Fort Walton Beach families invited to explore new educational trail designed for young learners

Fort Walton Beach, Florida – A “Born Learning Trail” meant to promote early childhood education has been added by Fort Walton Beach to the Preston Hood Athletic Complex. This innovative project was made possible through collaborations with the United Way Emerald Coast, the Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast, and the voluntary efforts of students from Rocky Bayou Christian School.
Featuring ten interactive stations with amusing but educational activities for children and their families, the Born Learning Trail stretches along the walking path of the Preston Hood Athletic Complex. The path is meant to be used by preschoolers in learning activities meant to improve their social and cognitive abilities, therefore prepare them for the academic demands of kindergarten.

United Way Impact Coordinator Tammy Barrientos, who spearheaded the project, emphasized the trail’s focus on early learning.
“The target audience is preschoolers,” Barrientos said. “It’s just to get their skills ready for kindergarten. We’re trying to get them in the mindset of school, showing them that they can learn everywhere.”
The idea of the Born Learning Trail relies on children’s natural curiosity from birth. Through guided activities that support counting, identifying, and comprehending the natural world, every station on the path invites children to investigate and learn about their surroundings.

Over 20 Rocky Bayou Christian School students volunteered their time to set up the interesting stations, therefore completing the community project that is the trail installation. Two fixed musical instruments for artistic expression and a little lending library to inspire young guests’ love of reading are other interesting features.
Joining others at Ferry Park and Liza Jackson Park, this path at Preston Hood Athletic Complex is the seventh of its type in the area but is the third installation at Fort Walton Beach. From Don Stillwell Park in Allen Park to Rocky Runway in Wee Care Park, other Born Learning Trails have been set up throughout the Emerald Coast.

The city and its partners hope that along with offering educational advantages, the path should inspire families to spend more quality time outdoors, exploring and learning together. Now open to the public, the Born Learning Trail provides a special learning opportunity meant to enhance the young students of the community.