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Last updated on Thursday, August 13, 2015
(UNDATED) - Students at 22 Indiana schools this academic year will learn about the outdoors thanks in part to a grant program that supports field trips to Indiana state parks and reservoirs.
The Discovering the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program is for public, private, parochial or home-school educators and is administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), the supporting non-profit of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The grants fund transportation costs, program fees and classroom supplies related to preparation or follow-up for the field trips.
More than 1,600 K-12 students will benefit from the grant program in 2015-16. The program expects to distribute $5,476 through 25 grants. All valid applicants will receive funds this year.
This is the third academic year that the grant program has been in effect. During the first year, the program awarded $4,411 through 19 grants to 16 schools, benefiting about 1,400 kids.
"We are happy to see those numbers increase this year," said Ginger Murphy, deputy director for stewardship for DNR State Parks.
The fund was established in memory of Tom Huck, a long-time DNR employee who was an ardent supporter of outdoor experiences for children, with financial help from the Indiana Master Naturalist Advisory Council, according to Bourke Patton, executive director of the INRF.
"Donations are welcome from individuals, organizations or businesses to help sustain this grant program in coming years," Patton said.
To donate, visit IndianaNRF.org.
Indiana has 24 state parks and eight reservoirs eligible for field trip funding. Field trips to parks and reservoirs engage students in learning about Indiana's fish, forest, wildlife, natural habitats and conservation.
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