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ELKINS -- The Randolph County Outdoors Program has received a support grant from the Snowshoe Foundation.
The program, created by Wonder & Grow: Mindful Nature Experience, aims to provide sustainable outdoor educational experiences for children. The nonprofit organization will use the funds to purchase necessary equipment and educational materials, ensuring the longevity of the outdoor program.
The initiative also promises that by 2026, every elementary student in Randolph County will have participated in at least one outdoor activity, such as field trips for second- through fifth-graders, which will include a variety of activities from archery to ecology. Younger students will be introduced to nature through walks and outdoor science classes on school grounds.
Wonder & Grow is also developing a comprehensive outdoor education curriculum for students from kindergarten through fifth grade, alongside community partners.
The curriculum will integrate various subjects, including recreation, culture, history and ecology, and will address both mental and physical health. Teachers will also be offered specialized training to conduct outdoor classes effectively.
Additionally, the funding will enhance the local recreation economy by promoting outdoor education. Officials said Wonder & Grow plans to work with local businesses and organizations to encourage community participation in outdoor activities, which will support educational and economic growth.
Wonder & Grow: Mindful Nature Experience is a local organization that offers mindful outdoor programs for children and adults in Randolph County and beyond. Founded in 2018 by Kate Reed and Valerie Hart, certified Mindful Outdoor Guides, Wonder & Grow aims to help people reconnect with themselves, each other, and nature through guided walks, workshops, retreats, and special events.
The organization believes that nature is a powerful teacher and healer that can support people's
well-being, growth and joy. To learn more about Wonder & Grow and its programs, please visit www.wonderandgrow.org or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
The Snowshoe Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides financial support directly and through several local community-based organizations whose efforts target improving life quality for residents in Snowshoe, as well as Pocahontas, Webster, and Randolph counties in West Virginia, and the surrounding areas.