Sleeping Bear Dunes Receives Field Trip Grant from the National Park Foundation

Date: September 25, 2017

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) was selected to receive a 2017 field trip grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America’s national parks. This grant will allow fourth grade classes the opportunity to explore the National Lakeshore on a snowshoeing adventure for free and learn about winter ecology, snow science, and more in a hands-on, experiential format. This grant, part of the NPF Open OutDoors for Kids program, supports the Every Kid in a Park.

"I can still remember the excitement of exploring my first national park as a kid and it made me want to discover more," said NPS President Will Shafroth."I'm thrilled that our National Park Foundation grants make it possible for hundreds of thousands of kids to experience the wonder of parks for the first time, sparking a lifelong love for national parks."

The National Lakeshore is excited to offer the third year of their day-long Snowshoe Experience program. Students go on an off-trail, snowshoeing adventure through a winter wonderland and complete curriculum-based, hands-on activities and games throughout the day. Teachers can prepare their students for the trip and extend learning by completing a pre-visit and post-visit lesson. Rangers may be available to visit classrooms prior to the field trip to present a pre-program activity in November, December, and early January. Field trips are offered Tuesday through Friday, from January to mid-March.

Fourth grade teachers are eligible to apply for a bus transportation grant, made possible by the NPF and administered by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and require teachers to send in a Bus Transportation Application and Field Trip Request by October 23, 2017. Classes who do not need or are not eligible for transportation grants will be scheduled beginning November 13, 2017. Check the park's website for more details on how to apply, or email them at e-mail us for more information.

Visit the NPF site for a full list of grantees and their projects.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park stewards. In 2016, commemorating the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, the Foundation launched The Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks, a comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of these national treasures for the next hundred years. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.