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The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics recently awarded its first round of 2008 Connect Grants to provide direct support and Leave No Trace training for organizations and people that serve culturally-diverse communities.
The primary Connect Grant goals are to increase the cadre of culturally diverse Leave No Trace educators, provide education for organizations serving Latino, African American, Native American, Asian as well as other communities, and provide broader Leave No Trace opportunities for youths not served before by these programs.
The second round of funding will be awarded in late August. Learn more ( + ).
Educational Recreational Adventures (ERA) is a non-profit organization that offers environmental education, outdoor skills training and outdoor adventures for youth, family and the public.
ERA collaborates on various intercultural/interfaith events with a number of schools, community-based organizations, social service programs and governmental agencies. In 2007, ERA reached over 2500 people.
Millenium High School is a public high school drawing from all five boroughs of New York City and a partner of the YMCA of Greater New York.
Millenium's Foreign Exchange Program was started four years ago and has included travel abroad experiences for students to Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Italy and Costa Rica. Over 50 students participate each year; 550 participate in year end town hall meetings during which students share their work. Students meet weekly to learn about the language, history and culture of their country. This year students will conduct service-learning projects this year focusing on environmental issues. Educational materials in both English and Spanish will help students learn about Leave No Trace at school and abroad as they work with Spanish-speaking communities.
The Center for Family Life is a community-based organization in Brooklyn that aims to promote positive outcomes for youth, adults and families through a range of family and social services. The Center is located in Sunset Pak, an immigrant community; the majority being of Latino or Chinese background.
The Outdoor Adventure Project is in its first year and is expected to reach over 200 youth; the semester long after school program for middle school age kids will culminate in an overnight camping trip.
Camp Beechpoint serves inner-city youth from the Chicago, Detroit and Grand Haven projects and missions, and provides adventure-based camping experiences for teens.
Partners in Discipleship is a program that pairs teens with adult mentors in their community to provide encouragement and to promote "staying off the streets.” Leave No Trace will be incorporated into the program to represent how life in the wilderness and our environmental footprint affects like in the city and the “footprint” we have on our neighborhoods and vice versa.
Outdoor Outreach is a San Diego based organizations providing programs for underserved youth at risk for school dropout, substance abuse, violence and unintended pregnancy.
The organization has three youth development programs that are designed to build appreciation for nature and create environmentally-aware youth. These programs include an Outdoor Adventure Club, that meets weekly and organizes monthly outdoor trips for participants; a Leadership program through which teens are selected on an individual basis to promote and encourage leadership skills; and a Partner Program through which Outdoor Outreach collaborates with over 30 community-based youth serving organizations.
This year Outdoor Outreach intends to work with over 750 youth in San Diego County.
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Educational materials for this project will promote a Trainer Course serving the Spanish-speaking population of Greater Portland.
The 25+ course participants will include individuals from ESL programs at Portland Community College, Columbia River Girl Scout Council volunteers and local Spanish teachers.
The Leadership Consortium (TLC) is a non-profit, which helps organizations identify, recruit, develop, support, retain and re-engage leaders of color in Arizona.
Wonderful Outdoor World is a TLC program that introduces urban youth, ages 9-12, to the fun of the outdoors. During 1-2 day campouts in local city parks, youth learn about nature, outdoor skills, how to set up minimum-impact campsites, and what careers are available to them in the outdoor/environmental field.
WOW takes place in six cities and served approximately 5000 each year.
The inner-city BSA district of Dallas provides first time scouting opportunities for over 200 urban youth. The majority of these youth are Latino or African American. Many of the youth and families in the community have not participated in wilderness outings.
Educational materials will help incorporate Leave No Trace information into the outreach programs and promote environmental awareness in youth, families and community members.
Phyllis is a Trails and Wilderness Specialist with the Forest Service. She has worked with local community members and organizations to provide Leave No Trace education and training.
The town of Jemez Springs is located in central New Mexico and includes several Spanish-speaking and Native American communities. The project will include working with local science teachers to bring Leave No Trace education to the classroom and to promote environmental awareness in younger audiences. Phyllis expects to work with several hundred children and families over the course of the year.
The Outdoor Leadership Program at San Juan College is designed to provide students with education in adventure and outdoor recreation leadership that is up-to-date with industry standards.
The program will host a custom Master Educator course for key individuals in Farmington, NM, a community that includes several Native American reservations.
