer than is usually estimated for these hikes, often pausing to chat, laugh, and strike silly poses for the camera.

No Wilderness Kids outing would be complete without a picnic lunch of sandwiches and clementines. On this chilly day we added steaming hot chocolate to the menu, expertly warmed up on our trusty campstove by our students. Also something of a Wilderness Kids staple - a competitive game of UNO (very competitive) while huddled together on picnic tables.

We have now past the winter solstice- which means everyday will see a little bit more sunlight. While we always enjoy reflection and expressing gratitude for what we have accomplished, we also look forward to brighter days full of adventure and friendship in 2026. Thank you 2025, and Happy holidays from everyone at Wilderness Kids Alexandria!