National Park Foundation Funds Powerful and Innovative Learning Opportunities During Second Half of School Year – PRNewswire

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --With students and teachers settling back into school after winter break, the National Park Foundation (NPF) is excited to announce 92 Open OutDoors for Kids grants to connect children to meaningful learning experiences with parks across the country. Open OutDoors for Kids is a program within NPF's Youth Engagement and Education initiative.

National parks are America's largest classrooms and NPF seeks to connect as many kids as possible to them.

"National parks are America's largest classrooms, and Open OutDoors for Kids seeks to connect as many kids as possible to them," said National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth. "With parks, learning is fun, memorable, and hands-on. Parks open kids' eyes to the wonder and complexities of nature and history, sharing diverse perspectives that offer a wider understanding of our country's progress and struggles."

At the core of Open OutDoors for Kids, NPF is making educational experiences in parks more accessible for all people, with a specific focus on children who live in communities that are striving to overcome a lack of resources to offer innovative learning opportunities for students. Programs such as Open OutDoors for Kids also help students, teachers, and families feel safe and supported as they explore national parks.

"Education and access are central to the National Park Service mission and we are grateful to the National Park Foundation for their continuous work to bring unique national park experiences to students and teachers through the Open OutDoors for Kids program," said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams.

This school year, NPF is partnering with the National Park Service, Expeditions in Education, and National Park Trust to support educational experiences, both in-person and virtual, across the country. Programs supported by NPF include:

"We are honored and grateful to receive this grant from the National Park Foundation, and eager to provide high-quality, curriculum-based programming to local youth," saidBirmingham Civil Rights National Monument Acting Superintendent William (Bill) Reilley.

Viewthe full listof NPF Open OutDoors for Kids grantee projects for the 2021/2022 school year.

Thanks to partners and donors, NPF is investing more than $2.3 million in its Open OutDoors for Kids program in fiscal year 2022, including support from Youth Engagement and Education premier partner Union Pacific Railroad and supporting partner GoGo squeeZ. Additional funding is provided by Alicia and Peter Pond, Apple, Columbia Sportswear, Sierra, Parks Project, Humana, The Batchelor Foundation, Inc., and many other donors.

Since 2011, NPF has engaged more than one million students in educational programs connecting them with national parks across the country. NPF's goal is to connectanother one million studentsto parks by the end of the 2024-25 school year.

"Sparking the wonder that comes from exploring a national park whether it's in person or virtually is something Union Pacific is proud to have helped students nationwide experience, as we partner with NPF to create the next generation of adventurers and environmental stewards," saidUnion Pacific's Senior Vice President Corporate Relations, Chief Administrative Officer and Foundation President Scott Moore. "These new Open OutDoors for Kids grants fuel that sense of adventure as we work toward our joint goal of helping another one million students experience all that our national parks have to offer."

Individuals, foundations, and companies can support NPF's Open OutDoors for Kids program by visiting theNational Park Foundation website.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible.Learn more at nationalparks.org.

Endnote

The majority of funding for this program supports fourth grade students atTitle I schools. These schools receive financial assistance through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to help ensure students have the resources to meet academic standards. Nationally, school districts in high-poverty communities have thehighest total Title I allocations per eligible student. Schools in these communities are less likely to have the resources to engage national parks and outdoor education into student curriculum.

SOURCE National Park Foundation

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National Park Foundation Funds Powerful and Innovative Learning Opportunities During Second Half of School Year - PRNewswire