United Way joins City of Greenville on second Born Learning trail

Nicholtown Neighborhood Association President Yvonne Reeder at the new Born Learning Trail

United Way of Greenville County and the Young Philanthropists were part of a special dedication

United Way and the YPs joined the construction effort by installing a Born Learning Trail along the picturesque offshoot of the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

With an eye toward promoting the importance of early childhood learning experiences in preparing young children to be ready for school, YPs — a group of United Way donors age 40 and younger who contribute $1,000 or more annually in support of United Way programs and initiatives — chose the installation of Born Learning trails as one of its community outreach projects. 

"Children are born learning," said YP Council member Stephanie Flynn, who joined city and neighborhood officials for the trail's ribbon cutting ceremony. "What they learn depends on the experiences they have each and every day and it’s up to us – as parents, caregivers and the community – to provide those experiences. Learning can happen anywhere at anytime – at the grocery store, in the car, at the bank, and right here on the Sliding Rock Creek trail."

The Born Learning Trail includes nine stations that offer interactive learning experiences for young children and their parents and caregivers.

"The stations are designed to help boost language and literacy skills of young children - and encourage families to take an active role in their child’s early learning," said Flynn. "No special tools are needed. It’s free. It’s researched-based. And it’s fun."

Also in collaboration with the City of Greenville, United Way launched the first Born Learning Trail at Cleveland Park in front of the Greenville Zoo in April, 2011.

The Born Learning campaign is a key component of the United Way of Greenville County and its School Readiness Council’s overall effort to ensure all Greenville County children start school ready to succeed – meaning all children start first grade on track in the five key developmental areas of communication, cognition, physical development, social/ emotional development, and self-help skills.