D.C. Wonderful Outdoor World Program (WOW)

Bureau of Land Management
Charles E. Bush, BLM Eastern States Office
cbush@blm.gov
(703) 440-1745

D.C. Wonderful Outdoor World Program (WOW), is recognized for its work with youth in the District of Columbia. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Eastern States Office, this successful program grew out of partnerships between federal, municipal, and not-for-profit agencies to provide opportunities to learn about and participate in environmental stewardship.

D.C. Wonderful Outdoor World Program (WOW) and Assistant Secretary Lynn Scarlett

WOW takes children, eight to twelve year olds, and introduces them to new outdoor experiences and themes. Fairy-tale characters, such as Goldilocks, are adapted and used to help urban youth understand environmental impacts and how to extend the “Leave No Trace” ethic to urban life. The importance of proper disposal and recycling is conveyed through the novel “Urban Toxics” segment. Now in its third year, WOW has reached over 5,000 children with its community camp outs, special activities and events, and community-based programming.