On Sunday, June 2, Thrive Outside is hosting a fresh air family fun day from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol.

The day will include Music by Jon Tyler and the Kickemuit Middle School band; Food and drinks by Two Gals Cocktails, as well as kids activities and various vendors.

All proceeds from the event will go toward the construction of Kickemuit Middle School’s Outdoor Learning Zone.

What is an Outdoor Learning Zone?
It is a dynamic space where teachers can easily take their students for hands-on outdoor learning.

Outdoor Learning Zones, coupled with outdoor education training for teachers, have been proven to promote academic success, pro-environmental behaviors, and healthy emotional/physical development among youth. They also expand access to outdoor learning opportunities for students with physical disabilities and students facing other barriers.

What will be special about the KMS Outdoor Learning Zone?
What began as a vision by former KMS 8th grade science teacher, Amy O'Donnell, to create a meadow for her students to study environmental science and to learn earth stewardship, became a full-blown project six years ago. The local nonprofit, Thrive Outside, was hired and a vision was created with input from teachers, students and administrators.

The full vision includes the following spaces for nature immersion and learning: Meadow Walk, Growth Garden, Creativity Space, Reset Space, Outdoor Learning Adventure Area and the Flex Space.

The KMS Outoor Learning Zone also addresses sustainability and climate resiliency through the creation of native meadow and woodland habitats, and green building and stormwater mitigation practices. Central to the entire project is the desire to address equity in access to nature. 24% of the school’s student population is economically disadvantaged and 17% are minorities, both of which have been traditionally marginalized with limited access to natural spaces.

The Bristol Warren Regional School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, National origin, color, disability or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Who will pay for this and how much will the vision cost?
The Outdoor Learning Zone will be paid for using grant money, donations and sponsorships. So far, KMS has received a $100,000 grant from the Rhode Island Department of Education and a $10,000 grant from the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, however an additional $190,000 is needed if the full vision will be realized.

KMS has a team of teachers working on additional grants and Thrive Outside is helping the school connect with businesses and donors who believe in the importance of outdoor and environmental education.

When will it be built?
Construction will take place throughout the summer.

Have questions or want to help out with the June 2 fundraiser? Contact Shannon Rozea at shannonrozea@thriveoutside.info