Central Oregon is a truly spectacular place filled with natural beauty and such a wide variety of places to explore.

What if, as a community, we could ensure that every child in Central Oregon experiences an education where learning extends beyond the four walls of the classroom and into the outdoor spaces that make our community so special?

This is NatureConnect’s vision. We believe that every child, every year, should have multiple opportunities to have learning come to life in nature. We need your support to turn this “what if” into a reality. We have an opportunity to support a generation of youth in Central Oregon who truly know and care for the outdoors in their community.

NatureConnect needs to raise $12,000 this winter to support 100 outdoor field trips for Central Oregon students this year. Meeting this goal will fund 6,000 students in getting to explore, discover, investigate, and help steward the amazing places around our communities.

When kids learn outside, education comes alive. Students have a chance to experience concepts first-hand, rather than just through text books. Kids are gaining place-based knowledge about ecosystems in their backyard, rather than just learning about places across the globe that they’ve never visited. Students are investigating, observing, asking questions, rather than learning through a screen. Plus, when kids spend time outside and connect with places in new ways, they learn that nature can be a transformational part of our lives that benefits every aspect of our well-being. And, they learn to care for and give back to the land.

Even with the incredible access to outdoor spaces and programs - accessing field trips isn’t always easy. Why? School budgets for field trips, including just covering the bus cost is extremely limited. While some schools can rely on their PTO (or PTA) to help with field trip costs, or ask families for funds, this isn’t an option for all schools. That’s where NatureConnect and you come in! NatureConnect’s Field Trip Fund has been supports the bus costs for 100+ field trips each year. Without this resources, thousands of students would miss opportunities to visit places like Tumalo Creek, Mt. Bachelor, Lava Lands, and more.

Thank you for partnering with us to support our vision of every kid learning outdoors.

Field Trip Fund Campaign