Learning through adventure

Rabbi Daniel Moses is on a mission to elevate Jewish education—one child, one hike, and one moment of wonder at a time. With over 20 years in the classroom, an M.Ed., AMI Montessori certification, and a reputation for warmth and honesty, he’s helped students grow not just academically, but personally. As Founder and Lead Guide of Uru Adventure, he brings learning outdoors, blending Torah, nature, and confidence- building experiences that stick for life. From guiding youth at KMS to inspiring kids across the DMV, his message is clear: when you meet kids where they are—and take them somewhere great—they rise.

How did Uru Adventure start?

We created Uru Adventure as a response to a need in the community for alternative extracurricular programming beyond organized sports, that provides physical activity and social connection for elementary school-aged children. It began with Sunday programming, which consisted of weekly local hikes, and eventually morphed into a summer camp. The goal of all programming, regardless of the format, is to give children the opportunity to explore nature independently, gain skills and confidence in the outdoor environment, and connect to the people and environment around them. The inspiration for the name of our camp comes from Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Teshuvah 3:4, where he writes that the message of the shofar is to “עורו ישנים משנתכם… וזכרו בוראכם” — wake up those who slumber and remember your Creator.

Our goal is to give children a break from the typical programming of their lives and provide an encounter with the inherent spirituality of nature on their own terms.

What draws children to your program?

We firmly believe that the skills and experiences we offer are valuable for any child, however, the children intrinsically drawn to our program are those who are interested in being active, are curious, and enjoy exploration. Since we give children more choice and freedom in how they choose activities, children who crave more personal autonomy enjoy Uru Adventure. Specifically, children who love climbing trees, running in the forest, throwing rocks in creeks, digging in mud, building fires, clambering over rocks, breathing fresh air, feeling humbled by the array of Hashem’s handiwork, being involved with a group that welcomes them non-judgmentally and tries to bring out their best qualities are attracted to Uru Adventure.

How do children benefit from outdoor education?

Children gain internal confidence through accomplishing obtainable goals. The actual experience of completing a long hike, or walking through a natural setting in the rain fills children with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Children learn how to observe the world as it is and perform useful survival tasks through their own hard work. They learn to see the splendor and complexity of the beautiful world Hashem has created for us and understand their small place in it.

What skills do children develop?

Children learn how to communicate with one another in constructive ways as they work as a team to complete a hike or task together. They develop physical strength and stamina. Children also learn survival skills and how to assess risky situations. As children are bombarded with varying messages of how to assess risk, gaining experience with how to think of risk independently and with guidance is invaluable in the modern world. Many of the activities we do with children also develop skills of observation, analysis, and appreciation. Exploration, curiosity, and awe are all qualities that children need nurtured, and that they can gain through activities in nature.

How accessible are these outdoor activities?

An important goal of Uru Adventure is to inspire children and their families to take the adventurous spirit beyond our guided programs. We aim to make the activities we do accessible and sharable. There is some investment in a decent pair of shoes and some rain gear for specific weather situations, but the main cost is time, curiosity, and a positive attitude towards exploration. A story that emerged multiple times and embodied so much of what we are aiming to accomplish, happened during the Covid shutdown when children who attended Uru led their families on local hikes.

There are innumerable adventures and microadventures waiting for children and families to discover wherever you look.

What should parents look for in a program?

Uru Adventure was created to help fill a void for physically challenging programming with a non-competitive, explorative spirit for children. At the time, in our community, there were children who craved and needed this type of program. When deciding on how to complement your child’s school experience, think of what the child’s interests and developmental needs are. It may be different from what you want or experienced yourself. But if we nurture the unique healthy interests and souls of our children in ways that honor the way they were created by Hashem in a constructive way, we will only help develop them into fulfilled and happy people who will have the strength to fulfill their tafkid in life.

Explore current Uru Adventure programs ↗