Last week, Project Promise kicked off its 2020 Salt River Bay-Open Outdoors for Kids Program, which gives local fourth- graders the opportunity to visit and learn about the incredible history of the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve.
The three-part program was designed by Project Promise founder Resa O’Reilly. Part 1 is an introduction to the park at the school. Part 2 is an on-site park tour and jewelry-making session. Then Part 3 wraps things up with a post-experience in-class visit by the instructor to review what was learned.
While national parks are found throughout the United States, several factors affect students’ abilities to access them. A lack of transportation options and financial means, working parents who are unable to provide transportation, and geographic proximity are all potential challenges to park visitation for young people.
“Our Salt River Bay Program provides many students’ first trip to this national park,” said O’Reilly. “Thanks in large part to the support of the National Park Foundation, each year over 400 students participate in this program. Our goal is to give every fourth-grade student in St. Croix this eye-opening and horizon-expanding experience.”
The National Park Foundation (NPF) is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. It raises support for diverse, in-park educational experiences that connect students of all ages to their local parks and inspires the next generation of park champions.
“National parks are vibrant living laboratories that enrich learning for students of all ages,” said National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth. “The National Park Foundation and its partners are bridging the gap to make transformational experiences possible for one million students and counting, eliminating barriers to access and maximizing educational benefits.”
Project Promise For more information about the Salt River Bay Program, contact Resa O’Reilly at 244-3242. Project Promise is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth on St. Croix by providing empowerment initiatives, cultural programs and family services. To learn more about Project Promise, visit the website at www.projectpromisevi.com.
The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.
