National Park Foundation Kicks Off 15 Years of Open OutDoors for Kids with $4.7 Million Investment to Connect Students to Parks

NPF has supported hands-on educational opportunities for millions of students to date and will fund 83 projects across more than 90 national parks this year.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Park Foundation (NPF) is excited to announce that it has awarded $4.7 million through its signature Open OutDoors for Kids program to support field trips, classroom engagements, virtual learning opportunities, and other educational programming in and around more than 90 national parks during the 2026-27 school year. This year's cohort, which includes 83 grantees, represents the 15th season of NPF's Open OutDoors for Kids program.

Building on a child's innate sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them, Open OutDoors for Kids helps national parks and park partners create, expand, and fortify educational experiences for students to learn about and visit national parks, connect with park rangers in the classroom, and engage in virtual experiences that build on what they are learning in school. By introducing and engaging students with national parks at a young age, Open OutDoors for Kids fosters an appreciation for the outdoors and inspires the next generation of park stewards.

Examples of projects funded for the 2026-27 school year include:

• Denali Education Center will renew its virtual and in-classroom programming that connects students near and far to Denali National Park and Preserve, encouraging students to explore and understand the parks unique wildlife, ecosystem, and heritage.
• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park will expand on over a decade of Open OutDoors for Kids programming, teaching students about significant Ohioans and the national relevance of Cuyahoga Valley National Park with in-person and asynchronous materials and activities.
• Pacific Historic Parks will engage students at Pearl Harbor National Memorial through an immersive Ford Island bus tour that explores the bravery and sacrifices of those who lived through World War II.
• Ice Age Trail Alliance will bring Wisconsin's glacial history to life for nearly 10,000 students at the Ice Age National Scenic Trail with a three-part experience combining classroom learning, guided educational hikes, and post-hike reflection.
• Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Corporation will connect students to the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area through curriculum-aligned field trips and dynamic virtual experiences, integrating STEM learning with the history, culture, and ecology of the Yuma region.
• Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, a first-time Open OutDoors for Kids grantee, will create a raised bed butterfly garden and outdoor learning space at the Lowndes Interpretive Center, connecting environmental stewardship, pollinator conservation, and local civil rights history.

View the full list of this year's grantees here.

"For many students, Open OutDoors for Kids field trips or virtual classroom activities are their first chance to connect with our nation's most magnificent places," said NPF Chief Program Officer Mike Reynolds. "By offering novel and meaningful ways to learn about the world around them, these projects encourage students to forge lasting connections with the outdoors and each other, opening the door to a lifetime of discovery and joy in national parks."

NPF's Open OutDoors for Kids program was designed in collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS) in 2011 to complement the federal Every Kid Outdoors program and address some of the most common barriers to access, like transportation. Today, Open OutDoors for Kids provides essential support and strengthens the capacity of parks, park partners, and other community-based organizations that provide educational opportunities in and related to national parks. Learn more about NPF's Open OutDoors for Kids program and its impact here.

NPF is proud to continue this work nationwide, building upon 15 years of positive, formative experiences in national parks made possible through the generous support of partners and donors, including Randi and Bob Fisher, the John G. and Jean R. Gosnell Foundation, Judy M. Vetter, Susan Byrd, Kim B. Kanas, Candace Carlson and Christine Tennant, General Motors, American Airlines, Chick-fil-A Inc., Columbia Sportswear Company, Expedia Group, Sierra, The North Face, Public Lands Fund, Nature Valley, Winnebago Industries Foundation, and many other supporters.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation is the nation's most trusted way for people to support America's national parks. We work with the National Park Service and partners across the country to fund priority projects that keep parks strong, relevant, and accessible. This work helps ensure parks continue to inspire pride across the country and offer experiences that create meaningful connection. In 2025, NPF funded $100 million in on-the-ground priority projects nationwide, made possible through the generosity of donors, to advance critical work, including infrastructure, restoration, education, and access, ensuring parks continue to endure for generations to come. Learn more at nationalparks.org and follow NPF on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Editor's note: For press interested in learning more about an Open OutDoors for Kids project or scheduling a field visit, please contact the National Park Foundation media team at media@nationalparks.org.

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SOURCE National Park Foundation