Do you remember your first hike? Most of my inner-city students have never been out in nature. They don't own hiking boots and they don't hike up mountains, other than the metaphorical ones that present themselves as obstacles to their learning and growth.
My Outdoor Adventures Club students are enthusiastic about getting closer to nature.
We have taken them hiking, and the pride they showed at the top of the mountain was indescribable. Rarely do they have the opportunity to get outside of the city and into the woods that are just miles from their homes. Yet, they so desperately want these experiences. Our club members are incredibly diverse - they include immigrants, refugees, and non-English speakers. Almost all of them come from poverty-stricken families who are working hard to provide their kids the basics. They can't afford to give them the extras - which is why I am trying to help bridge the gap for them.
My Project
I am trying to build up a supply of gear for our Outdoor Adventures Club. Our kids can't afford to buy their own equipment, so my goal is to create a gear room from which they can borrow what they need for our adventures. We have been doing more and more intense hiking, and want to add a handheld GPS to our equipment. We will use it on hikes, and for orienteering classes and scavenger hunts.
This project is incredibly important because our inner-city kids need the opportunity to get into nature.
Consider these findings: Nature buffers the impact of life stress on children and helps them deal with adversity. The greater the amount of nature exposure, the greater the benefits. Nature helps children develop powers of observation and creativity and instills a sense of peace and being at one with the world. You have the opportunity to help bring the outdoors to wonderful students.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Bauer and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.