“In the beginning, it was all about science. I had been volunteering for several years in the land conservation community and was asked to support Muddy Sneakers by a close friend I’d met along the way. The program would teach 5th graders in public schools their science curriculum in the forests and fields of North Carolina. Well, how could I turn that opportunity down?! I had been working alongside some very dedicated staff and volunteers to help preserve land in our state for future generations. Many of us had worried aloud that the next generation of North Carolinians might find themselves in front of a phone screen or a video game instead of in a canoe or on a bike exploring these special places. What would become of this land in 50 years if the local population didn’t know it and support its existence?
Luckily, there was a movement afoot! The book, Last Child in the Woods, had just been published, and some folks in the mountains were motivated to create a program to get our North Carolina schoolchildren engaged with nature. One goal was to improve test scores; another goal was to spark a lifelong interest in science and nature.
Well, now here we are, 12 years later. Those initial goals were met and are still being met, even during this challenging pandemic. The kids enrolled in the Muddy Sneakers program did improve their test scores, and many of the children did become lovers of nature. But other “side effects” of the program are what made my heart really sing.
The kids who had explored places like DuPont State Forest and the Uwharrie Mountains returned with their families on the weekend to show their parents and their friends what they had learned. They reported back to our staff that some of their parents had never been to these parks, even though they were just miles from home. The children were leading the way. The students felt comfortable guiding their families to these places after engaging with our knowledgeable and talented Muddy Sneakers instructors.
Another reward of the program is seeing the next generation of conservation leaders emerge in the state. Former Muddy Sneakers students are now out in the world working in science-related jobs and are showing up to volunteer for conservation causes.
So much for worrying about the kids and the land!
Since that first phone call asking for my help, I have donated time and money, served on the Board of Directors, helped find other donors and qualified staff members, and currently, I am serving on the Piedmont Advisory Council. Each time I dig in to help Muddy Sneakers, I come away feeling hopeful about the future.
I grew up getting my sneakers muddy in the Foothills’ rich soil, between the Catawba River banks and the Linville Gorge’s shadows. That time and place shaped me into a passionate advocate for helping our children discover the wonders of the natural world. I am thankful that Muddy Sneakers gives me a place to put my energy and resources. I give to Muddy Sneakers, and Muddy Sneakers gives back to me and my state.
Thanks to all of you who have given time and resources to Muddy Sneakers. I hope the return on your investment brings you as much joy as it has to me.”
For more information on how to make your own meaningful gift, visit our donate page here.
