Pre & Post Institute Workshops & ActivitiesPre-Institute Workshops | Post-Institute Activities To enhance your Institute experience, we’re offering some exceptional, hands-on workshops to gain skills that you can take back to your school or organization. Additionally, we’re offering pre- and post-Institute social/outdoor activities to engage even more deeply with the region. Below are brief descriptions (titles, facilitators, cost and timeframes) of the various offerings. Add any of these activities onto your Institute experience during registration! Return to Winter Institute 2026 PagePre-Institute Workshops & ActivitiesMaryland Favorites Cooking Class Baltimore Chef Shop is an award winning one-of-a-kind teaching kitchen in the heart of vibrant Hampden, a food-lover's haven in the city of Baltimore. Celebrate local flavors while you learn to make traditional Maryland Favorites. Menu-based classes are collaborative. Class finishes with a sit-down meal. We invite you to join in a hands-on cooking class where you can learn the techniques of professional chefs. Learn from the best through their award-winning cooking school.
National Museum of African American History and Culture 
A visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. is a powerful and moving journey through centuries of resilience, struggle, and triumph. From the sobering history of slavery and segregation to the vibrant contributions in music, sports, art, and politics, the museum offers a comprehensive and deeply human story of the African American experience. Through immersive exhibits, personal artifacts, and multimedia displays, visitors gain a greater understanding of the central role African Americans have played in shaping the nation. It’s not just a museum—it’s an essential American story told with honesty, dignity, and inspiration. Participants will be picked up at the hotel and transported 50-70 minutes to the Washington, DC Mall via activity bus. National Aquarium Visit & Healthy Harbor EcoTour
Patapsco Valley State Park Hike
Post-Institute ActivitiesExplore the American Visionary Art Museum In 1984 museum founder, Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, had“ the idea for a unique new museum and education center that would emphasize intuitive creative invention and grassroots genius” and thus the Visionary Art Museum was born. Learn more about their permanent exhibits, which includes “Bling Universe". Visit the galleries, on us! If you enroll when you register, we will provide you with a FREE ticket. Looking for something to do between lunch and our Happy Hour? This may just be the thing. The museum is walking distance from the hotel and Happy Hour location: 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230.
Patapsco Valley State Park Hike Friday, January 30 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 Friday, January 30 | 4:30 PM - 7:00 PMNow open in the newly remodeled Cross Street Market, Watershed is a classic Maryland seafood house serving some of the region’s signature dishes, including steamed hard-shell crabs. An expansive rooftop deck provides an intimate outdoor experience in the heart of Federal Hill, complete with a covered bar, gaming area and projector screen for sports viewing. Happy hour menu goes from 3:00-6:00 pm. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Behavioral First Responder Certification with Alpenglow Education Cost: $289 for the Level 1, $349 for Level 2 (which includes Level 1) | Min/Max: 12-20 participants Register Now
Unique for this Offering: participants can extend their learning by staying for Level 2 on Sunday, which dives deeper into behavioral theory, systems thinking, and advanced strategies for program managers and returning staff. Take one or both—certificates are issued for each level completed. No prior mental health training is required, but participants should have experience working with groups in outdoor or experiential settings. This is an academic course, all abilities welcome. Whether you’re a trip leader or a camp director, BFR gives you the tools to lead with confidence and care. **Attendees must register on the Alpenglow Education website to participate Return to Winter Institute 2026 Page |
Witness how urban green infrastructure projects have transformed Baltimore's waterways! 
If arriving early, come join for a wonderful, local hike at Patapsco Valley State Park, Maryland’s oldest state park, is renowned for its blend of natural beauty, history, and recreation. Spanning over 14,000 acres along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, it offers diverse trails, scenic views, and tranquil forests. The park features historic landmarks like the Thomas Viaduct, the first curved multi-span masonry railroad bridge in the U.S., and iconic swinging pedestrian bridges. It also includes remnants of early American industry, such as the Avalon Iron Works. With its rich history, engineering marvels, and outdoor opportunities, Patapsco is a unique and treasured destination near Baltimore.