By GAGE WILSON
for WCLU News
If you asked a group of Barren Countians about their favorite childhood memories, you would undoubtedly hear a variety of responses—riding bikes, catching fireflies, or making mud pies. However, one common thread would likely connect these recollections: they all take place outside.
In a recent presentation, Mammoth Cave’s education supervisor, Jennifer Schackleford, highlighted a study revealing that children, on average, spend more than seven hours a day on screened devices. She also pointed to a significant decline in time spent outdoors for recreation. “Because of that, I think it is so amazing that we are able to just get kids outside,” she said enthusiastically.
Earlier this year, Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park was awarded an Open OutDoors for Kids Grant of $89,763 by the National Park Foundation. The funding supports Exploring Mammoth Cave Through CaveServation Education: In-person and Remote, a program that aims to connect students to Mammoth Cave National Park through innovative and accessible educational experiences.
The National Park Foundation and National Park Service evaluated grant applications based on their use of the “three-touch model” and adherence to multi-disciplinary learning standards. These criteria ensure that classroom education aligns with the immersive experiences students will have at the park.
Mammoth Cave’s in-person educational programs serve the Barren River Area Development District, a 10-county region that includes Barren County and its neighbors.
Thanks to the grant, thousands of students will engage with Mammoth Cave through various methods, including in-person field trips, virtual programs, classroom activities, and newly developed podcasts about the park. The podcasts, created in collaboration with the nonprofit Healthier Generation, expand the park’s reach even further. Schackleford shared the success of a recent virtual program about freshwater life, which attracted thousands of viewers across the U.S. and Canada.
While the park’s influence spans international borders, it also provides unique educational opportunities for local students. According to Barren County Schools administrator Brittanie Cleveland, “They [Mammoth Cave] provide programming for most of our schools during the day. Several teachers throughout the district utilize that.”
This interaction extends beyond the school day. Cleveland added, “They also provide after-school programming for each school throughout the year, and they have hosted evening programs for family events.”
This year, approximately 3,000 students—primarily 4th graders—will visit the park free of charge. Additionally, the grant will fund a teacher workshop in March 2025. Open to 10 elementary teachers, the workshop will focus on integrating arts and humanities into their curricula using resources from Mammoth Cave.
