Outdoor Learning Grants

Outdoor Learning Grants is sponsored by Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. This program funds projects like experiential outdoor education, STEAM activities, habitat restoration, field studies, and natural resources career-connected learning for K–12 students. It aims to develop and support outdoor educational experiences for students in Washington public schools.

RCO - Washington Recreation & Conservation Office --> Outdoor Learning Grants - RCO **This program was not funded by the Legislature in 2026 and will not be accepting grant applications. ** The Washington State Legislature funded the Outdoor Learning Grants program with the goal to develop and support outdoor educational experiences for students in Washington public schools.

All children deserve access to outdoor spaces where they can learn, play, and grow, but access to outdoor educational opportunities is inequitable. From reducing stress, to improving mental and physical health, outdoor-based learning helps youth thrive.

Research shows that students who participate in outdoor educational activities are more likely to graduate, are better behaved in school, and have more relationships with peers, higher academic achievement, more critical thinking skills, and more direct experience of scientific concepts in the field. They also have better leadership and collaboration skills and a deeper engagement with learning, place, and community.

The program is administered by the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. RCO manages the portion of the fund that is available for organizations that partner with public schools. Public schools seeking funding should visit the outdoor education for all web page.

Grant Application Schedule Application Webinar, Applications Open April 12, 2027 This program will not be accepting applications in 2026. Applicant must start PRISM application by this date. May 21, 2027 This program will not be accepting applications in 2026.

June 4, 2027 This program will not be accepting applications in 2026. June 18, 2027 - July 19, 2027 This program will not be accepting applications in 2026. Tier Three Question and Answer Evaluation Sessions July 17, 2027 - July 18, 2027 This program will not be accepting applications in 2026.

Preliminary Ranked List Announced August 4, 2027 This program will not be accepting applications in 2026. September 30, 2027 This program will not be accepting applications in 2026. Most recent grants and evaluation results, listed by the application year.

Outdoor Learning Grant Supported Schools The Everyone Outdoors Program provides groups with the opportunity to apply to receive free annual Discover Passes. The program is available to Washington-based groups supporting underserved communities, youth programs, nonprofit organizations, veteran organizations, volunteer groups, and other groups that face barriers to outdoor access.

Visit the Everyone Outdoors Program website for more details. Outdoor Schools Washington has created materials to help outdoor schools and overnight sites create programs that enrich and challenge children. The state Legislature requires a set of guidelines for high-quality outdoor schools in the state and these materials will help foster program growth and positive outdoor learning through overnight experiences.

Experiential outdoor education Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) activities Hands-on habitat restoration and stewardship projects Natural resources career-connected learning Leadership development and mentorship opportunities Federally recognized Native American tribes Outdoor education providers Local governments (cities, towns, counties, port districts, park and recreation districts, etc.) Qualified nonprofit organizations (501(c)3, 501(c)1, or 501(c)4 tax-exempt organizations).

See the grant manual for specific requirements. Grants are awarded in odd-numbered years. The Legislature provides funding from general tax dollars.

The interactive map and dashboard below display projects by county, funding year, and application status. Select different map layers to display projects by school district or legislative district. Click the tabs in the upper right to select different funding years and whether projects are funded, not funded, or in application status.

Zoom in on the map to see specific projects. Clicking a project will display more details such as the grant applicant, grant amount, and links to application materials and photographs. View the interactive map and dashboard in full screen.

There are three funding categories: Tier One: $10,000-$50,000 per project Tier Two: $50,001-$100,000 per project Tier Three: $100,001-$175,000 per project There is no match required. Eligible programs include pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade experiential education activities that teach in and about the outdoors. Programs must develop and support educational experiences for students and partner with Washington public schools.

Grants are available to support capacity for outdoor learning experiences. Programs should focus on outdoor education aligned with the Washington State content learning standards , including the development of social and emotional learning skills .

Programs are encouraged to review the Since Time Immemorial curriculum developed by the Office of Native Education in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and infuse traditional ecological knowledge in the field experiences for students.

In implementing student educational experiences, outdoor education providers should ensure equitable access for students in all geographic regions and high levels of accessibility for students with disabilities.

The following project costs must be essential to the program purpose (see budget worksheet ): Curriculum development (aligned with Washington State learning standards) Food and non-alcoholic beverages Indirect costs up to 10 percent Habitat restoration projects. Activities may not take place in archaeological sites ( Revised Code of Washington 27. 53.

060 ). Project sponsors must provide appropriate documentation before student involvement in restoration activities. Contact an RCO outdoor grants manager for more information.

Mobile equipment and cargo trailers Travel and per-diem for two in-person events to be held during the agreement period (to be included in budget worksheet ). Facility construction or improvement projects. (e.g., raised beds, gardens, and raingardens; decks and boardwalks; open-air shelters; permanent outdoor classroom infrastructure; outdoor kitchens and fish pits; ropes course facilities).

Out-of-state student travel, except for bordering counties and cities in Oregon and Idaho . Pre-agreement costs. RCO will pay only for work performed after grant agreements have been signed by both RCO and the project sponsor.

Post agreement costs. Costs for eligible activities must be incurred within the grant agreement period. Reservations for facilities or activities after the agreement period are ineligible.

Preparation of this grant application . Projects that do not include direct youth outdoor education programming. Purchase of motor vehicles or motorboats.

Equipment bought with grants should be retained for eligible or similar uses. See details in the grant manual . Beth Auerbach , outdoor grants manager, 360-280-6103 Edison Velez , outdoor grants manager, 360-340-1280 Washington Relay for the hearing impaired, call 711.

Some upcoming grant application deadlines may be adjusted due to the government shutdown. Find deadline updates on the corresponding grant pages. PRISM, RCO’s database for grant project management, is unavailable.

Thank you for your patience as we work to get it back online.