Connect Kids to Parks

The Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program (Connect Kids) is a field trip refund grant program connecting New York schoolchildren with nature and New York State history.

 

How Does It Work?
Connect Kids will refund up to $1,000 of the field trip costs for visits to a New York State Park, Nature Center, or Historic Site (Parks), or a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Education Center, fish hatchery, or selected DEC sites. Field trip locations covered under the program include:

- New York State Parks, Nature Centers or Historic Sites
- Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Education Centers or Fish Hatcheries 
- Adirondack Loj
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Newcomb Campus
- Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum
- Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center
- Montezuma Audubon Center

Grants are available on a first come, first served basis. Field trip costs eligible for a refund include transportation, program fees, entry fees, and/or pavilion fees. Schools, youth bureaus, or afterschool programs pay for services first and are then reimbursed their expenses after the trip. Chaperones that drive separately will not be refunded for any field trip expenses.

 

The purpose of this initiative is to encourage children to learn more about New York State environment and history on a Free Field Trip. Grants will re-fund  up to $1,000 of the field trip cost per classroom or After School Groups of 20 children, per trip.  (example – if a school teacher has 5 classes, they can apply 5 times with each grant up to $1000). Plan now and book your field-trips to a state park, nature center or historic site. Field trip costs eligible for a refund include transportation, park attractions, program fees’ and/or pavilion fees.   

Currently ALL Public Schools in Western New York qualify.  This Program is available to any public school in a Title 1 School District (grades preK-12 including School-Sponsored Clubs), Advantage After School Programs, 21st Century Community Learning Centers and Village Towns, or County Youth Bureaus in communities with  Title 1 School Districts are eligible to apply for the Grants.  Details about the program are available at  www.nysparks.com. For grant guidelines, click on Link to More Info, below. 

 

Although the guidelines refer to the 17-18 grant application, BOCES 2 Grants Office received an email in November 2018 indicating this application should be used for the 18-19 grant program.