The ChariTree Foundation is helping bring learning outside
* Due to huge demand, the latest ChariTree Foundation outdoor classroom funding opportunity has now closed. Follow on Twitter @Love_Trees or check The ChariTree Foundation website to see when the 2025 round of funding will open.
The ChariTree Foundation has expanded its climate education mandate by helping schools and children’s camps across Canada build outdoor classrooms. We also help build outdoor classrooms in Africa by working with registered Canadian charities.
The goal is to get kids outdoors more and give them more opportunities to participate in accessible outdoor learning and climate education programs. Let’s give them opportunities to survive and thrive while contributing positively to their ever-changing world.
This next round of funding is now closed for:
Canadian schools and summer camps. If your Canadian school or camp is building an outdoor classroom (in Canada or Canadian registered charities building outdoor classrooms and children’s learning gardens for environmental education programs in Africa) as part of an outdoor learning program, fill out the form below to apply. The grant application window will only be open for a few days until grant funds have been allocated so fill out the form right away.
* If your school or outdoor learning program has already received a grant to build an outdoor classroom, you can apply aga
in to help complete your outdoor classroom. Preference will be given to outdoor programs that haven’t received previous grants.
IMPORTANT:
Only Canadian schools, children’s camps or registered Canadian charities can apply if they have the ability to:
• email info [at] c
haritree-foundation [dot] org by November 1, 2024 a letter acknowledging that your school or camp has received $5,000 from The ChariTree Foundation to help build your outdoor classroom.
$5,000 grants will be announced by September 26, 2024 and if selected, your school or camp funds will be sent
out on September 30, 2024.
Follow on Twitter @Love_Trees or check The ChariTree Foundation website for updates.
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Once your grant is received please:
* Understand that The ChariTree Foundation is a small, grassroots environmental education and United Nations Climate Observer organization run by executive director Andrea Koehle Jones on her own for free in her free time when she is not at her other jobs. It is up to your school to use the funds to build your outdoor classroom. The ChariTree Foundation strives to reach children and youth especially kids in areas hardest hit by the impacts of climate change and youth who would otherwise not be able to participate.
While The ChariTree Foundation supports any learning in an outdoor environment, please include environmental education. Here are just a few benefits of environmental education for children and teens that will help them thrive and survive in their ever-changing world:
- Raising Environmental Awareness: Helps children understand and appreciate nature, fostering a respect and love for the environment.
- Developing Critical Thinking: Encourages children to analyze and solve real-life environmental challenges, improving problem-solving skills.
- Promoting Healthier Lifestyles: Increases outdoor activity, reducing screen time and supporting physical and mental well-being.
- Instilling a Sense of Responsibility: Encourages children to take care of their surroundings and be conscious of their ecological impact.
- Supporting Academic Growth: Connects environmental topics to subjects like science, math, and geography, enhancing academic learning in all subjects.
- Encouraging Collaboration: Involves teamwork in activities like community clean-ups, tree planting or garden projects, promoting social skills and cooperation.
Please send photos of your students learning in your outdoor classrooms or quotes about how much they help children as these will help The ChariTree Foundation attract more donors (we don’t solicit donors, just hope our work creates word of mouth) — so we can even get more children having fun and learning outdoors.
Email info [at] charitree-foundation [dot] org by November 1, 2024 a letter acknowledging that your school or camp has received $5,000 from The ChariTree Foundation to help build your outdoor classroom.
Follow on Blue Sky @charitree.bsky.social or check The ChariTree Foundation website for updates.
Get outdoors and do what you do best, have fun teaching amazing kids – they need you now more than ever!
Learn more about outdoor classrooms in Canada:
Take a Hike, an outdoor classroom program, expands on Vancouver Island | CBC News
Vancouver teacher praises benefits of taking kids outside of classroom to learn | CBC News
Rural Sask. school embraces outdoor education with open-air classroom | CBC News
Outdoor classrooms rising in popularity as N.L. kids return to school amid COVID-19 | CBC News
PHOTOS — Check out these outdoor learning spaces | CBC Kids
