Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program

Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program is sponsored by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). Reimbursement of transportation costs for school-age children (pre-K through grade 12) to visit eligible parks, historic sites, and other outdoor recreation areas.

Connect Kids Field Trip Grant — WildPlay New York State Parks Connect Kids Grant - Grant Covers Transportation - Send a Field Trip Inquiry Want to host your next field trip at WildPlay? Better yet, want to have the cost of your transportation reimbursed? Good news - you can apply for the New York State Parks Connect Kids grant (in just 6 easy steps!

) and receive funding to cover the cost of transportation for your field trip to WildPlay. The Connect Kids Field Trip Grant is a reimbursement grant program that covers transportation, program fees, and entry fees for school field trips to State Parks. Both WildPlay Jones Beach and WildPlay Thacher are located in New York State Parks and are eligible for transportation coverage from the grant.

Send a Field Trip Inquiry Field Trip Grant Program (NY State Parks website) WildPlay Youth Group Rates Email (groups@wildplay. com) or call (1-800-668-7771) WildPlay with any questions. Connect Kids Application Guide Eligible organizations include: public schools; county, city, town or village youth bureaus; schools for the deaf and blind; and BOCES programs.

Select not-for-profits providing after-school, extracurricular, and summer youth programs may also be eligible. Public and Private schools that are eligible for Title 1 funding can also apply. Non-school field trip applicants These programs may be asked to submit additional trip information prior to approval.

All not-for-profits must be pre-qualified in the Grants Gateway prior to applying This application only covers the financial grant and is not a confirmation of the trip. All field trips must be scheduled directly with WildPlay prior to submission. All applications must be submitted at least one month before the trip.

Please expect to receive a response within 1 to 3 weeks of your submission. Your award letter will include a maximum award cap based on the number of students and chaperones. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Questions? Contact parksbusgrant@parks. ny.

gov. Which WildPlay Park will you Visit? WildPlay Thacher (Albany, NY) 4 levels of Adventure Courses, a designated Kids Course, and a 40ft freefall jump in the heart of Thacher State Park! Application Guide (Thacher) WildPlay Jones Beach (Wantagh, NY) 4 levels of Adventure Courses, a designated Kids Course, a 700ft Zipline down the beach, and a 40ft freefall jump right on Jones Beach!

Application Guide (Jones Beach) Are teachers and chaperones (adults) counted when awarding the total funds based on the group's size? $80 per student and $160 for Special Education students covers all reimbursable field trip expenses, this include transportation costs, as well as program, entry, pavilion fees, on-site equipment rentals (boat rentals, snowshoes, etc.), and camping at state-owned facilities.

The grant does not reimburse costs for food, school-purchased field trip supplies, lifeguard salaries, or any costs for chaperones who drive separately. https://parks. ny.

gov/environment/connect-kids/grant-program. aspx Both awards are intended to cover chaperones, and any special education transportation needs, which means that a chaperone themselves cannot be included as a student in the per student reimbursement equation. What happens if the group brings a larger number of people?

The award letter will include a maximum award cap based on the number of students and chaperones. No exceptions. Can the funds be used to cover the cost of food?

The grant does not reimburse costs for food, school-purchased field trip supplies, lifeguard salaries, or any costs for chaperones who drive separately. Can the grant be awarded to staff/administrators? The grant only covers staff/administrators during the facilitation of student field trips.

The grant cannot be applied to groups made up of entirely staff and administrators. Who should I reach out to with questions specifically about the grant? parksbusgrant@parks.

ny. gov How soon will I be awarded the grant money? Groups will receive an e-mail confirmation of grant approval in 2-3 weeks.

The Connect Kids Field Trip Grant is a reimbursement grant program. This means that each grant recipient must cover all initial field trip costs. Grant funds will not be released until after a field trip has occurred, all incurred expenses have been paid, and proof of payment has been provided to the Connect Kids Field Trip Grant Coordinator.

Reimbursement typically occurs 2-3 months after the field trip is complete. How long does it take to get approved? There is typically a 1-month turnaround time.

What is the maximum number of students WildPlay can host? We welcomed groups of 200 or more in a day. The decision ultimately comes down to time.

For 200 students, we need a minimum of 6 hours to effectively get them all through the course. If you have less time (due to transportation or other factors), you may need to book two separate days. Alternate transportation is also an option, please reach out to the Park manager for details.

What forms of payment do you accept? Checks, Credit Cards, and Purchase Orders under certain circumstances. Please contact the Park Manager for more details.

What can the students do if they are not climbing? Often, the students on the ground will follow their classmates as they navigate the Adventure Courses and cheer them on. We have some extracurricular activities like giant Jenga, kick ball, a soccer ball and football, and a frisbee available for them to play with.

Groups are welcome to bring other games to play while at the park. Jones Beach: Students can walk the boardwalk, or play at the waterpark/basketball courts immediately next to WildPlay. What does arrival look like?

Thacher: All buses can park in the WildPlay parking lot for free. Climbers will get off the bus and our manager or team lead will welcome the students and give them all the info needed to take on WildPlay. Then, the students will have their waivers and heights checked and given wristbands to assign them to a harnessing group and course.

Next is group harnessing, group demos, and then we climb! Jones Beach: Buses can park in Fields 4 or 5 (paid parking). From there, take the underpass below Ocean Parkway in the direction of the boardwalk (3-5 minute walk).

Check-in at Guest Services and our staff will help you get ready for your adventure! WildPlay operates rain or shine. We will monitor the weather, but we advise that groups plan and dress accordingly.

The course will only shut down in the event of a thunder and lightning storm within a 10-mile radius and we would not know that until the day of the event. We have safety procedures for when that happens while guests are up in the Adventure Courses. In case of a cancellation, which is at the group's discretion, we would need 48 hours notice for staffing reasons.

What should students wear? Wear closed-toe footwear (sneakers/runners are best!) , and clothing that fits snugly.

Tie back long hair and remove all jewelry and loose objects. If it is raining, make sure you bring a rain jacket. What are the differences between the courses you offer?

Please check our website for the access requirements and make sure that the group you are bringing will meet them. Our Classic Course has 3 levels which increase in height and difficulty and climb 40-60 feet off the ground. Our Kid Course is 15 - 20 feet off the ground with a shorter lifeline.

Who does the check need to be made out to? Checks must be made out to THACHER ADVENTURE EXCURSIONS LLC. (WildPlay Thacher) or JONES BEACH ADVENTURE EXCURSIONS (WildPlay Jones Beach).

When is the 50% deposit due? 7 days after the temporary booking is made, unless otherwise approved by the Park Manager. Our special rates, flexible booking/check-ins and Experience Experts make it easy to bring large groups of kids and teens of any size to our Parks.

Have some questions, or ready to get a quote? We can help with that - just give us a call or fill out the form! “Thanks to the Connect Kids grant we were able to bring our 6th grade students to WildPlay for their final elementary school field trip.

Prior to coming, we were worried some kids would be too nervous, scared, or just not want to participate. However, we could not be HAPPIER with the experience! It challenged our students mentally and physically.

It encouraged our students to try something new and to overcome their fears! ” - Vicky K. , District Special Education Teacher What schools have to say about Connect Kids & WildPlay “ Receiving the Connect Kids Grant was a huge boost to allow all of my students to be able to enjoy the team-building, personal goal-triumphing experience that is WildPlay!

I have many students who would have struggled to afford to pay for such a trip and this grant made it happen! ” “ Thank you so much for an incredibly organized, safe, and fun trip to WildPlay for our 6th graders. Everyone had a wonderful day regardless of their ability level.

The staff was patient and knowledgeable and our 6th graders felt safe, supported, and successful. It was truly an amazing experience, and we look forward to visiting again next year! ” “ What a fantastic day we had here.

Our students had an amazing time and finished the course with more confidence than when they started. The staff were warm, professional, and extraordinarily patient. They were secure in their knowledge of everything and that made us feel even more safe.

We will definitely be back again! ”