Blue Mountain School is on the last leg of its Outdoor Learning Lab project, which is the completion of the lab for the youngest classroom, the Early Childhood Education class, known as the Amethysts.
The non-profit private school in Floyd serves children from preschool to middle school, offering a range of programs, including immersive forest experiences and vibrant summer camps, all designed to foster comprehensive growth in young learners, according to Blue Mountain news release.
Fundraising efforts are now underway to facilitate the completion of the lab.
Research by the National Institute of Health has demonstrated the numerous benefits of outdoor learning for students. It enhances academic performance, with studies showing that students who learn outdoors outperform their indoor-learning counterparts on standardized tests, according to the release.
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Blue Mountain School has a focus on outdoor learning.
Blue Mountain School is unique in its approach, with dedication to a mission that education extends beyond traditional academics, according to the release. The Contemplative Progressive philosophy emphasizes not only intellectual growth but also emotional, physical, and spiritual development. This approach ensures that BMS students become well-rounded individuals equipped with critical thinking skills, creativity, and a deep sense of empathy and community responsibility, according to the release.
The service-learning component of the program further instills a sense of responsibility and community care within students, with past initiatives including food drives, clothing and coat drives, and volunteering at local organizations such as Plenty! and the Humane Society.
GiveLocalNRV 2024 is an opportunity for individuals to support Blue Mountain School through convenient and secure online donations. GiveLocalNRV, an initiative by The Community Foundation of the New River Valley, serves as a platform uniting nonprofits, donors, volunteers, and local businesses in support of the community.
The highlight of GiveLocalNRV is the annual giving day, a 24-hour event where the New River Valley community comes together to support local nonprofits. Since its inception in 2014, GiveLocalNRV has raised nearly $3.6 million for local causes, demonstrating the immense generosity and solidarity within our community. The annual giving day event takes place from June 26 at noon to June 27 at noon with early giving starting on June 1. More can be found at givelocalnrv.org.
