Students at 57 Indiana schools will experience the outdoors during the 2024-25 school year thanks in part to a grant program that supports field trips to Indiana State Parks and other state park-managed properties.

The Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program is for all K-12 schools and is administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), the supporting nonprofit of the DNR.

Thanks to the ongoing generosity of donors, the individual grant limit for this school year was doubled from the previous school year. Grants of up to $500 are now awarded to fund transportation costs, program fees, and classroom supplies related to the field trips. These donations have also allowed the program to more than double the total dollars distributed.

The program is expected to distribute $24,966 this year, the largest amount in its existence. An estimated 4,809 K-12 students will benefit.
Since the program’s start in 2013, a total of 287 field trip grants have been awarded, giving 25,200 students the opportunity to visit state parks at a reduced cost to schools and students. With this year’s awards, more than $75,000 in overall funding has been distributed to allow students to visit an Indiana state park for a guided hike or talk with an interpretive naturalist.

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. In addition to generous individuals, periodic support for the program is provided by the Indiana Master Naturalist Advisory Council, the Indiana Parks Alliance, and the INRF.

“We appreciate the generosity of those who contribute to Indiana’s youth,” INRF director Jody Kress said. “We hope to see this program grow so we can educate more students across the state about our natural and cultural legacy.”

To donate to the field trip program, visit IndianaNRF.org. Indiana has 24 state parks, eight reservoirs, two state forest recreation areas and two off-road state recreation areas eligible for field trip funding. Field trips to state park properties engage students in learning about Indiana’s fish, forest, wildlife, natural habitats, and conservation. The receiving schools and where they will visit are:
The receiving schools, town and where they will visit are listed here:

  • Bainbridge Elementary School, Bainbridge, McCormick’s Creek
  • Batesville Intermediate School, Batesville, Spring Mill
  • Bluffton-Harrison Elementary, Bluffton, Ouabache
  • Bradie Shrum Elementary Salem, Salem, Spring Mill
  • Clarks Creek Elementary School, Plainfield, Fort Harrison
  • Columbus Christian School N. Vernon, North Vernon, Spring Mill
  • Corpus Christi, Evansville, Harmonie
  • Country Meadow Elementary, Ashley, Chain O’ Lakes
  • Countryside Christian School, New Richmond, Raccoon Lake
  • Corpus Christi Evansville, Harmonie
  • Country Meadow Elementary, Ashley, Chain O’ Lakes
  • Countryside Christian School, New Richmond, Raccoon Lake
  • CSA Fodrea Elementary School, Columbus, Brown County
  • Eastern Pulaski Elementary School, Winamac, McCormick’s Creek
  • Eastside Elementary, Anderson, Mounds
  • Edgewood Elementary, Anderson, Mounds
  • Eliza Blaker School 55, Indianapolis, Mounds
  • Emmons Elementary School, Mishawaka, Indiana Dunes
  • Forest Ridge Academy, Schererville, Indiana Dunes
  • Good Shepherd Christian Academy, Greensburg, Brown County
  • Grandview Elementary Bloomington, Spring Mill
  • Harris Elementary School, Greenfield Mounds
  • Highland Park Elementary, Bloomington, McCormick’s Creek
  • Indy West Christian School, Indianapolis, Turkey Run
  • James Garfield #31, Indianapolis, Fort Harrison
  • James Whitcomb Riley Elementary School, Vincennes, McCormick’s Creek and Spring Mill
  • Johnson Elementary School, Scottsburg, Clifty Falls
  • L.C. Schimtt Elementary, Columbus, Brown County
  • Lancaster Central Elementary, Bluffton, Ouabache
  • LaSalle Academyl, South Bend, Indiana Dunes
  • Lawrence County Independent Schools, Bedford, Spring Mill
  • Marrs Elementary, Mount Vernon, Harmonie
  • McCulloh Junior High School, Marion  Salamonie Lake/Upper Wabash Interpretive Center
  • Milan Elementary, Milan, Versailles
  • North Harrison Elementary School, Ramsey, O’Bannon Woods
  • Orleans Elementary School, Orleans, Spring Mill
  • Pioneer Elementary School, Royal Center, Prophetstown
  • Rochester Middle School, Rochester, Indiana Dunes
  • Shoals Middle School, Shoals, McCormick’s Creek
  • Shortridge High School, Indianapolis   Indiana Dunes
  • South Adams Elementary, Berne, Ouabache
  • South Decatur Elementary, Greensburg, Versailles
  • Southern Wells Elementary, Poneto, McCormick’s Creek
  • Spencer Elementary, Spencer, McCormick’s Creek
  • Springville Community Academy, Springville, Spring Mill
  • St. Philip Catholic School, Mt. Vernon, Harmonie
  • St. Thomas More Academy, South Bend, Potato Creek
  • Sugar Creek Consolidated, Terre Haute, Turkey Run
  • Taylor Middle School, Kokomo, Mississinewa Lake
  • Taylorsville Elementary School , Taylorsville, Brown County
  • Thomas Miler Elementary, Lafayette, Turkey Run
  • Union Center Elementary, Valparaiso, Indiana Dunes
  • Warsaw Community High School, Warsaw, Chain O’Lakes
  • West Elementary, Mount Vernon, Harmonie
  • Weston Elementary School, Greenfield, Mounds
  • West Noble Middle School, Ligioner, Chain O’Lakes
  • Westlane Middle School, Indianapolis, Fort Harrison
  • Whiteland Community High School, Whiteland, Brown County
  • William Tell Elementary School, Tell City, Lincoln