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Trek & Treat is back with a brand-new route, fun prizes, and a $150 Early Bird incentive if you register by October 1

Game on! The Tysons Trek & Treat Fall Challenge returns this week, running October 2 through November 1. Participants can walk, bike, or roll through Tysons while checking in at stops, earning points, and redeeming them for prizes.

Hosted by Tysons Community Alliance (TCA), the free mobility challenge features five walkable and bike-friendly routes—including a brand-new route this season!—for a range of ages and abilities. Explore The Boro on the Yellow Route, wander past Arbor Row and Tysons Galleria on the Green Route, stroll Scott’s Run Trail and Capital One Center on the Red Route, or take on the Orange and Purple routes by bike or wheels.

There’s no app to download, so just choose a route, grab your phone, and start exploring.

And there’s a good reason to sign up now: pre-register by October 1, and you’ll automatically be entered to win a $150 Experience Tysons e-gift card, redeemable at participating businesses throughout Tysons.

Explore More, Earn More

As you make your way through Tysons, be on the lookout for Trek & Treat check-in stickers posted at stops along each route. Scan the QR code on each sticker to check in, earn points, and keep moving toward your next prize.

While racking up points, you can earn prizes including wireless earbuds, a Bluetooth speaker, an OGIO backpack, Metro SmarTrip cards, portable chargers, and more. Participants can also earn Experience Tysons e-gift cards, including $300 for the Tysons Trailblazer grand-prize winner, $250 for second place, and $200 for third place.

Register and complete at least one check-in by October 10, and you’ll also receive an exclusive “I Trekked Tysons” t-shirt.

So whether you’re looking for a fun way to get outside, discover new corners of Tysons, or earn prizes along the way, Trek & Treat offers plenty of reasons to explore this fall. Registration is easy at tysonsva.org/exploretysons/gameon.

Tysons Trek & Treat Fall Challenge runs October 2–November 1

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For nearly three decades, one event has united Fort Belvoir’s sprawling community of soldiers, families, retirees and civilian employees like no other: Oktoberfest. This September, the tradition continues — and grows — with the 28th Annual Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest, running September 24–27 at a brand-new location, Pullen Field, 9625 Middleton Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Hosted by Fort Belvoir Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), the four-day festival is the installation’s largest annual event and one of the most beloved in the Northern Virginia military community. Best of all? General admission is free — no tickets required to walk through the gates and enjoy four days of German tradition.

Four Days, Something for Everyone

Whether you’re a polka devotee, a carnival enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates a good bratwurst, the schedule has you covered. The fest kicks off Thursday, September 24 (6–10 p.m.) with live performances from the Fritz Polka Band and the Sepp Walzer Fest Band. Friday (4–11 p.m.) brings an expanded lineup, including a captivating performance by the Alt-Washingtonia Schuhplattler Verein, a traditional German folk dance group, alongside more live music and DJ sets.

Saturday (noon–11 p.m.) is the festival’s longest day, featuring a full rotation of performers including Johnny Koenig and Leroy Burks, plus special contests (more on those below). The celebration wraps up on Sunday, September 27 — Military Appreciation Day (noon–8 p.m.) — with a fitting send-off honoring the men and women who make this community what it is. All Active Duty Military and their dependents can purchase a carnival wristband for $27. Must present valid Active Duty Military ID Card for discounted wristband.

New This Year: Contests, a Sensory Area and a Fresh Setting

Longtime attendees will notice a few exciting additions in 2026. The festival is making its debut at Pullen Field, adjacent to the Bowling Center — a new venue that opens up even more options for a full day out, including bowling and American cuisine for anyone looking for a break from the German revelry.

The crowd-favorite Stein Holding Contest (ages 18+) and Costume Contest (all ages, with Dirndl & Lederhosen and Kinder categories) return on both Saturday and Sunday inside the fest tent. And in a thoughtful new addition, the event will feature a dedicated sensory area for families who need a quieter moment away from the excitement — a small but meaningful touch that reflects MWR’s commitment to serving the whole community.

Authentic German cuisine, specialty food trucks, beer on tap, and Oktoberfest merchandise — including Bavarian mugs, glass boots and traditional hats — round out the experience. Carnival rides are available for a separate ticket fee, purchased on-site.

Plan Your Visit

The event is open to active duty personnel, retirees, civilian federal employees and their guests. Parking is free and in lots surrounding the event. Members of the general public may attend as sponsored guests. Because the festival is held on the installation, all visitors must plan for gate access in advance. Non-DoD ID holders aged 18 and older need a sponsored visitor pass and should submit their applications at least 72 hours before arriving. The Visitor Control Center at Tulley Gate can assist with questions. For access details, visit https://home.army.mil/belvoir/about/installation-access

For the latest updates on food vendors, entertainment and access details, visit belvoir.armymwr.com.

Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest is presented by USAA, with support from Wegmans, Potomac Music, First Command, Brain Treatment Center and Embassy Suites by Hilton, Springfield. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Army or Fort Belvoir.

Nearly four in five parents say their child brings home mostly B’s or better. We built a K-8 math program, and when we assess children, about 8 in 10 turn out to be at least a full grade behind in some area of math.

Most children are behind somewhere

In our first study, about 6 in 10 of the children we assessed were two or more grades behind somewhere, usually in one or two areas.

Is our test simply hard? No. Our results are close to those of the federal NAEP test, which finds only about 1 in 4 US eighth graders proficient in math.

How good grades hide gaps

A child who has learned this week’s steps can get the worksheet right without knowing why they work. That is often enough for an A or a B, until a test asks for more.

Homework looks fine too, since it practices the topic just taught. Neither shows the missing earlier skill, so extra practice goes to this week’s topic, not the gap underneath.

Even Virginia’s state test can reassure too easily: a 2026 federal study put its 2022 fourth-grade “proficient” bar in math among the nation’s lowest.

Why gaps get bigger

Math builds on itself, so a missing skill does not stay small. Kindergartners we assess are almost never behind, but from third grade on, more than 9 in 10 have a gap somewhere. Research agrees: children who start behind tend to fall further behind, and fifth graders’ grasp of fractions predicts their high-school algebra results.

What trips children up

Our second study looked at more than 10,000 answers from more than 250 children who recently signed up for Level Up, including questions from earlier grades.

The misses were not math in general: basic multiplication and division facts mostly held up. What tripped them up was a few topics from a grade or two earlier, the ones this year’s math is built on: second-grade subtraction at the end of fourth grade, fourth-grade fraction word problems at the end of fifth, and fifth-grade decimal ordering at the end of sixth.

Fractions kept coming back: among children finishing seventh grade, about 8 in 10 of those asked missed fifth-grade fraction word problems.

What closes a gap

One child in our study, just out of fifth grade, missed a fourth-grade fraction question and its fifth-grade version. Practice started with the fourth-grade topic. Within two weeks, the child had mastered all nine of its skills, then four from the fifth-grade version.

That is the approach: find the real gaps, start at the deepest one, and practice each skill from three sides:

• Identify: recognize the idea, like picking which picture shows three quarters.

• Construct: build the answer yourself, like marking three quarters on a number line.

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Get your lederhosen and dirndls ready! Fort Belvoir Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) is thrilled to host the 28th Annual Oktoberfest, a four-day festival celebrating German culture, food, and family fun from September 24–27 at its new location, Pullen Field.

This highly anticipated community event brings the spirit of Bavaria to Fort Belvoir with authentic German cuisine, beer, and lively music. The festival features a thrilling carnival, a scenic Volksmarch 5K/10K Walk, and activities for the entire family. It’s an unforgettable experience for everyone!

Event Schedule:

• Thursday, Sept. 24: 6–10 p.m.

• Friday, Sept. 25: 4–11 p.m.

• Saturday, Sept. 26: noon–11 p.m.

• Sunday, Sept. 27 (Military Appreciation Day): noon–8 p.m.

What to Expect:
From the sounds of traditional German music to the tastes of bratwurst and pretzels, Oktoberfest offers a multi-sensory experience. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of food and beverages, shop for unique Oktoberfest merchandise like Bavarian mugs and hats, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The carnival will be running throughout the festival, offering fun rides and attractions for all ages. Ride tickets will be sold onsite, with discounted wristbands for Active Duty and their family members on Military Appreciation Sunday.

Plan Your Visit:
Oktoberfest is located at Pullen Field (9625 Middleton Road) on Fort Belvoir. All visitors aged 18 and older without a valid DoD or military ID must obtain a visitor pass in advance. To ensure smooth access, please arrange for your sponsored pass at least 72 hours prior to your visit. Free parking will be adjacent to the event area. For the most up-to-date information on installation access, vendor lists, and entertainment schedules, please visit the official website at belvoir.armymwr.com.

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:
Fort Belvoir Family and MWR extends a heartfelt thank you to our presenting sponsor, USAA, and all our valued sponsors for their incredible support in making this community event possible.