Field trip grants awarded to over 5,000 Indiana K-to-12 students

INDIANAPOLIS – Students at 72 Indiana schools will experience the outdoors during the 2026-27 school year thanks in part to a grant program that supports field trips to Indiana State Parks and other state park-managed properties.

The Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program helps K-12 schools and is administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), the supporting nonprofit of the DNR.  

Grants of up to $500 are awarded to cover transportation costs, program fees, and classroom supplies related to the field trips. Generous donations to the program have also allowed it to increase the total dollars distributed.   

The program will distribute $30,154 through 72 grants this year, the largest amount in its existence. An estimated 5,019 students will benefit.

Area schools receiving grants for field trips include:

• CSA Fodrea Elementary School in Columbus - visiting Brown County State Park
• Schmitt Elementary School in Columbus - visiting Brown County State Park
• Rock Creek Elementary School in Columbus - visiting Spring Mill State Park
• Pleasant Crossing Elementary School in Whiteland - visiting Brown County State Park
• Ray Crowe Elementary School in Whiteland - visiting Brown County State Park
• Whiteland Community High School in Whiteland - visiting Brown County State Park
• Village Roots Collective in Greenwood - visiting Fort Harrison State Park