United Way of Mid Coast Maine invites all families, parents, grandparents, caregivers, and children to come to the opening of a new Born Learning Trail in Damariscotta on Wed, Aug. 11 at noon. The trail begins at the playground at the Central Lincoln County YMCA, located at 525 Main St. in Damariscotta.
YMCA Executive Director Craig Wilson is very enthusiastic about having a Born Learning Trail in Damariscotta. “The Y is very grateful to partner once again with United Way to improve the quality of children’s health and wellness. The Born Learning Trail is a great venue for young children to explore the world around them.”
Jessica Kundrata who is an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer with the early childhood initiative Success By 6 at United Way of Mid Coast Maine coordinated the building of the Trail.
United Way also provided financial support made possible by a bequest from the Estate of Lawrence Caney to help families in Lincoln County. The CLC YMCA provided in-kind donations to make the trail a reality. Both Wilson and Kundrata are especially grateful to Damariscotta Bank & Trust for stepping up as a sponsor for the trail.
The Born Learning Trail consists of 10 brightly colored signs that provide prompts for fun activities parents and caregivers can do with young children, such as, “Listen to the birds.” Ask, ‘What are they saying? Can you sing like them?'” and “Find a flower or a tree. Touch it. Talk about it. (Is it hard or soft? Rough or smooth?)”
These activities are designed to help caregivers interact with young children in healthy activities that promote literacy, language development, and movement. The guiding signs help caregivers turn an ordinary walk into an enriching experience that will help lay the foundation for healthy brain development. The trail is located on a wooded path that extends from the YMCA playground.
This is the second Born Learning Trail United Way of Mid Coast Maine has built in the Mid Coast area. The first trail opened last summer next to the Bath Area Family YMCA. “The Born Learning Trail has been a wonderful addition to the Bath Community,” said Kevin Shute, program director at the Bath YMCA.
“It’s especially nice to have it so close to the Y. Being adjacent to our facility allows members with young children and our pre-school classes the opportunity to take advantage of this wonderful trail,” he said.
The Born Learning Trail is part of the Born Learning Campaign that Success By 6 sponsors, which provides parents and other caregivers with materials to help support early childhood development and also works to increase public awareness of the importance of early childhood.
More information can be found at www.bornlearning.org and a special newspaper insert about early childhood titled “Building for Our Future Prosperity” that appeared this spring in The Lincoln County News is available at United Way’s website at www.uwmcm.org or by calling the United Way at 443-9752.
All are welcome to attend the official opening of the Born Learning Trail on Aug. 11 at noon. Children from the YMCA summer programs will be in attendance and refreshments will be provided.
The Born Learning Trail as well as the playground at the entrance of the trail is available to the public at no charge.
