Prince George's County Summer Environmental Academy

The Anacostia Watershed Society is offering a FREE Summer Environmental Academy (SEA) program for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who live in and near the Anacostia River watershed in PG County. Through this explorative, outdoor recreational and educational experience, students learn about their river and local environment, while developing skills in team building, critical thinking, and scientific investigation.

The Summer Environmental Academy will be offered for free over two weeks in the summer of 2023. Both sessions cover the same material, so we recommend coming to only one.

Week 1: June 20th, 21st, and 22nd, with June 23rd as a rain date - Click here for week 1 application

Week 2: June 27th, 28th, and 29th, with June 30th as a rain date - Click here for week 2 application

On those days we will meet from 9:00am to 3:30pm. From our meeting location, we will venture out together for various recreational and educational activities along the Anacostia River. Activities increase environmental awareness and give students the opportunity to take positive action to help improve their environment, as well as increase outdoor engagement. Activities may include boat tours, trash cleanups, wetland plantings, visits to community parks, mussel restoration, fishing, canoeing, etc.

Summer Environmental Academy Program

Day 1: Diving into the Anacostia River Community

This day will be focused on the Anacostia community. The main message of the day is to connect the students with the Anacostia community through providing them with local history, getting them involved in community gardens, and introducing them to their watershed. Activities include:

• Boat tour of the Anacostia River
• Tour and Lunch at the Asia Valley at the National Arboretum
• Participate in the National Arboretum's Youth Garden Program
• Pickup/Drop off location: Bladensburg Waterfront Park

Day 2: Becoming an Anacostia River Scientist

This day will be focused on environmental science. At Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, part of the National Park Service, students will actively investigate the health of the Anacostia River by carrying out water quality tests and surveying other bioindicators. Activities include:

• Explore Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
• Perform science experiments
• Look for freshwater mussels, turtles, frogs, aquatic insects, and fish in the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Ponds.
• Pickup/Dropoff location: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Day 3: Exploring River Recreation

This day is focused on the fun to be had! Students will be introduced to recreational activities along the river and possibly try something new. Activities include:

• Fishing
• Canoeing
• Pickup/Drop off location: Bladensburg Waterfront Park

More information

We ask that families only apply if they feel they can make a commitment to the program, barring unforeseen circumstances. Some exceptions to missing a session may be granted (e.g., school testing, sickness, COVID-19, etc.). All participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID. If interested in applying for the 2023 summer program, please complete the following forms and submit per the instructions at the end of the application. If you have any questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Manager of Education.

Bad weather plan

AWS educators will be constantly monitoring the weather and have an action plan ready. They will notify you via email and a phone call a day in advance if we plan to cancel a program day due to inclement weather. If that does happen we will reschedule for that week’s rain date on Friday.