#United States #Louisville, Kentucky #NCFL #PNC Grow Up Great #Let's Learn Together Outside

Introduction

This summer, opportunities for families to engage in outdoor learning experiences abound, thanks to a collaboration between PNC Grow Up Great® and the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL). The initiative, branded as "Let's Learn Together Outside" (LLTO), offers a structured yet flexible program for children and their families, aiming to blend education with outdoor play.

Program Overview

Funded by a generous $765,000 grant from the PNC Foundation, the LLTO initiative will be piloted in various locations, including cities in Kentucky and Alabama. In 2026, the program is set to expand to Austin, Texas, following a curated selection of community partnerships. The primary goal of the LLTO program is to enhance early literacy and foster family engagement through nature-based activities tailored for children aged 3 to 5.

Learning in Nature

Research demonstrates that outdoor learning significantly benefits children's cognitive and social development. Engaging with nature helps improve problem-solving abilities, memory retention, and social skills. Furthermore, children who have regular access to outdoor environments tend to exhibit lower obesity rates and better motor skills. The LLTO program leverages these advantages by incorporating outdoor activities that simultaneously promote early literacy.

Program Structure

The LLTO is designed as a four-week program that immerses families in local outdoor settings, encouraging exploration, fun, and educational activities. Features of the program include:

• - Training for Local Organizations: NCFL provides comprehensive training and coaching to local partners, enabling effective program implementation.
• - Resource Distribution: Participants receive tools and materials to facilitate nature-based play and literacy reinforcement.
• - Collaborative Projects: Families work together on projects that promote learning through collaboration, enhancing community bonds while maximizing educational benefit.

Launch Highlights

In 2025, the program commenced in three cities:

• - Louisville, Kentucky - Partnered with Play Cousins Collective and Our Angels Childcare Center.
• - Birmingham, Alabama - Coordinated with Birmingham Public Libraries.
• - Huntsville, Alabama - Collaborated with Village of Promise.

Each location uses its surroundings to tailor experiences that foster a love of learning and nature among the children and families involved.

Voices from the Partners

Sally McCrady, President of the PNC Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm by stating, "Since the start of PNC Grow Up Great over 20 years ago, we've counted NCFL as one of our earliest collaborators in building brilliant futures for young learners." This strong partnership illustrates the shared commitment to fostering educational opportunities and family engagement.

Felicia Cumings Smith, the President and CEO of NCFL, emphasized the importance of early learning access, saying, "We believe that young children should have opportunities to learn that promote outdoor exploration, further integrating education into families’ daily lives."

Conclusion

The launch of the Let's Learn Together Outside initiative is a significant step towards making outdoor learning accessible and enjoyable for families. By intertwining nature-based learning with early literacy, PNC Grow Up Great and NCFL are equipping families with the necessary resources and guidance to ensure readiness for kindergarten and ultimately promote lifelong learning.

For families interested in joining the LLTO programming in Kentucky or Alabama, or for further information on NCFL's family learning efforts, please visit familieslearning.org.

Acknowledgments

As the LLTO initiative grows, it promises to create nurturing environments that inspire children and their families to learn, explore, and connect with one another, as well as with the natural world around them.