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Contact: Dave Carney, (520) 723-3172
COOLIDGE, AZ – Casa Grande Ruins National Monument received an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF). This grant will enable development of a new education program titled “Mission: Resilience”. Through a combination of online, live virtual and in-person self-guided programming, “Mission: Resilience” will strengthen students’ mastery of six resiliency tenets while leveraging the power of place at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
Virtual education programs at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument correlate with state and national educational standards. These virtual programs not only meet the needs of the populous metropolitan communities surrounding the site they also meet the needs of students across the country who might not have a chance to experience the monument in-person. The Friends of Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, a non-profit organization that supports the park, has provided funding for the virtual field trip programming since 2020. Receiving the Open OutDoors for Kids grant will elevate our existing programming to include Social Emotional Learning, helping students to learn and connect with our site, while strengthening their resiliency in a personally relevant way.
Virtual field trip programs for Winter/Spring 2022 are offered on Tuesdays-Thursdays from January 11 through June 2, 2022. To register visit www.cilc.org and search for Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
"Field trips to Casa Grande Ruins are a highlight of elementary education for thousands of local and out of state students every year,” said Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Superintendent Ben Littlefield. “Educational opportunities create memories for students which last a lifetime. As a unit of the National Park Service, educational programs at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument provide students with an understanding of the significance of our community's history and relate that history to their own lives. This grant will allow Casa Grande Ruins National Monument to reach more students by expanding educational programming, both online, virtually, and on-site."
The new education programming will focus on the resiliency of the Sonoran Desert Ecosystem, the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People who called the desert home over a 1,000 years ago, and the continued connection of the 6 traditionally associated Native American tribes who have direct ancestral ties to our site. Completing “Mission: Resilience” will help students identify their own resilience, giving them tools to thrive in the face of challenges, foster social & emotional well-being and help them identify Casa Grande Ruins as a place of healing that welcomes them to visit with their families.
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 connect another one million students to parks over the next four years.
“National parks are America’s largest classrooms,” 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, and the National Park Foundation is committed to connecting as many kids as possible to parks through our Open OutDoors for Kids program.”
The NPF Open OutDoors for Kids program is made possible by private philanthropy, including support from Youth Engagement and Education premier partner Union Pacific Railroad, and supporting partner GoGo squeeZ. Additional support is provided by Apple, Sierra, Columbia Sportswear, Parks Project, The Batchelor Foundation, Inc., Humana, and many individual donors.
Learn more about NPF’s efforts to engage students with national parks as classrooms.
ABOUT CASA GRANDE RUINS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument protects the multi-story Great House and the ruins of other ancient structures built by the people of the Sonoran Desert over 800 years ago.
The monument is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day holidays. Directions and additional information are available on the monument’s website at www.nps.gov/cagr. You may call (520) 723-3172 or follow us on Facebook by searching for Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF CASA GRANDE RUINS
The Friends of Casa Grande Ruins is a non-profit, citizen-based organization formed to support Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and assist in the preservation, protection, interpretation, and enjoyment of the Monument for present and future generations. We are committed to helping organize local and distant support for the monument, build business relationships with the local community, and raise funds for much needed projects. Become a member and help us achieve these goals. Learn more at www.friendsofcasagranderuins.org
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 www.nationalparks.org.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for over 400 of America’s national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
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Last updated: January 4, 2022