Calleva Farm, Dickerson

Established: 1994

Reservations/Appointments: Not required

Staff Size: 2–4 people

Average Duration of Services: 1–2 hours

Pro Tip: Come ready for adventure and fun. Make sure you bring clothes that you don't mind getting wet.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Parking: Parking lot

Most Popular Attraction/Offering: River Tours

Recommended Age Group: All Ages

Calleva

With a name that means "where the paths cross," it's no surprise that Calleva is dedicated to bringing people of all ages and from all walks of life together to appreciate the outdoors. The certified MAEOE environmental center helps its guests dive into the heart of the wilderness right outside D.C. and raise awareness about its delicate ecosystems. In doing so, it encourages others to cooperate and take risks while stepping out of their comfort zones, like baby birds leaving the nest to start their own nest-building business.

To facilitate these efforts, a team of ACA-certified guides helms seasonal outdoor-adventure and educational programs. In warm weather, activities might include kayaking and canoeing down winding stretches of the Potomac River or paddling to a private island filled with ropes-challenge courses and other obstacles. Fishing and ecological-study programs present even more varied ways to explore the water. Other adventures include the year-round, such as backpacking; the cold weather, such as caving; and the whimsical, such as the annual haunted forest where ghosts and ghouls mingle under a zip-line course.