Lots of research shows that getting kids active out in nature makes them happier, healthy and more successful in their lives.
Getting kids outdoors is the focus of Washington State Parks’ No Child Left Inside grant program, funded by the Legislature in 2015 to provide money for schools, community and environmental groups to use for outdoor education, recreation and leadership programs.
With help from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, in 2016, Washington State Parks awarded $940,000 in grants for 19 projects in 15 counties statewide. The funded projects benefit more than 8,000 children and youth. Examples include: