The Outdoor Foundation and the National Park Service will invest a total of $40,000 in 10 university campuses across the Northeast as part of its Campus Clubs program. The intent of the program is to strengthen the existing network of outdoor clubs and programs on college campuses and empower schools, students, faculty, alumni and the surrounding community to change the way they engage in the outdoors.
From now until May 23, 2014, colleges and universities in the Northeast can submit their best ideas on how to get their campus community outside and active, with an emphasis on visits to national parks.　The Outdoor Foundation and National Park Service will then select the top 10 schools to receive funding for implementation of their ideas.
The Foundation’s college engagement strategy is based on many years of research that suggestst one of the biggest declines in activity among Americans occurs in the “team sport category” between the ages of 15 and 24. Believing this represents an opportunity to reach young people and specifically college students, Outdoor Nation is working to empower student to get outside and active — their way.
Three years ago, The Outdoor Foundation, with support from the National Park Service, launched the first Outdoor Nation Campus Clubs in Atlanta and Washington DC, which quickly expanded throughout New England.　To date, Outdoor Nation Campus Clubs program has included 15 colleges and their university outdoor programs. These programs have engaged over 500 college and high school students and resulted in a strong relationship between institutions through monthly outdoor outings. The Northeast Campus Clubs program builds on this success and will aim to connect hundreds of students to the outdoors in 2014.
Winning schools will be announced on June 16 and outings will take place Fall 2014 through Spring 2015. Visit outdoornation.org/grants to apply or email Ivan Levin for more information at ilevin@outdoorofoundation.org.
