Kids and their families will be having a little extra fun when walking from Eastsound towards North Beach.

Orcas Family Connections and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program have joined forces to create the “Orcas Born Learning Trail” to promote early childhood learning.

“Learning happens everywhere a child goes, but parents, grandparents and caregivers may not always know how to support that learning,” Erin O’Dell, Family Advocate for OFC, said. “When Mom and Dad, Aunt Amy and Grandpa take their favorite young child for a walk on the Born Learning Trail, they will be able to play fun games together that will help the child come to school ready to succeed.”

An opening ceremony for the trail was held on June 28; kids and parents enjoyed complimentary snow cones and checked out the interactive signs.

The trail starts at the intersection of School Road, Prune Alley, and North Beach Road, and proceeds north, ending at the beach area. It consists of a series of learning activities that any adult can play with young children, like looking and learning, singing, reading, skipping and jumping, and exploring. Based on the latest early childhood research, the trail is designed to help adults interact with children to boost language and literacy development and to help caregivers understand how to best support early learning in outdoor everyday moments.

The signs were placed on 4”x4” posts last week, to the west side of the existing walking path. The local Girl Scout Troop, Terra Firma NW, and volunteers performed the installation.

Sponsors of the signs include Orcas Island Family Medicine, Orcas Family Health Center, Orcas Medical Center, Treehouse Pediatrics, San Juan Visions Source, Terra Firma NW, Dr. Brenda Ivans DMD, Dr. Steven H. Bailey DMD, The Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island, Orcas Island Community Church, The Seventh Day Adventist Church of Orcas Island, Kaleidoscope, Orcas Island Children’s House, Orcas Montessori School, Salmonberry School, School of the Salish Sea.