Navigate, connect, and expand your comfort zone while exploring the incredible city of Philadelphia
ESF Urban Adventures: Philadelphia Expedition, in partnership with Chill Expeditions, engages, surprises, and delights campers in rising grades 6th-9th while providing an active exploration of one of the greatest cities in the world. This engaging week provides opportunities for campers to go deep right in their own backyard—The Universe of Philadelphia. In an effort to widen and deepen campers’ curiosity, perspective, awareness and confidence, we will walk, hike, and ride public transportation, as well as engage with some incredible entrepreneurs, chefs, musicians, and artists. These local visionaries, along with our experiential educator field guides, will take campers off the beaten path and provide opportunities for them to explore the geography, culture, history, architecture, and ecosystems of the City of Brotherly Love.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: SITES & SOUNDS OF PHILADELPHIA: Understanding the City
Navigate Philadelphia, gaining situational awareness and confidence in an urban environment
The day commences with a workshop from a former Philadelphia Police Officer on “Situational Awareness”—how to observe, understand, and operate within an urban setting. We will then follow up with a 101 on urban navigation, planning our route and taking public transportation throughout the city. Campers will learn the differences between navigating a downtown environment versus a suburban area, as they gain street smarts and awareness of their surroundings. Upon arrival downtown, campers get started with a behind-the-scenes introduction to the city through the lens of magnificent City Hall, still the tallest all-masonry building on the planet! After lunch, campers will discover the layout of the city, exploring the unique differences and evolution of some of the diverse neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
DAY 2: THE FLAVOR OF PHILLY: An exploration of food and culture
A flavorful and fun immersion including top chefs and diverse cuisine
Begin your immersive culinary journey with a hands-on visit to an urban farm in Philadelphia to learn about urban/organic agriculture, gain an understanding of where our food comes from, and discover the communities served by this farm. We then connect with one of Philadelphia’s top chefs to complete our Farm to Table experience. In the afternoon, we meet a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and learn more about Philly from his unique perspective.
DAY 3: GREEN PHILLY: Appreciating Philly Green Environments
The rower’s Schuylkill and the sublime Wissahickon
Explore and interact with nature in an urban environment. We start our day with a tour of the Schuylkill from a rower’s perspective and learn about the impact of the river on recreation, community, economy, health, and more. We then head to the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education for participation in a hands-on workshop to learn more about local urban habitats. In the afternoon, we ‘ll put our new knowledge into action, as we explore one of the most incredible urban parks in the world, the wondrous Wissahickon!
DAY 4: PHILLY VISIONARIES: Local Entrepreneurs
An entrepreneur’s city; different perspectives
Today we continue to learn how people connect with their communities, neighborhoods and city. We start the morning with a visit to Street Soccer, a grassroots program reaching communities through sport. We then head to one of the hotbeds of economic growth in the city, the Navy Yard, to meet with entrepreneurs who have chosen this special location and re-purposed it for their business. In the afternoon, we have a special behind-the-scenes tour of Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies!
DAY 5: NAVIGATING WITH PURPOSE: Putting It All Together
Street art and museum of art: different perspectives and reflection
Our exciting adventure culminates as we reflect upon all that we have experienced, seen, and learned. Campers take the lead on planning and navigating their last journey together to view amazing street art and one of Philadelphia’s most iconic sites—the Museum of Art. After our Museum experience, we will enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the Schuylkill River as we reflect on our week of adventure and exploration!
*Itinerary is subject to change. Due to the unique nature of this program.
In partnership with