Thanks to the Discovering the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program, students at 22 Indiana schools will learn about nature by visiting Indiana state parks and reservoirs this school year. The grants are open to public, private, religious and home-school educators and are administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, the supporting non-profit of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
With financial help from the Indiana Master Naturalist Advisory Council, the fund was established in memory of long-time DNR employee Tom Huck who was an ardent supporter of outdoor experiences for children. The grants fund transportation costs, program fees and classroom supplies related to preparation or follow-up for the field trips.
This is the third academic year the grant program has been in effect. In its first year, the program was awarded more than $4,000 through 19 grants, benefiting approximately 1,400 kids. For the 2015-16 school year the program expects to distribute more than $5,000 through 25 grants and benefit about 1,600 Hoosier students K-12.
There are 24 state parks and 8 reservoirs eligible for field trip funding. Field trips to parks and reservoirs engage students in learning about Indiana’s fish, forest, wildlife, natural habitats and conservation.
To learn more or make a donation visit the Indiana Natural Resource Foundation website.
