WNC Teen Offers Guided Hikes in Support of Muddy Sneakers

Rising West Henderson High School Senior, Jenna Watson, is making a positive impact in her community this summer. She is raising funds for Muddy Sneakers through a series of guided hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Jenna Watson and fellow hiker, Lindsay Hall, pose for a photo during one of Watson's hikes, at John Rock in Pisgah National Forest

Jenna Watson and Lindsay Hall pose for a photo during Watson’s first hike at John Rock in Pisgah National Forest

As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Watson founded Get Outside WNC in an effort to introduce others to the physical and mental benefits nature provides while raising money for local nonprofits dedicated to the outdoors. Watson describes the Blue Ridge Mountains as her “happy place”. She hopes that her hikes, combined fundraising efforts for mission-aligned outdoor organizations, will allow more members of her community to see and experience nature the same way.

Upcoming Get Outside WNC hikes are:

July 9th – Daniel Ridge Loop
July 23rd – Triple & High Falls
August 6th – Looking Glass Rock

Each hike costs $10 per person, with all proceeds donated directly to Muddy Sneakers, an organization that provides experiential outdoor education aligned to North Carolina’s essential science standards to fifth grade public school students.

Watson said, “I chose Muddy Sneakers as my first organization due to its focus on youth. My childhood was filled with happy memories surrounding nature. I’m so grateful I had exposure to the outdoors and learned how good getting outside can feel. Because of this, I felt called to Muddy Sneakers in particular. Their cause felt especially sentimental, and due to my fond memories and nature’s heavy involvement in my upbringing, supporting outdoor curriculum for children felt highly meaningful to me. Muddy Sneakers’ mission and outstanding work truly conveys the image I hope Get Outside WNC can eventually hold as well.”

“Muddy Sneakers is inspired by Jenna’s passion for the outdoors and grateful for her generosity,” said Muddy Sneakers Communications Manager, Erica Brown. “Her guided hikes are not only introducing more members of the community to the powerful impacts nature has on the mind, body, and spirit, but also spreading awareness of local nonprofit organizations with similar missions. It’s an honor to be the first recipient of Jenna’s hiking series.”

Details about each hike, including description, distance, and difficulty – as well as a link to register can be found online. Visit https://www.go-wnc.com/hikes for more information.

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About Muddy Sneakers:

Muddy Sneakers is an education non-profit that partners with public schools to supplement classroom science instruction with experiential, inquiry-based outdoor learning. Committed to measurable results, the organization provides fifth grade students multiple field experiences throughout the school year. Students develop a connection with nature, become more physically active, gain self-confidence, and increase science aptitude. Programs currently take place on 60+ nearby conserved lands. Muddy Sneakers’ highly skilled outdoor educators instruct students in small groups. Muddy Sneakers currently serves more than 3,000 students in 15 districts across the state. To date, the organization has served more than 23,000 students. For a growing number of NC’s schools, Muddy Sneakers serves as a highly anticipated capstone for children completing their elementary years. For more information, including how to sponsor student participation, visit www.MuddySneakers.org.