Indiana Natural Resources Foundation Can Fund Park Field Trips

Educators can submit applications to receive financial help to take students on field trips to Indiana's state parks.

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(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana Natural Resources Foundation is giving financial help to educators who are interested in taking K-12 students on field trips to an Indiana state park or state-managed lakes during the 2019-2020 school year.

Grants are available for public, private, parochial, or home-schooled educators with the maximum being $250 per application through the Discover the Outdoors Fund.

“The Foundation’s mission is to celebrate and preserve Indiana’s natural legacy, this grant gives children an adventure that showcases some of Indiana’s natural and cultural treasures and teaches the importance of protecting and preserving them for everyone to enjoy,” said Jody Kress INRF director.

Indiana has 24 state parks and eight state-managed lakes eligible for field trip funding that will engage students in learning about Indiana’s fish, forest, wildlife, and much more.

Since the grant program’s start in 2013, a total of 135 grants have been awarded, providing the opportunity for more than 10,000 students to visit state park at less cost to the schools and students.

“These trips help children understand how previous generations viewed the significance of Indiana's natural and cultural resources, and at the same time let them make great memories that they will carry into adulthood,” said Ginger Murphy, deputy director for stewardship for DNR State Parks. 

Applications are accepted now through June 30 prior to the school year for which the grant is requested.

Indiana Natural Resources Foundation is also accepting donations to the fund from individuals, businesses, or anyone who supports the idea of getting kids outdoors.

You can find the grant at IN.gov/inrf/educate.html.