LENOIR, NC (August 27, 2021) — Getting children outside can be challenging for parents but not for schools when you have converted outdoor space into classrooms and exploration stations through the North Carolina School Go Outside (GO) Grant.
“The GO Grant was created to address barriers of going outside,” said Amy Philyaw, STEM Director and grant writer. “They also allow access to field study locations and assist with other expenditures that result from taking students outdoors.”
GO Grants provide funding for the development and creation of outdoor learning classrooms/ exploration stations, as well as, funding for field studies. Schools within the district received a combined total of $109,772.90 in grant funding during the 2020-2021 school year to develop and create outdoor learning classrooms and exploration stations.
To qualify, schools depicted how the outdoor experiences would address topics aligned to the NC Essential Standards and explained how the proposal meets the goals of the Outdoor Heritage Trust Fund plan.
GO grant funding includes:
• Up to $15,000 for on-campus learning centers/structures. This is a temporary increase while funds are available.
• Up to $5,000 for on-campus activities such as field trips coming to the campus.
• Up to $2,500 for off-campus outdoor educational field trips.
The following schools have received grant funding to develop and create outdoor learning classrooms and exploration stations:
• Valmead Elementary: $10,931.22
• Horizons Elementary: $5000.00
• Davenport Elementary: $9200.00
• Hibriten High School: $8441.68
• Baton Elementary: $4000.00
• West Lenoir Elementary: $15,000.00
• Kings Creek School: $12,625.00
• West Caldwell High School: $12,625.00
• South Caldwell High School: $12,625.00
• Gateway School: $12,625.00
• Collettsville School: $6700.00