Families in Nature Learning Day set for Saturday at D&E
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ELKINS -- Wonder & Grow, a non-profit organization that promotes outdoor recreation, education and wellness for youth and adults in Randolph County, will host its second annual "Families in Nature Learning Day" on Saturday.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at the August Pavilion on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. Families are encouraged to attend the fun-filled morning that will feature a host of outdoor activities.
"We had a great turnout at last year's event and even though it was pouring rain, we still had a ton of people come out," Wonder & Grow CEO Kate Reed told The Inter-Mountain. "We had a really good time last year and we wanted to do it again. The goal of the event is to connect families with the outdoors so that they can get out and explore Randolph County."
Those attending the event will have the opportunity to explore local trails, enjoy a hike, learn the basics of fire building, savor a delicious s'more, discover local pollinators, experience West Virginia yoga, meet Woodsy the Owl, connect with local Master Naturalists, and learn about outdoor education in Randolph County Schools.
"We will have a little bit of everything for everyone and we are really excited about a walk we will be doing that will feature some of the new trails that are being built up at D&E College," Reed said. "We really want to highlight that the trail system is going to add so much to the community.
"From there, Wonder & Grow will be leading mindful fire building and we will have a fire pit at the top of the trail where we will roast marshmallows. So, even if you're not a kid, it's really going to be fun and we hope a lot of people come out and join us."
Wonder & Grow coordinates with the Randolph County Board of Education to offer the Randolph County Outdoor Education Program in the county's schools. As part of the program, students take part in outdoor activities during day-long trips away from school.
"We have an invested interest in connecting people to the outdoors because we have so much to offer," Reed said. "We see the value in getting kids outside and when we take them to places like Stuarts Park, many of them tell us they've never been there before.
"So, we see the program as an opportunity to not just connect students in Randolph County to those amazing places, but also help them learn skills that will help them be successful and resilient by being outside and doing things that are really fun.
"We are now in our third year of the program and we've been able to expand from just fifth grade students, to now second, third, fourth, and fifth grade," Reed said.
Organizations taking part in Saturday's event include: U.S. Forest Service, WVU Randolph County Extension Service, Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, West Virginia Master Naturalist Tygart Valley Chapter, Elkins Area Shared Trails, and Davis & Elkins College.
"We are thankful to the many different organizations who are coming together to help make this a great event," said Reed.
For more information about Wonder & Grow, call 304-940-8156 or visit www.wonderandgrow.org. Information can also be obtained on the organization's Facebook page.