Students at 12 Indiana schools will be able to take field trips to Indiana state parks this academic year thanks in part to the Discover the Outdoors field trip grant program, which is administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), the supporting non-profit of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

18 Bainbridge Elementary 3rd grade students will be among those benefitting from the grants with a trip to Turkey Run State Park.

Educators in public, private, parochial or home schools are eligible for the grants, which range from $98-$250 and fund transportation costs, program fees and classroom supplies related to preparation or follow-up for the field trips.

A total of $5,479 is scheduled to be given through 28 grants, benefitting an estimated 1,364 K-12 students. Through the current academic year, the program has distributed more than $46,000 in overall funding and helped more than 16,000 students visit an Indiana state park for a guided hike or talk with an interpretive naturalist since the grant program started eight years ago.

No grants were distributed for the 2019-20 school year because most schools were meeting virtually with field trip restrictions. The number of grant applications for 2020-21 was lower than normal. 

The fund was established in memory of Tom Huck, a longtime DNR employee who was an ardent supporter of outdoor experiences for children in parks.