The FORT is a safe, healing, community space for young people in middle and high school to find connection, make friends, be themselves without pressure, and participate in fun, experiential workshops and activities that help them deal with the stresses of everyday life.
The FORT experience
©
In addition to games, brief group discussions and free activity time, all participants will engage in two workshops that vary each time they attend the FORT, exploring expressive arts, mindfulness, nature or animal assisted therapy, and movement/physical activity.
All workshops are designed specifically to focus on building resilience through positive messaging and holistic experiences that allow participants to learn new tools and strategies that can be used in moments of heightened anxiety, stress or sadness.
Upcoming dates at The FORT
May 17th, 1:00 - 4:00pm
Sterling Community Center
120 Enterprise St, Sterling, VA
Transform your mindset through creativity and connection. Sign up today to build your own toolkit for mental wellness.
WORKSHOPS EXPRESSIVE ARTS: Build Your Mindful Menu of Calming Resets In this interactive workshop, teens will explore simple activities that support emotional balance and healthy habits. Through grounding breathing, mindful stretching, a creative bookmark craft, and a guided visualization, participants will practice ways to calm their minds and bodies. They’ll finish by creating their own personalized “Mindful Menu”—a list of healthy activities they can turn to when feeling stressed, bored, or overwhelmed. NATURE: Creating Your Unique Chimes of Strength Just like every chime creates a different sound, each person brings their own unique strengths. In this creative workshop, teens will design and build their own wind chimes while reflecting on the qualities that make them who they are. As they create, teens will explore strengths like creativity, patience, and self-expression, recognizing how each piece comes together to form something meaningful. They’ll leave with a personalized reminder that their individual strengths matter—and that together, they create something powerful. MINDFULNESS: Flip Your Frame from Story to Strength The way we see ourselves shapes everything. In this interactive workshop, teens will explore how to shift the narrative from self-criticism to self-strength. Through a fun “trait card” discovery activity and creative expression, participants will learn how to reframe common labels into empowering strengths. Teens will leave with a personalized piece of art that reflects their unique strengths—and a powerful reminder that their story is theirs to define.
June 7th, 1:00 - 4:00pm
Sterling Community Center
120 Enterprise St, Sterling, VA
Sign up today to build your own toolkit for mental wellness.
WORKSHOPS EXPRESSIVE ARTS: Paint and Send a Postcard The simplest way to feel more connected is to let someone know you’re thinking of them. In this creative workshop, teens will paint a watercolor postcard and send it to a friend or family member to brighten their day. Through this process, they’ll explore how creativity can be a meaningful way to express themselves, strengthen relationships, and build connection. Teens will leave with a sense of how small, thoughtful actions can make a big impact—both for others and for themselves. MOVEMENT: Connection Through Movement Connection starts with awareness—of yourself and others. In this interactive workshop, teens will explore movement-based activities designed to build communication, trust, and connection. Starting with individual exercises and progressing into partner and group work, participants will practice active listening, setting boundaries, and supporting one another through simple balance and movement challenges. Teens will leave with practical tools for communication and a deeper understanding of how to connect in a healthy, supportive way. MINDFULNESS: Weave Your Own Bracelet In this mindful, hands-on workshop, teens will create a woven bracelet using colored threads to represent positive affirmations and personal strengths. As they weave, they’ll reflect on how their thoughts, experiences, and strengths are connected—and how those connections shape who they are. Teens will also have the opportunity to share and tie their bracelets with one another, reinforcing the idea that we are stronger and more supported when we stay connected. They’ll leave with a meaningful reminder that connection—to self and to others—is something they can build and carry with them every day.
Past participants: Online registration closes Friday at 5 PM (walk-ins on Sunday accepted).
New participants: New participants' parents/caregivers are required to first register, then schedule a welcome call by noon Friday before the FORT, to ensure the program is a good fit. Walk in registration is not available for first time participants.
Save the date for The FORT!
August 9th, 1:00 - 4:00pm
Location TBD
Details about the Workshops will be available soon
More Programs to explore
Meet Our FORT Facilitators
Doreen Zebdi, MA
Hello Friends! I’m Doreen Zebdi, a movement specialist with a MA in Dance from American University where I studied modern dance. Are you ready to create and move at the Movement for Well-being Workshop? I’m so excited to share my passion for movement with you! Creative dance is one way you can express how you feel without words. Movement and dance have profound connections to mental health. The best part is that there is no right or wrong. When we move more, we simply feel more. That’s because dance offers a unique avenue for emotional expression, so you can convey feelings and experiences that you just can’t put into words. Have fun moving and dancing while you hear about all the ways dance can boost mental well-being. The way you feel in your head matters. Let’s use those feelings and create an expressive outlet through creative dance. Just Move! I studied modern dance and teaching techniques from American University. I also teach barre, cycle, strength and yoga classes through her company; UnFancyFitness. I am a certified ACE® Health and Fitness Coach and AFAA® Personal Trainer teaching virtual and in-person fitness classes and 1:1 health coaching.
Hello Friends! I’m Doreen Zebdi, a movement specialist with a MA in Dance from American University where I studied modern dance. Are you ready to create and move at the Movement for Well-being Workshop? I’m so excited to share my passion for movement with you! Creative dance is one way you can express how you feel without words. Movement and dance have profound connections to mental health. The best part is that there is no right or wrong. When we move more, we simply feel more. That’s because dance offers a unique avenue for emotional expression, so you can convey feelings and experiences that you just can’t put into words. Have fun moving and dancing while you hear about all the ways dance can boost mental well-being. The way you feel in your head matters. Let’s use those feelings and create an expressive outlet through creative dance. Just Move! I studied modern dance and teaching techniques from American University. I also teach barre, cycle, strength and yoga classes through her company; UnFancyFitness. I am a certified ACE® Health and Fitness Coach and AFAA® Personal Trainer teaching virtual and in-person fitness classes and 1:1 health coaching.
Nancy McGovern, MS, RYT-500 & C-IAYT
Hi, I’m Nancy! I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health. Certifications include RYT-500 & C-IAYT. I spent three years as the District Director for the Muscular Dystrophy Association before starting my first business, Dance To You. As owner, director, and primary instructor, Dance To You’s, Kids ‘N Motion program taught dance & tumbling in area preschools for 25+ years. In 2017, I became a certified yoga teacher and began to add yoga and mindfulness to the Kids ‘N Motion curriculum. In July of 2018, Dance To You was renamed Corner of the Sky. I spent many years as a performing artist. I danced and acted professionally and have been a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild for over 25 years. I taught creative movement in area preschools for 30 years. I love spending time with my husband and grown children. The beach in St. Augustine, Florida is my happy place.
Kirsten Shabanowitz, RYT-200
Hello my friends, I’m Kirsten, a yoga and meditation teacher for kids through adults. I am a big believer in the power of yoga for both our physical and mental health. Whether we are moving, meditating, breathing, journaling or getting out in nature it is all a part of yoga and can provide our minds with a sense of calm and clarity through regular practice. Yoga practices are all about connecting to yourself and keeping expectations far away! Just like we all learn differently and at different paces, our bodies move and act differently from one another’s and there is no need for comparison. My goal is to not only teach what yoga is, but also how to apply it to your daily life in a way that makes sense for you. You can take what works and leave behind what doesn’t. I invite you to bring a smile, your sense of humor, any questions you may have and I will see you on the mat!
Dave Edwards, LPC
Hi, my name is Dave Edwards. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and the owner/clinical director of Evolve Family Counseling and Sports Psychotherapy, a private group practice in Lansdowne, VA. I have been working with children and adolescents for 36 years and have been providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults, and families in the Northern Virginia region since 2015. I work with clients of all ages, but specialize in work with children, adolescents, and families, as well as all sports performance-related issues. I played soccer at the professional level in the U.K., and have coached professionally for over 36 years. I graduated with honors from the highly accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Marymount University in 2016.
Michael Kruczkowski (they/them)
Hello, my name is Michael Kruczkowski. I have been working in public education since 2015. Prior to serving LCPS in my current role as an Instructional Technology Facilitator, I taught middle school Visual Arts for ten years. I graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelors in Art Education with concentrations in both Ceramics and Fiber Arts. I am also the music and technical director of the Lionheart Players, a middle school performing arts group. I love working with young creatives using both the visual and performing arts to express themselves and share their stories.