Requests for Partnerships Grow

Signs of spring are emerging from the sleepy stage of winter, and Muddy Sneakers’ students are enjoying being outside discovering the wonder of it all. From the pine and oak canopies of the Uwharrie Mountains to the rich soils and clear streams of the Pisgah National Forest, we continue to utilize some of North Carolina’s 3.9 million acres of preserved land as a learning laboratory for public school 5th graders.

The teachers we serve appreciate the support of a North Carolina standards-aligned curriculum and the expertise our instructors bring to the outdoor classroom. According to an independent evaluation conducted by North Carolina State University, Muddy Sneakers has a 100% teacher satisfaction rating. Their most recent report shows:

Students saw a 100% increase in science knowledge
Teachers reported that Muddy Sneakers:
positively impacts relationships among students as well as between teachers and students
helps students connect with nature
boosts their confidence in teaching science (indoors and out)
especially supports students who can struggle in the classroom

Muddy Sneakers student sits on log, sketching a moss-covered piece of bark in a journal. Muddy Sneakers is seeing a record number of classrooms clambering to enroll in our programs.

One of our partners, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, notes that moments of well-being, connection, excitement for learning, and teacher support are needed now as schools struggle to face the realities of post-pandemic education. Answering the call for support, next school year, we’ll provide more than 4,000 students and their teachers with multiple expedition days in nature’s classroom.

That means we need to raise $1.6 million to fulfill schools’ current requests for partnerships.

Can we count on you to help us serve these students and teachers?

Thanks to steady, generous support of our donors, we have been able to educate 23,000 5th graders over 15 years! Together we have a positive impact on some of our state’s greatest assets: our children, our schools and our natural resources. It is an honor to do this work together.

With gratitude,

David Rahahę•tih Webb

Executive Director