TurfMutt's Free Curriculum Combats Kids' "Summer Slide"

As the final bell rings at schools across the country, the TurfMutt Foundation offers its free environmental educational resources to parents, educators and caregivers to help combat summer learning loss (a.k.a. “summer slide”). The Foundation’s lesson plans feature the popular TurfMutt cartoon characters to teach kids in grades K-8 about STEM concepts.

"Summer months are crucial for kids’ academic success,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which has advocated for the use and care of green spaces for over 15 years. "By exploring the outdoors and learning about nature – through our curriculum and in the green space around us – kids can continue to develop critical thinking skills and retain knowledge in a fun way."

The PlayPort at award-winning Waterfront Park, which is also home of the TurfMutt Great Lawn, serves as an example of a dynamic outdoor learning environment in public green space. The PlayPort pays homage to the Ohio River’s rich cultural and industrial heritage with authentic artifacts converted to play structures and plenty of green space surrounding the playground for kids to explore.

"Children are naturally curious, and places like the PlayPort provide a hands-on way for them to observe, experiment, and understand the world around them, reinforcing the principles taught in our curriculum," says Kiser. “It’s the power of parks in action.”

The TurfMutt curriculum is designed for students in grades K-8 and includes a variety of resources that can be integrated into summer camps, home-based learning activities, and community programs. Download the TurfMutt lesson plans here or on the USGBC Learning Lab.

Check out the TurfMutt Foundation’s International Backyarding Fact Book to learn more about the power of parks and other green space around us.

Sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with “backyarding” tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation here.

Look for Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television and Mission Unstoppable shows on Saturday mornings.