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Little Eagles ‘Born Learning Trail’ blends fun and education

Home / Stories / Little Eagles ‘Born Learning Trail’ blends fun and education

A young child gets ready to jump from one hopscotch square to the next on the Born Learning Trail in Madison.

One bright shape leads to the next on the sidewalk near Madison-Marietta-Nassau (MMN) Elementary School in Madison. The Born Learning Trail is a series of 10 designs that offer fun, interactive learning for young children. On Madison’s trail, kids and their grown-ups can follow along with animal tracks, a sunrise, a slide, a swing, hopscotch, bugs, birds, bubbles, a butterfly and more.

A community effort for kids

Installed last summer by Little Eagles Daycare, the project received support from Madison Community Foundation (MCF) with a $1,000 grant. This grant helped jump start the community project, with the Madison Arts Council and community volunteers – including kids! – putting forth the labor to make it a success. The child care, preschool, Kidstime school-age care program, MMN school, and community have all be able to enjoy this free, fun learning tool. 

Children sit inside the outline of bubbles painted on the sidewalk as part of the Born Learning Trail in Madison.

Brittany Engesmoe is a Little Eagles Daycare Parent Board Member and part of the Madison Arts Council. She credits the MCF grant along with other donations for making the trail a reality.

“When it comes to schools and daycares, budgets are tight. Grant funding is a mainstream source to make the extra projects and ideas that involve our youth actually happen,” Brittany said. “Local community foundation grants are a special type of grant. Knowing these grant funds come from local donors that believe in the things happening in our small town of Madison is really special and it is truly an honor to receive a grant on behalf of them.”

Support for child care solutions

Child care is a priority for MCF, which has a dedicated fund to help support Little Eagles Daycare. Little Eagles serves 75 children, allowing their parents to live and work in the Madison area. 

A young child raises their hands while sitting on the picture of a swing painted on the sidewalk as part of the Born Learning Trail in Madison.

“Madison is proud to have Little Eagles here. It helps draw people wanting to move back to Madison,” said MCF Board Chair Lynn Zimmerman. “As everyone knows, daycare is major issue in small rural communities. The Madison Community Foundation is committed to working with the community to help our young families thrive.”

The Madison Community Foundation was established in 2001 to create meaningful ways for neighbors and friends to give back to the community they love. This year, board members approved more than $12,000 dollars for projects in Madison. In addition to the Little Eagles Child Care Fund, they also started a special fund for updates to the Grand Theater. Opened in the early 1940s, the Grand’s colorful marquee is impossible to miss on Main Street. It’s a great place to have in Madison for entertainment, Lynn said.

Making a difference in Madison

Since its inception, MCF and its related funds have granted more than $717,000 to support local organizations, community projects, and students in Lac Qui Parle County.

“There are many things the foundation has helped with over the 20 years we have had a foundation in Madison,” Lynn said.

Our network of 31 community foundations supports passionate people with the resources to make positive change. A team of local advisory board members guides each community foundation by fundraising, recommending grants, telling stories of good work happening locally and promoting their town.

Showing appreciation for child care providers

Child and early care professionals are critical to economic mobility. They allow primary caregivers to work and support their families. They help children with learning and development of lifelong skills. They help ensure employers can attract and retain talent. They have a direct impact on the quality of life in our communities!

National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day is the Friday before Mother’s Day each May. Celebrate this year by trying one of our five tips to recognize a local child care provider you know, or come up with your own idea. In the words of family-based child care provider Carol Rothmeier, “A simple gesture goes a long way!”