Join Soul Trak for a Youth Adventure Week in Shenandoah National Park. Over the duration of one week, the group will set up camp at Big Meadows Campground, complete service projects for the park, attend educational ranger talks to learn about the history and natural environment of the park, and spend time exploring the park through hiking and visiting points of interest in the park. The goal is to connect DMV youth with a local national park, in order to foster stewardship for public lands and diverse representation in the outdoors.
Who: Youth aged 11-15 are invited to register and apply. If you have participated in Soul Trak’s Youth Adventure Cohort, Soul Trak School Programs, or other Soul Trak programs, come join us for an adventurous week!
Key Programs:
Camping 101: Learn the basics of tent camping and setting up a comfortable outdoor camping setup. We will be cooking all of our meals on camp stoves, and making sure we keep a clean and tidy campsite.
Learn Leave No Trace principles and general best practices for camping.
Complete service projects for the park and learn about park stewardship. Projects could include trail maintenance or campsite beautification.
Attend engaging ranger talks about the natural and human history of the national park.
Learn about Black History in Shenandoah NP: Lewis Mountain Resort
Naturalist talks: Learn about the native flora and fauna, geology, and waterways.
Astrology: See the stars at night!
Explore the park through hiking excursions and visiting Shenandoah’s famous waterfalls.
Schedule:
Monday 6/22: Transportation provided from DC, leave Monday morning from Anacostia Park at 8:00am. Drive to Shenandoah National Park and arrive at the campsite, where we will have lunch and set up camp. Meet Park Rangers and Shenandoah staff to receive an orientation on the park.
Tuesday 6/23: Spend the day around Big Meadows Campground. We will participate in a morning educational program, afternoon service project, and attend an evening ranger talk.
Wednesday 6/24: All day hike to a waterfall!
Thursday 6/25: Morning Service Day, Afternoon Educational Program, evening hike.
Friday 6/26: We will close out the week by presenting youth participants with recognition of their service to the park and status of Junior Park Ranger. We will depart the park in the early afternoon to return to DC, arriving around 2:00pm.
Costs:
Soul Trak will cover the cost of all transportation and meals, and provide camping gear such as tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. The $25 registration fee will ensure your registration and go towards providing group supplies.
Participants only need to provide their own personal gear for the week, including appropriate clothing and layers, hiking shoes/boots, day pack, and toiletries. A more detailed list will be provided during Orientation. Financial aid may be available to families who do not already have these items.
Orientation:
Youth Adventure Week Orientation will be a mandatory in-person meeting on Monday May 18, from 6-8p. We will go over the week’s programs, provide information on what you will need to bring, and answer any questions. We will also be joined virtually by the Shenandoah National Park Rangers who will be supporting our group in June.
How to Register and Apply:
Register here on the Soul Trak page - Parents please register your youth participant under their name. You can put your contact information in for them.
We will confirm your registration and application, and you will be asked to fill out the Soul Trak Overnight Medical and Dietary form.
Questions? Reach out to junko@soultrak.com
Soul Trak Teen Summer Explorers Program
Get ready for a summer packed with outdoor adventure, skill-building, and unforgettable experiences! The Soul Trak Teen Summer Explorers Program is designed to challenge, inspire, and connect teens through a series of guided outdoor activities — from beginner-friendly bike skills to multi-day wilderness expeditions.
This summer's lineup takes participants on a progressive journey, starting with foundational skills and building toward immersive overnight adventures. Whether you're brand new to the outdoors or looking to level up, there's something here for every teen ready to explore.
Participants are eligible for all day trips, and the week-long experiences of their choice. Teens must attend at least 80% of programs.
2026 Program Schedule
May 29-30 — Friday After School to Saturday Lunch: Camping Overnight at Greenbelt Park
Learn important camping skills to prepare for backpacking and bikepacking. Teens will pack their gear, hit the trail, and set up camp, learning about Leave No Trace, camping best practices, and preparing for upcoming longer trips.
Wednesday June 3, 4p-7p — Learn to Ride & Skill Building on Bikes
Kick off the summer with a fun, supportive intro to cycling! Participants will build confidence on two wheels through guided skill-building exercises covering balance, braking, shifting, and trail-ready techniques. No experience necessary — just bring your enthusiasm.
June 6 — Teen Day Hike
Lace up your boots for a guided day hike through beautiful terrain. This is a great opportunity to connect with nature, build trail confidence, and bond with fellow adventurers before the bigger trips ahead.
July 12–19 — Teen Backpacking Trip on the Appalachian Trail
The ultimate backcountry experience! Spend a full week exploring the wilderness on foot, carrying everything you need on your back. Teens will develop navigation, Leave No Trace, and camping skills while building resilience and deep friendships along the way.
August 2–9 — Teen Bikepacking Trip - Tracing the Underground Railroad
Close out the summer strong with a week-long bikepacking expedition. Participants will pedal from Harriet Tubman's birthplace to the Maryland/Delaware border, camp under the stars, and experience the full rewards of everything they've built throughout the season.
Space is limited — register early to secure your spot! Questions? Contact us at junko@soultrak.com
Top Rope Climbing Meetup at Movement Crystal City
Friday, May 29th, 2026
1235 S Clark St, Arlington VA
Come meet up with Soul Trak climbers to climb on top rope. Find a new climbing partner or come with your belay partner! ** For this program, belay certification is required. If you know how to belay but are not yet certified at Movement Gyms, you can take the belay test on the day of. **
Please also register through this link:
https://app.rockgympro.com/b/?bo=33d0cbefc3644322aa66c2f45744fd3c
If you are member at Movement, you don’t need to sign up as it is still a free event. For non-members, it’s nice to have them signup and pay in advance.
if you do not sign up in advance, you can still be added to the event the night of and get the discounted entry fee of $20. Just make sure to mention you are here for Soul Traks event so the Front Desk team knows to add them to the event and charge them appropriately.
7p: Meet the Soul Trak Crew at the tables in front of the Yoga studio, towards the bouldering area.
7:05 Soul Trak circle - we will start with introductions and if you are new to climbing, we will match you up with an experienced climber.
7:15 Top Rope climbing!
8:00 We will close out the night with a group picture! You are welcome to stick around and boulder or climb after 9p, the gym is open until 11p.
Questions? Contact junko@soultrak.com
Details to come!