Bono, AR – Contributed – Lighthouse Education Cooperative has partnered with Barton’s, one of three home improvement brands within the E.C. Barton & Company family, to build the Lighthouse Nature Observatory Deck.
The deck will be a dedicated outdoor space where students will explore, observe, and learn through direct engagement with the natural world.
Scheduled for completion in Fall 2026, the covered observation deck will accommodate approximately 20 students at a time and serve as an extension of Lighthouse’s classrooms.
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Teachers will use the space for science, nature study, reading, journaling, small-group instruction, life skills, and reflective learning. Leadership at Lighthouse hopes the space provides students with new opportunities to cultivate curiosity, attentiveness, and a lifelong appreciation for the world around them.
Outdoor learning is a defining part of the Lighthouse experience. Students spend two to three hours outside each day, where they build practical skills, strengthen relationships, and engage in meaningful learning through nature.
“Our students flourish when they have opportunities to explore, observe, ask questions, and connect with the natural world,” said Dr. Max Stabenow, executive director of Lighthouse Education Cooperative. “The Nature Observatory Deck will give our teachers another intentional space to cultivate curiosity and wonder while supporting the unique needs of every student we serve. We are grateful to Barton’s and the entire E.C. Barton & Company family for investing in our students and helping make this vision a reality.”
Barton’s has a long history of investing in the communities it serves. A permanent sign displayed at the completed deck will recognize the collaboration.
The sign will read: “Materials Proudly Donated by Barton’s. Built by Families and Volunteers of Lighthouse Education Cooperative.”
Construction will begin this fall, with progress updates shared as the project progresses.
Lighthouse Education Cooperative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving families of children with autism and other developmental needs. Through a combination of academic instruction, therapy services, and social skills development, Lighthouse creates a supportive atmosphere where every child can flourish.
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