Arizona families using Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds now have a new outdoor learning destination to explore. The Barefoot Trail, the nation’s first grounding park just outside Flagstaff, is now an approved ESA vendor.

ESA funds can be used to purchase daily admission, season passes, and educational materials, making the park a unique option for hands-on, nature-based learning.

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“This is about more than walking barefoot,” said Leah Williams, founder of The Barefoot Trail. “We’ve created a space where kids unplug, move, and get curious about the world around them.”

More than 85,000 Arizona students were enrolled in the ESA program last school year. The Barefoot Trail gives families another way to customize learning outside the traditional classroom.

How ESA funds can be used:

  • Direct Pay: Select “The Barefoot Trail Foundation” in ClassWallet and upload your invoice.
  • Reimbursement: Pay out of pocket and submit your receipt.
  • Prepaid ESA Debit Card: Use the card, then upload your receipt in the system.

To support educational use, the park is launching a new STEAM-aligned activity booklet this August. Topics include reflexology, grounding science, and nature reflection designed to meet curriculum requirements while keeping kids engaged outdoors.

The Barefoot Trail is grounded in six core values: natural movement, hands-on learning, outdoor therapy, youth empowerment, grounding and healing, and sustainability. It welcomes students of all learning styles, including homeschool, microschool, and hybrid models.

“My kids loved the freedom to explore,” said a recent parent visitor. “We used ESA funds to make it part of our science week. They were asking to come back before we even got to the car.”

In addition to ESA eligibility and the upcoming STEAM booklet, recent upgrades to The Barefoot Trail include new swingsets, natural play zones, and improved reflexology stations along the trail. 

“Our kids need more than screens and worksheets,” said Williams. “They need sunshine, dirt under their feet, and the chance to learn by doing. That’s what we offer—and now ESA families can be part of it.”

The Barefoot Trail is open WED THRU SUN through Oct. 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at www.thebarefoottrail.org. Flexible pricing starts at $14 for adults and $12 for children when booked online, or $15 at the gate. Children under 2 are free. Group rates are available at $10 per person for parties of 10 or more. Seasonal passes and gift cards can be purchased for future visits.