Up close and personal: Muddy Sneakers introduces students to nature
Students lean in for a closer look after finding a beetle on the greenway near Overton Elementary. Wednesday was the group’s first experience day with Muddy Sneakers, an environmental education nonprofit that partners with seven Rowan-Salisbury Schools. Photo by Rebecca Rider/Salisbury Post
Just a few days after Hurricane Florence blew through, Overton Elementary in Salisbury, NC, ventured out on its first day of Muddy Sneakers programming for the year.
Salisbury Post education reporter Rebecca Rider joined the Overton Explorers on their journey along the Greenway as the fifth graders learned about leaving no trace and respecting wildlife — and discovered the joy of learning outside.
It’s a dewey Wednesday morning as Overton Elementary fifth graders hike through the Greenway. Their sneakers leave trails in the wet grass as they veer off the path to peer into puddles, pick up leaves or lean in close to examine ants, spiders or beetles.
