Saturday, April 25, 2026
3rd Annual Community Day
The DC Youth Orchestra Program invites families to its 3rd Annual Community Day featuring live open rehearsals, an instrument petting zoo, face painting, arts & crafts, food trucks, a DJ, and more family-friendly fun!
Event Information
- When: Saturday, April 25, 2026 (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
- Where: Takoma Elementary School, 7010 Piney Branch Rd NW, Washington, DC 20012 map
- Contact: DC Youth Orchestra Program, (202) 795-8550
- For more information: click here
Monday, April 27, 2026
Our Wild Neighbors: Researching the Flora and Fauna of Prince William Forest Park
Prince William Conservation Alliance
Sponsored by: Prince William Conservation Alliance, National Park Conservation Association, Mid County Civic Association, and Prince William Wildflower Society. Prince William County is a premier destination for residents across the region to delight in nature. We are fortunate to have two national parks within our ecologically diverse county! They provide vital resources for our community's physical and mental health, quality habitat for wildlife, and protection for stream quality in critical waterways. Prince William Forest Park, for example, on the county’s southeastern edge, protects roughly 15,000 acres of mainly Piedmont forest. This is the largest Piedmont forest in the national park system and provides a home to over 250 species of animals and 900 species of plants. From black bears and elusive freshwater sponges to towering trees and the easily overlooked, federally threatened small whorled pogonia, diverse flora and fauna welcome over 250,000 park visitors annually. Whether taking a walk in the woods to unwind from a long week, birdwatching for the pure enjoyment of hide-and-seek, or bike riding along the scenic drive to breathe in fresh air while pushing yourself to go farther, the park offers rich experiences for all. But wait, there’s more! The park also provides the opportunity for scientists to study healthy ecosystems. With habitats globally becoming increasingly fragmented due to development pressure, research opportunities are shrinking. Prince William Forest Park is facing similar pressure. Much of the land around its border was formerly protected by the Rural Crescent (the county’s urban growth boundary). Now, without that policy, projects like La Benison and Potomac Technology Park are moving in, weakening the park's ability to maintain all the services it provides to the community. As part of our ongoing series, Places Worth Protecting, join us for an evening to explore foundational research being done thanks to the park and celebrate the knowledge we've gained as a result. Together, we’ll learn about: - Small Whorled Pogonia (Flora): Melissa McCormick, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center - Characterizing Deadwood (Flora): Dasha Maslyukova, Virginia Tech - Freshwater Sponge (Fauna): Colin Wang, William & Mary - At-Risk Turtles (Fauna): Elizabeth Hunter, Virginia Tech Opening remarks will be provided by Kristi Shelton, PWFP biologist. We’re excited to learn about our wild neighbors who call PWFP home and the discoveries being made through researching them. Come learn with us before your next visit to the park!
Event Information
- When: Monday, April 27, 2026 (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
- Where: Online, 101 Online Ave, NA, VA 22192 map
- Contact: Evelyn Parks, (703) 490-5200
- For more information: click here
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Is History Repeating Itself?
Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (formerly Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition)
Join Michael Lukens, Amica Center's Executive Director, and author and professor Brianna Nofil to discuss her first book, The Migrant's Jail: An American History of Mass Incarceration.
Event Information
- When: Thursday, April 30, 2026 (6:00 PM)
- Where: True Reformer Building, 1200 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009 map
- Contact: Amica Center, (202) 899-3987
- For more information: click here
Access Youth Soiree 2026
Join Access Youth at Hook Hall for an unforgettable evening celebrating DC's young people and the community that shows up for them. Enjoy powerful student stories, a vibrant dance floor, and a room full of changemakers committed to keeping youth engaged in school and out of the justice system. Featuring special remarks from the Mayor, this is more than a fundraiser—it's the night DC invests in its future.
Event Information
- When: Thursday, April 30, 2026 (6:30 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Where: Hook Hall, 3400 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010 map
- Fee: $150; Early Bird Tickets ($120) through April 15th
- Contact: Access Youth, (202) 210-1335
- For more information: click here
Saturday, May 9, 2026
14th Annual Superhero 5K and Fun Run
Join BEST Kids for its 14th Annual Superhero 5K & Fun Run on May 9 to support DC area foster and at-risk youth! This family-friendly fundraising event celebrates the everyday superheroes that make a positive impact in the lives of DC area youth. BEST Kids empowers foster and at-risk youth to build healthy and successful futures through mentoring, college and career readiness, and life-skills programs. The theme of this year's event is "Every Step Makes an Impact" as we seek to bring about positive change in the lives of the youth we mentor and serve. Activities will include a Costume Contest, Kids Fun Zone, Game Stations and much more!
Event Information
- When: Saturday, May 9, 2026 (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM)
- Where: Fort Hunt Park - Pavilion A, 8999 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA 20598 map
- Fee: Early Bird (until 4/10/26)-5K: Adults-$35; Ages 13-17-$15; 12 & Under: Free; Fun Run: Free; Starting 4/11/26: 5K: Adults-$45; Ages 13-17-$20
- Contact: BEST Kids, (202) 397-3272
- For more information: click here
Saturday, May 16, 2026
2026 Montgomery County Youth Media Festival 
Action Youth Media (formerly Gandhi Brigade)
The 2026 Montgomery County Youth Media Festival celebrates youth voices in the media arts industry in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. The annual Festival promotes the creativity and impact of young filmmakers and artists as it showcases youth talent, highlights social issues, and inspires positive action. Through screenings and dialogue, the festival fosters connections in our community. Submit your video via FilmFreeway and your artwork on our website. For more information: https://www.youthmediamd.org/youthmediafestival
Event Information
- When: Saturday, May 16, 2026 (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
- Where: AFI Silver Theater, 8633 Colesvilie Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 map
- Volunteer Info: help with registration and to run the event
- Contact: Action Youth Media, (240) 641-8170 ext 3015231413
- For more information: click here
Monday, July 13, 2026
Volunteer for Girls Rock! DC's Summer Camp
Summer Camp will be hosted at NPR Headquarters again this July 13-18 and August 3-8, and we are currently looking for volunteers/contractors to help us make this year’s camp another success! We are looking for: -Instrument Instructors to teach one of five instruments (guitar, bass, drums, keys, vocals) or to teach music production -Band Coaches to guide the student bands and help them write an original song -Camp Counselors to assist instructors and facilitate activities -Roadies to help move equipment and set the band rooms up -A Wellness Counselor to help campers with their big emotions -A Head Roadie to maintain equipment and lead the other roadies -A Head Counselor to assist the Program Manager to ensure the campers have a great experience at camp! More information about each role can be found in the Summer Camp Volunteer Application. You can choose to engage in Summer Camp in one of two ways: as a Volunteer or as a Contractor. If you select Volunteer, you choose to donate your time to Girls Rock! DC, a non-profit organization. This is the most common choice. However, we want to make participation in Summer Camp accessible to as many adults as possible, so you can select Contractor if you wish to be compensated for your time at camp.
Event Information
- When: Monday, July 13, 2026 (8:30 AM - 5:30 PM)
- Where: NPR Headquarters, 1111 N Cap St NE, Washington, DC 20002 map
- Contact: Girls Rock! DC, (202) 691-7625
- For more information: click here