College and University Programs
Bring Your School Group to The REED Center
Hands-On Conservation, Learning, and Leadership
Looking for a meaningful and immersive experience for your students? The REED Center welcomes college and university groups for environmental service, field-based learning, and leadership programming that makes a real impact.
Why Bring Your Group to The REED Center?
Real Impact: Participate in ecosystem restoration through activities like reforestation, invasive species removal, and land conservation.
Educational Experience: Dive into topics such as permaculture, biodiversity, and ecological restoration with guidance from experienced practitioners.
Team Building & Leadership: Strengthen group cohesion through collaborative outdoor challenges and shared accomplishments.
Hands-On Learning: Engage directly in conservation initiatives like riparian forest restoration while gaining practical ecological knowledge.
Memorable Adventure: Experience a fun, immersive trip filled with hands-on activities, reflective conversations, and a welcoming community—creating lasting memories and deeper environmental awareness.
What to Expect
Flexible Group Options: We host half-day, full-day, or multi-day experiences for groups of various sizes.
Guided Programming: Our team provides tools, instruction, and facilitation for a safe, educational, and meaningful experience.
Scenic & Inspiring Location: Learn and serve in a beautiful natural setting nestled in Maryland’s diverse landscapes.
Recent Highlight: William & Mary Field Course
Students from William & Mary’s Institute for Integrative Conservation visited The REED Center as part of their Sustainable Food Systems course. Their immersive field experience included ecological site tours, discussions on indigenous food sovereignty, and hands-on participation in our ongoing agroecology projects—bridging classroom learning with real-world impact.
Other Recent Impact: UCONN HASB
In March 2025, UCONN Honors Across State Borders (HASB) students helped plant 600 native plants across 3 acres as part of a riparian forest buffer restoration funded through an NRCS grant. Their contribution accelerated the project’s progress and supported our grant timeline with the State of Maryland.
Reviews From Students and Staff
Erica Garroutte, Institute for Integrative Conservation, William & Mary
"The REED Center offers more than just education—it offers transformation. It’s a place where learning happens not only from books or lectures, but from the land itself, from the wisdom of Indigenous chefs and scholars, and from the deeply-rooted traditions of community and food. During a recent William & Mary student field trip, we witnessed education in its most holistic form: grounded in place, connected to culture, and inspiring a greater purpose. Ben led us on a journey through the land, our field classroom, where we learned about the ecological processes, the food all around us, and the ways in which we open our minds to learn from nature to restore and reintegrate ourselves into the ecological systems. The Traditional Eastern Foodways Alliance partners guided us through an experience collecting, cooking, and learning from Indigenous food traditions that blended science, storytelling, culture, and self-discovery. We came to learn about regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, and Indigenous food systems—but we left with something even greater: a profound sense of connection to each other, to the food we eat, and to the land that sustains us all.
On our drive back to Williamsburg, students reflected not only on ecological restoration and food systems, but also on what it means to heal, to belong, and to be part of a larger whole. In over a decade of working in higher education, I have never seen students so wholly invited into a community—one that honors mutual learning, respect for nature, and the power of food to nourish both body, spirit and connection. The REED Center is not just growing food—it is growing future leaders who understand that restoring ecosystems and communities begins with listening, with learning, and with respect."
🌟 Judith O. (March 2025)
"I had an amazing time at the REED Center during an alternative spring break service trip! I loved being able to truly engage with the outdoors in a hands-on way, which included planting trees and removing invasive roots. Everyone we met there is extremely knowledgeable and deeply passionate about what they do, which made the experience even more meaningful. It’s such a beautiful place, and I definitely hope to be back again!"
🌟 Grace X. (March 2025)
"We volunteered with REED Center for our large group service project, and it was an incredible experience! Everyone was so welcoming, knowledgeable, and passionate about their work, and our volunteers found it to be very educational and grounding. This place is magical—we were so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with the REED Center, and we would love to come back in the future!"
🌟 Leighanna F. (March 2025)
"Spent the last week volunteering here and honestly could not have imagined a better experience. It’s very clear that Ben, Josh, and Jared all love what they do, and I’ve been extremely lucky to be able to immerse myself in this experience. I have learned so much from them, and I can’t wait to come back again!"
🌟 Dinyar U. (March 2025)
"I went to the REED Center as part of a service spring break trip and was amazed at how much Ben and all the other workers knew about plants and sustainable food cultivation. We all got our hands dirty planting trees and digging holes for dams. Ben even opened our ears to the indescribable soundscapes of the ecosystem around us! I will definitely be coming back here whenever I pass through Maryland again."
🌟 K A (March 2025)
"I had the privilege of volunteering here for three days helping plant trees, which proved to be an incredibly fulfilling experience. Ben and Josh are masters of agricultural knowledge and are doing incredible work to farm sustainably. This is an absolutely beautiful site with even more remarkable people."
🌟 Coco (March 2025)
"The REED Center is an amazing experience! We took a group of college students, and they loved learning from Ben, Josh, Jared, and the whole team. They are very knowledgeable and had a wealth of experience to share with us. This was such a transformational experience for everyone. If you are thinking about visiting the REED Center, doing service learning here, or just want to be in a healing space, coming here will be one of the best decisions you'll make!"
🌟 Michelle E. (March 2025)
"Amazing!! We went here for a service trip, and it was honestly the coolest experience ever!"
🌟 Elena P. (March 2025)
"This is the best place I have been blessed to see in my life. Truly an eye-opening, riveting experience that transcended any of my expectations—spectacular tour!"
Interested in Planning a Trip?
We’d love to collaborate with your department, class, or student organization—whether you're planning an alternative break, field course, or retreat-style experience. The REED Center offers a unique opportunity to connect learning with the land, and we’re here to help you shape a meaningful program. Just fill out the quick form below and we’ll be in touch soon.
