The Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program helps under-resourced U.S. schools and students to discover and explore parks, historic sites, public lands, and waters.
Donor Name: National Park Trust
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/30/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program will grant the following:
- Each awarded group of students will also receive an official Kids to Parks Day certificate and one plush Buddy Bison, National Park Trust’s lovable, woolly mascot.
Funding can be used towards program fees, transportation costs, stewardship supplies, and any other materials needed for a robust learning experience.
This grant is designed to be student-driven, and student-teacher collaboration is a must. In addition, all applications must include a stewardship element and a park-themed educational component that focuses on either outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles, environmental education/science, or history.
Funding Information
Up to $1,000 per classroom for an in-park field trip.
Eligibility Criteria
This grant is open to all US states and territories. Participating students must be from Title I schools (40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch) in grades PreK through 12. Teachers may submit the application on behalf of their class, but direct student involvement in the application is required. One entry can be submitted per class/group of students. More than one application can be submitted per school if each proposal benefits unique students (e.g. multiple classes in one grade level).
Before you begin the application, make sure your request meets the following requirements:
- Each application should include a park-themed educational component that focuses on either outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles, environmental education/science, or history. While grant requests for all types of park visits are welcome, applicants are encouraged to consider trips to historical sites in honor of the celebration of our country’s 250th birthday in 2026.
- Each application should also include a park stewardship element. This can be an activity or an educational lesson done at a park or as a pre or post-trip lesson at school.
- Experiences that take place during May 2026 are preferred, but exceptions for other spring 2026 dates will be considered. Funding must be used by June 30th, 2026.
- Grantees agree to submit by June 30, 2026, the following to the Park Trust (through Cybergrants) after their experience:
- A teacher summary – 1 or more paragraphs summarizing and reflecting on the experience written by the lead teacher.
- A student summary – 1 or more paragraphs summarizing and reflecting on the experience written by a participating student. (One summary per entry is required, but more are welcome.) Students under 3rd grade may dictate quotes to the teacher to submit. 3rd graders and up must write a summary in their own words.
- 5 trip photos – Send at least 5 digital photos from your experience. Photos should include your students learning, enjoying, and experiencing your lesson or program. Photos of students using any items purchased are also encouraged. Please include your plush Buddy Bison in the pictures as well!
- Additionally, teachers are required to complete a brief online survey.
For more information, visit National Park Trust.
