SANTA FE – Calling all teachers! Apply now for Kids 'n Parks Transportation Grants to take full advantage of outdoor educational opportunities at YOUR New Mexico State Parks. The deadline to apply for 2024-25 school year grants is September 24, 2024.  

"State Parks strongly supports meaningful, hands-on outdoor classroom experiences," said State Park Director Toby Velasquez. "2024 is the 17th year that we have supported the Kids 'n Parks Transportation Grants, a component of the New Mexico Outdoor Classroom Program, which has funded more than 170,000 student visits to New Mexico State Parks!" 

Kids 'n Parks Transportation Grants help teachers and schools pay for buses and other transportation to experience any of the 35 state parks located in 25 of 33 counties across the state. The State Parks Outdoor Classroom Program provides students with first-class learning experiences, including interpretative and immersive education related to conservation, cultural and natural resources, and outdoor recreation. 
 
In 2023, teachers rated the program an 8.9 out of 10 for their overall experience with 95% of participants agreeing that the field trips tied into the standards and benchmarks specified in their applications. 

"The day was very valuable overall with the opportunity ONLY being possible with the Kids 'n Parks travel funds," said a participating teacher. "Having a connection with the park ranger/interpreter made the day also academically enriching."   
 
The primary contact partner for, processing, and awarding transportation grants is the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, a branch of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Their direct and fillable application form link is: https://forms.gle/muj8oLhFVVzmPWDH9 . State Parks encourages previous grant recipients and first-time applicants to apply on or before the September 24 deadline. 
 
Outdoor Classroom Program trips must be to a New Mexico State Park. A list of parks is available at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/ . Applicants must be a teacher or representative of a public or public-charter school within a New Mexico school district. The strongest applications clearly link classroom study with the proposed field trip. Teachers may plan one or more field trips, but cost will be a selection consideration. Detailed information and application can be found at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/kids-n-parks/.