Outreach Grants Help Texas Kids Go Camping

Tom Harvey, 512-389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.texas.gov

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AUSTIN, Texas — Sixteen grants totaling more than $400,000 have been awarded to fund camping and outdoor environmental education camps that target underserved populations and their families.

The grants, funded by sporting tax dollars, are part of the Community Outdoor Outreach Program at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“For many of the participants targeted in this program, this will be the first time they have experienced the outdoors, Texas Parks and Wildlife style,” said CO-OP Program Director Darlene Lewis. “These overnight stays and programs have been developed to help families around the state to not only learn more about our natural resources, but to become better stewards of our resources.”

Including this year’s awards, there has been a total of $800,000 in grants awarded from 2004-05.

This year’s awards are as follows:

  • (Arlington) — Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North Texas — The “Pass It On” mentoring program is designed to promote the enjoyment, understanding, protection and restoration of our natural ecosystems. ($26,000)
  • (Channelview) — Harris County Precinct 2 — Funds from this grant will help pay for transportation and visits to state parks. ($27,600)
  • (Comstock) — The Shumla School — Day and adventure camps for students who will learn about local history, Native American ways, plants, and archeology. ($30,000)
  • (Dallas) — P.O.I.N.T. — Outdoor-activities such as kayaking, hunting, fly fishing, climbing wall and archery are just a few of the events that physically challenged participants will get to try during an Extravaganza this summer. ($22,600)
  • (El Paso) — El Paso ISD — The Nature Days Summer Earth Camps will be a series of four, one-week camps for elementary students from housing developments in the city. ($29,985)
  • (Fort Worth) — Fort Worth Zoological Association — Inner-city kids, their parents and their teachers will participate in “The Outdoors Explorers Overnight” and learn about plants, fishing, rock climbing, and the environment. ($15,174)
  • (Galveston) — Galveston ISD — The funds from this grant will enable the district to offer a series of sailing, fishing, kayaking, birdwatching and overnight camping experiences for at-risk students and their families. ($30,000)
  • (Georgetown) — Williamson County Juvenile Services — Juveniles and their families will get to experience camping, wildlife viewing and other outdoor activities. ($29,858)
  • (Granite Shoals) — Marble Falls ISD- Project LIFE, Learning to be an Investigator For our Environment, will inspire and empower students to become stewards of the environment. Programs/activities are centered around the environmental/outdoor learning trail and classroom. ($11,385)
  • (Houston) Fondren Civic Club — Houston ISD children will visit state parks, the Moody Gardens, The Aquarium and learn more about the environment and conservation. ($20,434)
  • (Laredo) — Webb County - A series of workshops and site visits to state parks in Texas will introduce at-risk youth to hiking, camping, birding, and Texas heritage. ($30,000)
  • (Laredo) — City of Laredo Parks & Recreation — Game wardens and state parks staff will help introduce students from predominately low income families to fishing and hunting techniques, state park activities/programs and environmental and conservation programs. ($22,672)
  • (Lufkin) — Burke Center — “Operation Wildlife” will provide wilderness and outdoor activities and education for 409 participants and families. Activities will include backpacking, flyfishing, camping, wildlife viewing, canoeing and more. ($29,768)
  • (Pearland) — Texas Hunter Education Instructor’s Association Eight Texas schools will be targeted to learn more about hunter education, hunting, archery and shooting sports. ($30,000)
  • (Port Arthur) — Port Arthur Historical Society — “Enviro-Kids” is a free summer camp program offered to elementary school-age kids to learn more about plant life, wildlife, conservation, environmental issues and outdoor recreation. ($23,080)
  • (Seguin) — Seguin Outdoor Learning Center — Project GETGO, Girls Exploring Texas’ Great Outdoors, will target minority, low-income 5th and 6th grade girls who will get to canoe, kayak, fish, learn orienteering, and do some overnight camping. ($22,870)

The next available CO-OP grant deadline is Oct. 1. To find out more about the grant or how to apply, contact TPWD at (512) 912-7124 or rec.grants@tpwd.texas.gov.