Fort Vancouver National Historic Site received an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF). This grant will enable the National Park Service to offer diverse learning opportunities at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, including both virtual and on-site field trip programs. For the first time, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is expanding traditional field trip opportunities to include virtual field trip programming options. Virtual and on-site education programs at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site correlate with state educational standards and meet the needs of the populous metropolitan community surrounding the park. On-site and virtual field trip programs for Spring 2022 are offered Tuesday, March 1 through Friday, June 3, 2022.

"Field trips to Fort Vancouver are a highlight of elementary education for thousands of local students every year,” said Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Superintendent Tracy Fortmann. “Educational opportunities create memories for students which last a lifetime. As a unit of the National Park Service, educational programs at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site provide students with an understanding of the national and international significance of our community's history. This grant will allow Fort Vancouver National Historic Site to reach more students by expanding educational programming, both in-person and virtually."

Educational opportunities at Fort Vancouver are woven into school curriculum and help children process how local history, including difficult topics like colonialism and trade, affects our community today. Educational programs at Fort Vancouver encourage deeper personal connections with history, creating unique memories that shape the way local children view our community and heritage. The National Park Service preserves nationally significant places for the inspiration, education, and enjoyment of this and future generations. Expanding on-site and virtual educational programming allows students better access to meaningful experiences in the national park. 

Students from our local community and across the country will benefit from the array of on-site and virtual programming offered at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. On-site field trips currently serve over 20,000 students at the park each year. The Open OutDoors for Kids Grant allows Fort Vancouver National Historic Site to provide transportation reimbursement to Title 1 schools visiting the park. The funding also supports expanding outreach to Title 1 schools beyond Clark County, Washington into the Portland, Oregon metro area. Virtual programming also amplifies the reach of field trip programs to regional and national audiences, as there are no geographical limitations to virtual programming. Reservations for Spring 2022 on-site and virtual educational programs are open now. To learn more about field trips at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and reserve your spot, visit our Field Trip webpage.

Since 2011, NPF has engaged more than one million students in educational programs connecting them with national parks across the country. NPF’s goal is to connect another one million students to parks over the next four years. 

“National parks are America’s largest classrooms,” said National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth. “With parks, learning is fun, memorable, and hands-on. Parks open kids’ eyes to the wonder and complexities of nature and history, and the National Park Foundation is committed to connecting as many kids as possible to parks through our Open OutDoors for Kids program.” 

The NPF Open OutDoors for Kids program is made possible by private philanthropy, including support from Youth Engagement and Education premier partner Union Pacific Railroad, and supporting partner GoGo squeeZ. Additional support is provided by Apple, Sierra, Columbia Sportswear, Parks Project, The Batchelor Foundation, Inc., Humana, and many individual donors.

Learn more about NPF’s efforts to engage students with national parks as classrooms.

ABOUT FORT VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, in sight of snowy mountain peaks and a vibrant urban landscape, this park has a rich cultural past. From a center for Indigenous trade, to a frontier fur trading post, to a powerful military legacy, the magic of flight, and the origin of the American Pacific Northwest, history is shared at four unique sites. Discover stories of transition, settlement, conflict, and community. Learn more about Fort Vancouver National Historic Site on our website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION 

The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at www.nationalparks.org.