Find Your Park: Celebrating Nature, Learning, and Community During National Park Week

Franklin County Master Gardeners, our students roll up their sleeves at the park’s Giving Garden.

At SML Good Neighbors, we believe that learning goes far beyond the walls of a classroom. That is why across both Bedford and Franklin Counties, an entire week of our summer program is dedicated entirely to nature, giving our students the space, tools, and freedom to explore the incredible world around them.

As National Park Week arrives, we are taking a moment to reflect on what these open spaces, quiet trails, and vibrant ecosystems mean to our organization, our students, and our community.

"I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the position which he has overcome while trying to succeed." — Booker T. Washington

One of our most cherished local partnerships is with the Booker T. Washington National Monument right here in Hardy, VA. Over the years, this historic space has become a true outdoor classroom for SML Good Neighbors. Through our wonderful collaboration with the Franklin County Master Gardeners, our students roll up their sleeves at the park’s Giving Garden, learning firsthand how food grows, how soil thrives, and how taking care of the earth feeds the community.

One of our most cherished local partnerships is with the Booker T. Washington National Monument.

But the learning doesn’t end in the garden bed. Our students get to step back in history through guided museum and grounds tours, connecting Booker T. Washington’s legacy of perseverance and education to the very land he walked. And of course, no nature week would be complete without getting our boots muddy! One of the highlights for our kids every year is stepping straight into the park’s creek beds, turning over rocks, studying aquatic life, and discovering the simple joy of outdoor exploration.

One of the highlights for our kids every year is stepping straight into the park’s creek beds, turning over rocks, studying aquatic life, and discovering the simple joy of outdoor exploration.

Finding Our Park Together

The National Park Service uses the slogan #FindYourPark, and for SML Good Neighbors, we have truly found ours in these local green spaces. Having access to nature isn't just a nice perk; it is essential. These parks give our youth a place to build confidence, spark curiosity, cultivate environmental stewardship, and make memories that stay with them long after summer ends.

A Heartfelt Thank You

None of these life changing experiences would be possible without the incredible team surrounding us. We extend our deepest gratitude to:

• The dedicated Rangers and Staff at Booker T. Washington National Monument for opening their doors and sharing their knowledge.

• The passionate Franklin County Master Gardeners for cultivating both crops and young minds in the Giving Garden.

• Our untiring Volunteers and Summer Program Staff, whose enthusiasm keeps our students safe, engaged, and inspired every single day.

  
  

As we celebrate National Park Week, we encourage everyone in our SML community to step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and #FindYourPark.