Summary: Install twp Born Learning Trails in Brookings County, SD to provide free, accessible, educational play for children and caregivers
Born Learning Trails turn everyday moments into learning opportunities. From Birth, children are constantly learning, and what they learn during those formative years depends on experiences they have each and everyday. Families and children in a community, however, don't have equal access to developmental play opportunities. Born Learning is a research-based, public engagement campaign that helps parents, grandparents and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.
Born Learning Trails are a series of 10 reinforced signs (available in English and Spanish) that offer fun, active learning activities for young children and their families. These colorful, full-metal signs can be installed in a few hours with the help of volunteers. The signs are thick metal with round corners and include a protective UV laminate coating and anti-graffiti protections. The Born Learning Trail Kits are made of the same material as street signs and will hold up to most weather conditions.
The Brookings Rotary Club seeks a grant to partner with the Brookings Area United Way (BAUW) to install two Born Learning Trails in Brookings County public parks in the Fall of 2019. Each of the signs will include the Rotary and BAUW logos, and Rotary will also be recognized in print and social media outlets, as well as in a planned ribbon-cutting and opening for the first Born Learning Trail in Brookings County. (Currently, South Dakota only has five trails--near Yankton, Aberdeen and Huron.)
Installing two Rotary Born Learning Trails in Brookings County will increase access to basic education and literacy for some of the most vulnerable children in our community. Rotary members will volunteer to install the signs, and their partnership with the Brookings Area United Way will be prominently recognized in media, as well as on each trail sign.
Completed
This project is "Completed". This means the project has been implemented and the report was accepted by the district leadership. The project will stay listed on this website as a testimony of the achievements of the project partners.
System Entry: Pledge of $1,250 by Don Norton of the Rotary Club of Brookings, District 5610.
19-Jul-19
by Don
System Entry: Project sent for club signatures.
19-Jul-19
by Don
System Entry: Project signed by Don Norton.
19-Jul-19
by Darla Biel
System Entry: Project signed by Darla Biel.
23-Jul-19
System Entry
System Entry: Project signed by Jennifer Soma.
21-Aug-19
by Bruce A Young
System Entry: Project approved by the District Approval Committee.
27-Aug-19
by Bruce A Young
The Rotary Foundation has approved this grant and your check will be sent out as soon as funds are received, probably next week. Please double-check to make sure that the proper mailing address is provided here for sending the check.
11-Sep-19
by Bruce A Young
System Entry: Check for DDF payment issued by Foundation Treasurer.
30-Mar-20
by Darla Biel
The City of Brookings, with input from the Brookings Rotary Club, has selected two parks in Brookings for the Born Learning Trails: Larson Park and Valley View Park.
Installation will be determined by weather and by whether or not Park and Recreation staff are permitted to work (due to quarantine restrictions.)
The Brookings Area United Way is ordering trail signs this week, and is in direct communication with the City about selecting an installation date that will work for all.
27-Jul-20
by Darla Biel
Born Learning is an initiative of United Way Worldwide to deliver evidence-based learning and play activities to children and caregivers. The Rotary Club of Brookings purchased two Born Learning Trail kits (10 signs each) from United Way Worldwide. Each sign was branded with both UW and Rotary Club logos, and the trails were installed in July at Hillcrest Park and McClemmans Park in Brookings. The sidewalks were painted using stencils that accompanied the sign kits, and volunteers still plan to add more decorative elements. Once social distancing requirements are eased, The Brookings Rotary Club will host a public event to celebrate the new park additions. Social Media and press releases highlighted Rotary's contribution to this project.
2-Feb-21
by Darla Biel
Two Born Learning Trails were installed in Brookings City parks as described in the project proposal. The public reception was delayed due to Covid, but the Rotary Club of Brookings will host that this summer after a musical sculpture project that District 5610, the local club, and the Brookings Public Art Commission is partnering on is installed in a third Brookings Park.
2-Feb-21
by Darla Biel
System Entry: Final Report signed by Darla Biel.
2-Feb-21
by Don
System Entry: Final Report signed by Don Norton.
16-Jun-21
by Bruce A Young
System Entry: Final Report signed by Jennifer Soma.
1-Dec-21
by Don
System Entry: Final report approved by the District Approval Committee.