Question 1

Program Overview

The 13th annual Kids to Parks Day is Saturday, May 20, 2023! National Park Trust excitedly invites kids and families across the country to participate in this nationwide grassroots movement to discover and explore America’s parks, historic sites, public lands, and waters.

As a part of the celebration, National Park Trust is pleased to once again offer our Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program. Open to students from US/US territories-based Title 1 schools (40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch) in grades PreK through 12, this grant program provides classrooms with up to $500 for distance learning experiences or up to $1,000 for in-park experiences. Applicants are responsible for meeting all school and park COVID guidelines and regulations. Funding can be used towards program fees, transportation costs, hands-on materials for remote learning activities, stewardship supplies, and any other materials needed for a robust learning experience.

This grant is designed to be student-driven, and student-teacher collaboration is a must. All applications must include a stewardship element and a park-themed educational component that focuses on either outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles, environmental education/science, or history.

Specifics & Requirements

This grant is open to all US states and territories. Participating students must be from Title I schools (40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch) in grades PreK through 12. Teachers may submit the application on behalf of their class, but direct student involvement in the application is required. One entry can be submitted per class/group of students. More than one application can be submitted per school if each proposal benefits unique students (e.g. multiple classes in one grade level).

Deadline: Applications must be submitted by February 17, 2023 by 11:59 pm HST.

Before you begin the application, make sure your proposal meets the following requirements:

Each application should include a park-themed educational component that focuses on either outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles, environmental education/science, or history. NOTE: this may be done through an in-park field trip or a distance learning experience.

Each application should also include a park stewardship element. This can be an activity or an educational lesson done at a park or at school.

Experiences that take place during May 2023 are preferred, but exceptions for other spring 2023 dates will be considered. Funding must be used by June 30th, 2023.
Winners agree to submit by June 30, 2023 the following to the Park Trust (through Cybergrants) after their experience:

1 or more paragraphs summarizing and reflecting on the experience written by the lead teacher.
NEW: 1 or more paragraphs summarizing and reflecting on the experience written by a participating student. (One summary per entry is required, but more are welcomed). Students under 3rd grade may dictate quotes to the teacher to submit. 3rd grade and up must write a summary in their own words.
Send at least 5 digital photos from your experience. Photos should include your students learning, enjoying, and experiencing your lesson or program. Photos of students using any items purchased are also encouraged. Please include your plush Buddy Bison in the pictures as well!
Additionally, teachers are required to complete a brief online survey.

Grantees Will Receive

The Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program will grant the following:

Up to $500 per classroom for a distance learning experience OR
Up to $1,000 per classroom for an in-park field trip

Each awarded group of students will also receive an official Kids to Parks Day certificate and one plush Buddy Bison, National Park Trust's woolly mascot.

Selection and Notification Process

Criteria for this grant program has been established by the National Park Trust. Based on a review and selection process, grant recipients will be announced on March 1, 2023.

Program Timeline

February 17, 2023 - Deadline for online application
March 1, 2023 - Grant notifications sent to applicants
April – May 2023 - School park experiences occur
June 30, 2023 - All collateral due to the Park Trust

Questions

Send any questions regarding this program to Emily Swanzy at ktpschoolgrant@parktrust.org.

Submit An Application

CLICK THE APPLY NOW BUTTON ABOVE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

Click HERE to PREVIEW the application for in-park experiences.

Click HERE to PREVIEW the application for distance learning experiences.