Metro DC DSA prioritized outdoor political education in the past years because of the lingering threat of the Covid-19 pandemic and the continued need to bring people together to learn in as safe of a manner as possible --and because it is an excellent way to convey history and theory connected to geography. The training will cover all aspects related to holding safe outdoor political education with a focus on walking tours. The training will cover what topics work for a Walking Tour, how to conduct sign ups, and how to route tour attendees to continuing education and organizing. It will also cover logistical details such as how to coordinate supplies, volunteer roles and attendee reminders, arrange content, and follow up. We will share a draft checklist and sign up template for outdoor political education with anyone who attends the training. 

Metro DC DSA has hosted 4 Walking Tours in 2021 and 2022, each attracting 80+ attendees. The tours presented original research from both academic experts and Chapter members -"Walking Tour of DC's Policing Landscape" on 1/30/21, "Badges Without Borders" on 4/12/22, "Housing and Displacement" on 7/27/22, and Washington DC: Capital of Neoliberalism" on 9/17/22. The Chapter also held a Socialist Night School Teach-In on reproductive rights on the Supreme Court steps on 6/4/22 after the Dobbs case was decided. More than half of the sign ups for the Walking Tours are new to the Chapter or are Chapter members and interested in getting more engaged -making them an important organizing tool to sustain the Chapter and campaigns of socialist organizing in DC. We are hoping to train both those looking to initiate or modify outdoor political education in their regions, and comrades in the DC area looking to take a larger role in helping Metro DC DSA with planning and organizing walking tours.