The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), in partnership with the governor’s Imagination Library, added another storybook trail to Belmont’s Barkcamp State Park this week.
Currently, the state has 12 half-mile Storybook Trails in its parks. Each state park has 16 child-height panels with pages from a children’s book and activities on the page’s text.
Launched in 2019, The Storybook Trail program is a way to increase literacy and entice children to learn.
Storybook Trails promote both physical and mental development with Ohio’s most scenic areas as the backdrop,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “There’s no better place to explore, learn, and grow together than the great outdoors, and we’re excited to provide kids and their families with more opportunities for adventure.”
At the Barkcamp State Park storybook trail, the story featured is “When the Storm Comes” By Linda Ashman, telling the tale of how animals prepare and ride through a storm, then their actions after it.
“I encourage Ohio families to explore the new Storybook Trail at Barkcamp State Park,” said Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine. “Reading is one of the single greatest things we can do for and with our children and all of the young people in our lives. Reading on a Storybook Trail in a beautiful state park setting is even better!”
ODNR said the Imagination Library currently has 321,565 children enrolled. The program provides one free book every month to children enrolled from birth to five years old.
This article originally appeared on Spectrum News 1.
Did you know about the cool new storybook trail at Barkcamp State Park? It’s got interactive activities and puzzles based on the featured book, making it a fun and educational experience for kids and families.