with Sara Kominers & Project Koru

Join other young adult cancer survivors (those in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s) for a morning of hiking at the National Arboretum.

If you need a ride or are willing to drive other participants, please let us know.

The hike is suitable for all levels and will end with a bring your own picnic lunch – so pack something delicious to eat (we’ll have a cooler to store it). Plan to wear comfortable walking shoes, athletic pants, and non-cotton layers. Bring plenty of water and a hat and sunglasses for added sun protection, in addition to sunscreen.

The event will run until approximately 12:00pm (we plan to finish the hike around 11:00am and enjoy a picnic lunch for an hour). For more information about the meeting location, please RSVP.

*NOTE: This hike is open to young adult cancer survivors in their 20s, 30s and early 40s and their guests (friends and family welcome to attend with their loved one).


This hike is co-hosted by Project Koru.

Project Koru enriches lives through community and the outdoors as a way to move forward beyond cancer. Young adults diagnosed with cancer face a unique set of challenges. With the right support, the weight of these challenges can be mitigated; that’s why we exist!

This event has been postponed. To be notified when it is rescheduled, please email Olivia at olivia@smithcenter.org.

Cost to Participate: $15 per person (paid at the rock climbing center)

This program is being offered in-person. In order to participate, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing Olivia at programs@smithcenter.org.

Offered in partnership by Smith Center for Healing and the Arts and Hope Connections for Cancer Support

Join us for an exciting and empowering rock climbing experience designed specifically for young adult cancer survivors (YACS). Rock climbing is a dynamic and rewarding activity that promotes physical strength, boosts confidence, and fosters teamwork. Whether you’re new to climbing or have prior experience, this program offers something for everyone.

Connect with others in the YACS community while challenging yourself and having fun in a supportive, encouraging environment. Friends and family are welcome.

Come climb, build strength, and celebrate your resilience!

Dress Code: Please wear athletic clothing and comfortable sneakers. Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks to keep energized throughout the session.

If you have any questions or concerns about participating, please contact Chase Neese at programs@smithcenter.org

Please Note: This program is open to young adult cancer survivors in their 20s30s and early 40s and their friends and family. 

LOCATION

Sportrock Climbing Centers

5308 Eisenhower Ave.

Alexandria, VA 22304

DATE/TIME

Saturday, May 10

5:00-7:00pm EST


Cost to Participate: $15 per person (paid at the rock climbing center)

While most of our programs are typically offered free or at a low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis, this event will require a $15 donation to help cover the time of the climbing instructors at Sportrock, who will be staffing the event. Please note that you will not need to pay when you register through the Smith Center website for the program. Instead, payment will be made directly to the Rock Climbing Center, Sportrock, on the day of the event.

Thanks to the generosity of Sportrock, we are able to offer day passes at this discounted rate. We appreciate your understanding and support!


About Sportrock

Sportrock strives to be a teaching gym that delivers world-class routesetting, exceptional educational programs, and high quality fitness options to support climbers now…and for the future of the sport. That commitment began in 1994 and continues today.

AND they DO IT ALL FOR COMMUNITY!

From the group of founders who were simply interested in having an indoor climbing gym, they could use year-round – to the incredible staff, extraordinary routesetters, remarkable members, and curious guests – their community is the reason they keep the lights on 363 days out of the year.

​Sportrock loves fostering and supporting the local community and are committed to making climbing accessible to everyone through inclusive and adaptive events.  They also donate their services to hundreds of schools and organizations each year.

Follow them on Instagram HERE !

This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.

With Chef Kara Garrett

Join other young adult cancer survivors around the table to share a delicious meal and good conversation at Smith Center’s Annual Friendsgiving Celebration. Chef Kara will present traditional holiday flavors with a healthy spin in easy-to-follow recipes. You will learn how to make a 5-Minute Mug Cake and add this healthy dessert to your cooking repertoire for a fast and easy sweet treat anytime. We will enjoy your cakes along with a full menu provided by Chef Kara. This year’s menu* includes:

  • Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
  • Oven Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Pistachio Pesto & Ginger Sweet Potato Puree
  • Spelt Focaccia Bread
  • 5-Minute Cinnamon Mug Cake

Partners/Caregivers/Friends are welcome to attend. The supper club will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 participants. Please RSVP no later than Thursday, November 14th to confirm attendance. When registering, please indicate any guest(s) that will be joining you. If you are interested in assisting Chef Kara prepare the meal, please contact us at programs@smithcenter.org or 202.483.8600.

*Please notify us in advance to accommodate any dietary allergies, sensitivities, or preferences. Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability and class size. Every individual’s needs are unique. We aim to offer a variety of health-promoting options for each individual to consider, but do not prescribe the specific dietary content of any program for anyone.

Address: 

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Suggested Donation: $30


About Chef Kara Garrett

Kara Garrett Cancer Support Program Coordinator

Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.

This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.

With Chef Kara Garrett

We’re thrilled to announce that our Supper Club is back! Join other young adult cancer survivors around the table to share a delicious meal and good conversation at Smith Center’s Friendsgiving. Chef Kara will present traditional holiday flavors with a healthy spin in easy-to-follow recipes that can be used to impress friends & family. You will learn how to make fresh pasta* dough, roll out sheets, cut, and assemble your own pumpkin ravioli. We will enjoy your ravioli creations along with a full menu provided by Chef Kara. This year’s menu includes:

  • Pumpkin Ravioli
  • Warm Wild Rice Salad with Curry Roasted Squash
  • Maple Roasted Carrots with Golden Cashew Cream
  • Spiced Apples with Quinoa Nut Crunch

Partners/Caregivers/Friends are welcome to attend. BYOB. The supper club will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 participants. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, November 1st to confirm attendance. When registering, please indicate any guest(s) that will be joining you. If you are interested in assisting Chef Kara prepare the meal, please contact us at programs@smithcenter.org or 202.483.8600.

*Please contact us in advance to accommodate egg or gluten restrictions for pasta, as well as any other dietary allergies or preferences. Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability and class size. Every individual’s needs are unique. We aim to offer a variety of health-promoting options for each individual to consider, but do not prescribe the specific dietary content of any program for anyone.

Address: 

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Suggested Donation: $15


About Chef Kara Garrett

Kara Garrett Cancer Support Program Coordinator

Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.

This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.

With Chef Kara Garrett

We’re thrilled to announce that our Supper Club is back! Join other young adult cancer survivors around the table to share a delicious meal and good conversation at Smith Center’s Friendsgiving. Chef Kara will present traditional holiday flavors with a healthy spin in easy-to-follow recipes that can be used to impress friends & family. You will learn how to make fresh pasta* dough, roll out sheets, cut, and assemble your own pumpkin ravioli. We will enjoy your ravioli creations along with a full menu provided by Chef Kara. This year’s menu includes:

  • Pumpkin Ravioli
  • Warm Wild Rice Salad with Curry Roasted Squash
  • Maple Roasted Carrots with Golden Cashew Cream
  • Spiced Apples with Quinoa Nut Crunch

Partners/Caregivers/Friends are welcome to attend. BYOB. The supper club will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 participants. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, November 1st to confirm attendance. When registering, please indicate any guest(s) that will be joining you. If you are interested in assisting Chef Kara prepare the meal, please contact us at programs@smithcenter.org or 202.483.8600.

*Please contact us in advance to accommodate egg or gluten restrictions for pasta, as well as any other dietary allergies or preferences. Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability and class size. Every individual’s needs are unique. We aim to offer a variety of health-promoting options for each individual to consider, but do not prescribe the specific dietary content of any program for anyone.

Address: 

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Suggested Donation: $15


About Chef Kara Garrett

Kara Garrett Cancer Support Program Coordinator

Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.

This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.

With Chef Kara Garrett

We’re thrilled to announce that our Supper Club is back! Join other young adult cancer survivors around the table to share a delicious meal and good conversation at Smith Center’s Friendsgiving. Chef Kara will present traditional holiday flavors with a healthy spin in easy-to-follow recipes that can be used to impress friends & family. You will learn how to make fresh pasta* dough, roll out sheets, cut, and assemble your own pumpkin ravioli. We will enjoy your ravioli creations along with a full menu provided by Chef Kara. This year’s menu includes:

  • Pumpkin Ravioli
  • Warm Wild Rice Salad with Curry Roasted Squash
  • Maple Roasted Carrots with Golden Cashew Cream
  • Spiced Apples with Quinoa Nut Crunch

Partners/Caregivers/Friends are welcome to attend. BYOB. The supper club will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 participants. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, November 1st to confirm attendance. When registering, please indicate any guest(s) that will be joining you. If you are interested in assisting Chef Kara prepare the meal, please contact us at programs@smithcenter.org or 202.483.8600.

*Please contact us in advance to accommodate egg or gluten restrictions for pasta, as well as any other dietary allergies or preferences. Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability and class size. Every individual’s needs are unique. We aim to offer a variety of health-promoting options for each individual to consider, but do not prescribe the specific dietary content of any program for anyone.

Address: 

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Suggested Donation: $15


About Chef Kara Garrett

Kara Garrett Cancer Support Program Coordinator

Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.

with Sara Kominers & Project Koru

Get Active on the Klingle Valley Trail | goDCgo

Join other young adult cancer survivors (those in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s) for a morning of hiking at Beverly Triton Nature Park in Edgewater, MD.

If you need a ride or are willing to drive other participants, please let us know.

The hike is suitable for all levels and will end with a bring your own picnic lunch – so pack something delicious to eat (we’ll have a cooler to store it). Plan to wear comfortable walking shoes, athletic pants, and non-cotton layers. Bring plenty of water and a hat and sunglasses for added sun protection, in addition to sunscreen.

The event will run until approximately 12:00pm (we plan to finish the hike around 11:00am and enjoy a picnic lunch for an hour). For more information about the meeting location, please RSVP.

*NOTE: This hike is open to young adult cancer survivors in their 20s, 30s and early 40s and their guests (friends and family welcome to attend with their loved one).


This hike is co-hosted by Project Koru.

Project Koru enriches lives through community and the outdoors as a way to move forward beyond cancer. Young adults diagnosed with cancer face a unique set of challenges. With the right support, the weight of these challenges can be mitigated; that’s why we exist!

This program is also offered in partnership with:

.    .   


Social Distance and Mask Policy

For this hike and picnic, we will be outside the entire time and encourage participants to maintain adequate physical distance during the program. We encourage those who are unvaccinated to wear a mask while participating in the hike. For those that are vaccinated, masks are optional based on your comfort level.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, please register by emailing Stephanie Stern at stephanie@hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Kara Woodshank

offered in partnership with:

During this talk, participants will explore ongoing strategies to define and use purpose. Through reflective writing practices, this interactive workshop will explore purpose, why purpose matters, and how to find and live with purpose.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, please register by emailing Stephanie Stern at stephanie@hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Jessica Parker, M.A., CCC-SLP

offered in partnership with:

“Chemo Brain” is a term used to describe difficulties with word-finding and memory, often experienced during and after chemotherapy.

Jessica Parker, M.A., CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist. She will discuss the benefits of cognitive rehabilitation, and give you tips for making small changes to your daily routine that will have a big impact on your thinking skills and brain health.

This hike was originally scheduled for 03/23 and was rescheduled to this date due to weather.

with Sara Kominers & Project Koru

Get Active on the Klingle Valley Trail | goDCgo

Join other young adult cancer survivors (those in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s) for a morning of hiking at Klingle Valley Trail and Tregaron Conservancy in DC.

The hike is suitable for all levels and will end with a bring your own picnic lunch – so pack something delicious to eat (we’ll have a cooler to store it). Plan to wear comfortable walking shoes, athletic pants, and non-cotton layers. Bring plenty of water and a hat and sunglasses for added sun protection, in addition to sunscreen.

The event will run until approximately 12:00pm (we plan to finish the hike around 11:00am and enjoy a picnic lunch for an hour). For more information about the meeting location, please RSVP.

*NOTE: This hike is open to young adult cancer survivors in their 20s, 30s and early 40s and their guests (friends and family welcome to attend with their loved one).


This hike is co-hosted by Project Koru.

Project Koru enriches lives through community and the outdoors as a way to move forward beyond cancer. Young adults diagnosed with cancer face a unique set of challenges. With the right support, the weight of these challenges can be mitigated; that’s why we exist!

This program is also offered in partnership with:

.    .   


Social Distance and Mask Policy

For this hike and picnic, we will be outside the entire time and encourage participants to maintain adequate physical distance during the program. We encourage those who are unvaccinated to wear a mask while participating in the hike. For those that are vaccinated, masks are optional based on your comfort level.