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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Wilderness Leadership & Learning, Nonprofit Organization, Washington D.C., DC.

WILL is a holistic 12-month experiential learning, youth leadership and life skills development program supported by 4 Pillars: Leadership & Self Awareness Life Skills Development, Environmental Awareness & Stewardship, Cultural Awareness & Appreciation.

06/19/2026

30 May 2026 - WILL Power Party

We had a FUN and MEMORABLE evening celebrating 22 years of WILL unleashing the potential of underserved DC area youth and honoring WILL Partners of the Year Laura Healy Hoffman and the Healy Foundation for their exceptional commitment to and support of WILL.

Huge thanks to WILL graduate Bernadet A, who eloquently spoke about her WILL experience and its lasting impact.

THANK YOU to the sponsors, donors, Tracy and Katie, WILL Board, The Edge Creative, Columbia Country Club, Jukeboxx, and attendees for making the WILL Power Party an exceptional evening.

06/11/2026

6 June 2026 - Scavenger Hunt on the National Mall

WILL youth had an exhilarating day learning about our Nation’s history by searching for answers to questions found in the monuments, memorials, and museums along the National Mall (over HALF the questions are in the National Gallery of Art!).

Test your knowledge with some of our scavenger hunt questions:

1. What do the columns around the Lincoln Memorial represent?
2. How many women’s names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall?
3. What do the stars on the Wall of Freedom at the WWII Memorial represent?
4. Who is the only U.S. president to serve in the House of Representatives after his presidency?
5. How many lions are in Rubens’s Daniel in the Lions’ Den?

05/29/2026

The WILL Power Party auction is OPEN and this year’s auction is the best ever 🎉

Bid online RIGHT NOW on:

⚾ 5 first-row Nationals Diamond Club seats (Nats v. Reds, Aug 9)
🏀 Courtside Mystics seats + Georgia Amoore signed basketball
⚽ DC United Club seats (Sept 12 vs. Atlanta United)
🍷 Three bottles of 1996 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
🥃 Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon + High West Midwinter Night's Dram
🎒 Patagonia gear, SCOUT bags, BCBG fashion + dining at 12+ DC restaurants

At the party Saturday night, bid live on Half Moon Resort Jamaica 🇯🇲, a Stowe Vermont getaway 🎿, The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown 🥂, the MoCo Golf Doubleheader ⛳, and a 12-bottle curated spirits collection 🍾

Can't make the party? Bid online and we'll ship your winnings to you. https://WILLpower2026.givesmart.com

Every bid supports WILL and our work unleashing the potential of underserved DC area youth.

05/25/2026

9 May 2026 - WILL Environmental Service with the Anacostia Watershed Society

WILL youth had a rewarding day of service learning with the Anacostia Watershed Society near the Anacostia River at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. The day expanded WILL youths’ understanding of environmental stewardship (WILL’s 3rd Pillar) and their role as advocates and leaders in the community.

In the morning, WILL youth planted 19 native trees to improve the habitat along the river, help reduce soil erosion, provide food and shelter for a various wildlife, capture carbon emissions in the environment, and filter pollution caused by stormwater runoff.

In the afternoon, we cleared invasive growth that was overtaking recently planted native trees, freeing these trees so they can provide their numerous benefits for the Anacostia River Watershed.

05/20/2026

2 May 2026 - WILL Expedition Orientation and College Admissions/Post High School Forum

WILL youth and their families joined us for an informative and engaging day. We began by discussing various aspects of the Expedition, including expectations, gear, what is provided, and what to bring (or leave at home). We discussed a range of post-high school options, such as taking a meaningful gap year, vocational school, work, community college, the military, or college.

Admissions representatives from Trinity Washington University, University of the District of Columbia, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Washington and Lee University emphasized the importance of researching schools to find the right “fit,” understanding the application process, and taking advantage of available resources. They also discussed the value of maximizing one’s high school experience and how to pay for college through various forms of financial aid, including DC TAG.

Throughout the session, they stressed the importance of being organized, meeting deadlines, taking academically rigorous courses, and starting the college search early.

04/24/2026

April 11-13 & 15-17, 2026 - Spring Break at the Bay

WILL youth built on environmental education begun in the fall – learned more about sediment, nutrients, and toxics (the 3 biggest polluters of the Bay), climate change and erosion and their impact on the Bay, the filtration, habitat, barrier, and food source benefits of the marsh, and how to be better environmental stewards. We set crab pots, hand tonged for oysters, progged on and explored Holland Island, a rapidly eroding barrier island, played fun games in the marsh, learned Leave No Trace ethics, and saw amazing sunrises and sunsets.

04/09/2026

April 4, 2026 - CPR & First Aid

WILL youth had an empowering day learning vital life skills. They earned CPR certification, and gained first aid knowledge, including the stomach thrust (formerly known as Heimlich), applying well-aimed direct pressure to wounds, why not to remove impaled objects, treating burns with cool water for 10 minutes (no ice or butter), and managing allergic reactions, heat-related conditions, and hypothermia. These skills equip WILL youth to respond confidently to situations they may encounter.

03/27/2026

21 March 2026 – Celebrating Woman’s History Month and 3rd of 3 WILL Financial Literacy & SMART Goals Days

WILL youth had an engaging and interactive day of learning and teaching!

We began the day celebrating Woman’s History Month, discussing 6 extraordinary, perhaps sometimes lesser-known Women (Sonia Sotomayor, Mary McLeod Bethune, Patsy Mink, Katherine Johnson, Deb Haaland, and Alice Paul – do you know them?) and their accomplishments and impact.

We then focused on financial literacy exploring different types of bank accounts, credit v. debit cards, credit and credit scores and the factors that impact one’s credit score, loans and investing. In the afternoon, we focused on SMART Goals. WILL Youth worked in five groups with each concentrating on one letter of the SMART Goals acronym and teaching important aspects of that letter to the larger group.

Address

Washington D.C., DC

Telephone

+12023192765

Website

http://www.will-lead.org/

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