Together, we can ensure equitable access to our natural world

Despite living in one of the most beautiful outdoor destinations in the world, many children in our schools have never visited the beach or been on a hike. For the nearly 40% of students in our district who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, this lack of meaningful access to nature further widens the experience gap and perpetuates disparities.

Over the past decade, the cost of overnight science camps have been the responsibility of the parents at individual school sites. The length of camp stay and type of camp that students are able to attend has relied on the fundraising capacity of each PTA, but the capacity varies widely between elementary school sites. As a result, access to outdoor learning opportunities has historically been inequitable - with some schools simply unable to afford to offer their students this experience.

Recognizing that an overnight outdoor experience can be transformative for a student's learning and personal development, the Foundation and school district have joined forces to reduce this disparity. Together, we are working to cover the cost of camp for every socioeconomically disadvantaged student. Our goal is to ensure that all kids can experience and explore our natural world.