Outdoor Nation, a national initiativecreated to reconnect youth and millennials to the outdoors, and Aramark, the food and hospitality partner for national and state parks, launched the Campus Activation Grants program to inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts. Focused on the college market, this partnership program will award grants to five universities with the best ideas to connect students and local communities and increase visitation to parks and recreation areas across the country.
Grants of $3,000 will be awarded to the five schools that submit the best ideas for engaging their campus communities in outdoor recreation. Each school or university must implement a minimum of five outdoor outings that actively engage the campus community. Other requirements include an initial brainstorming session, ongoing outdoor activation, two activities with local youth-serving organizations and a National Park outing.
To apply, submit a proposal by November 25, 2014. The five winners will be announced on December 15, 2014.
“Thanks to our partnership with Aramark, we are investing in and empowering school communities to build strong connections to outdoor recreation through campus-wide activation,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation, the organization that started the Outdoor Nation movement. During the past year, Outdoor Nation has awarded 250,000 to college programs and nonprofit organizations for projects that reconnect young people with nature.
