Project
Outdoor Wellness Program
Hundreds of children attend Springfield Boys and Girls Clubs before and after school. The Clubs are a safe place for these children to go and receive food, help with homework, and mentorship. They build friendships here and are provided access to a number of opportunities within their six core program areas: Sports & Recreation, Education, The Arts, Health & Wellness, Workforce Readiness, and Character & Leadership. 37N Expeditions realized that there seemed to be one opportunity that wasn’t being fulfilled, though, which was outdoor education – how to both enjoy and take care of one’s environment. That’s when Boys & Girls Clubs, 37N, and Hatch sat down to figure out how to change this.
Partners
Project Details
We funded a program through 37N to help kids develop skills in outdoor recreation, conservation, and community engagement
The program is active at two of the Boys and Girls Clubs locations in Springfield. The kids participating can earn three degrees: Outdoor Skills, Citizen Science, and Modern Birding. The Outdoor Skills wellness degree has on-site sessions covering important concepts and off-site field trips to apply the learned skills, while the Citizen Science degree hones in on their observation skills and fostering a sense of wonder for nature. Finally, the Modern Birding degree culminates in an exciting waterborne field trip using kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to explore various bird species in an aquatic habitat.
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