Mountain Roots “Branches” Into Henderson County

Logo for 'HCPS Community Partner Spotlight' featuring a red apple with a puzzle piece missing. The letters 'HCPS' are vertically aligned beside the apple, and the text 'Community Partner Spotlight' is displayed prominently across the center with blue and black accents.

Connecting Kids with Nature and Community through Outdoor Learning

Mountain Roots, Inc., a leading provider of outdoor education in Western North Carolina, is excited to announce its partnership with Henderson County Public Schools. Through its hands-on programs, Mountain Roots engages young people in experiential learning that connects them to nature, their community, and themselves.

Henderson County Public Schools have embraced the opportunity to bring these innovative outdoor learning experiences to their students. This partnership aims to connect students not only with their own schoolyards but also with the wealth of public lands in the region. Mountain Roots’ interdisciplinary curriculum enhances classroom lessons by incorporating exploration, active play, and outdoor discovery into every activity, and by doing so participants experience the best that outdoor education has to offer.Two fifth grade students looking at leaves together outside.

Throughout the 2024-25 school year, Mountain Roots will be offering 3 on-site programs and 2 field trips for all 5th grade students at the 13 HCPS elementary schools. This schedule has been adjusted to the school calendar updates from Hurricane Helene, and allows the opportunity to continue quality enrichment programs moving forward with this back-to-school transition.

Tailored Outdoor Programs for K-8 Schools

Mountain Roots was established in 2009 and has been offering outdoor and experiential education programs across western North Carolina ever since. Mountain Roots specializes in designing customized programs for K-8 students. With this model, schools have the flexibility to choose:

Which grade levels will participate
The number of lessons to be incorporated throughout the year
Specific lesson topics that align with the school’s educational goals (and state standards)

A mountain roots instructor with a backpack on talking with five students outside. The Mountain Roots admin team worked closely with the leadership of Henderson County Public Schools to develop a specific learning plan for the 5th grade students of HCPS this school year. Every program is built to enhance academic learning while fostering creativity, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of students’ surroundings.

Mountain Roots Also Offers:

Beyond K-8 education, Mountain Roots offers camps throughout the summer.

Summer Day Camps for Rising 1st-5th graders
Half-Day Camp for children aged 4-5
Roots Crew Leadership Program- Middle School counselor in training program
Mountain Roots Ramblers–Teen backpacking camp

Join the Movement

Mountain Roots continues to grow, bringing more young people closer to nature and strengthening communities along the way. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or team leader, Mountain Roots invites you to explore all the ways your group can connect with the outdoors. Schools and educators interested in developing their own outdoor education program are encouraged to reach out and start planning today! And families interested in learning more about summer camp can stay in touch through Mountain Roots media channels:

Blog: https://mountainrootsblog.com/

Website: www.moutnainroots.org,

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountainrootsinc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mountain_roots_nc/