Grant program will assist schools to visit Death Valley

As part of the National Park Service's 100th birthday, Death Valley National Park and the Death Valley Natural History Association are offering transportation grants for school groups to participate in field trips to the popular tourist site.

This opportunity presented itself via donations from Death Valley National Park education program supporters, including the Branson Family Foundation.

"Death Valley Natural History Association is thrilled to be able to assist school groups in coming to Death Valley National Park," said David Blacker, executive director of the Death Valley Natural History Association. "Death Valley offers a unique learning opportunity and educators should not miss a chance to bring out their school groups."

Various activities are available for students, including exploring the sand dunes, discovering ancient landscapes in a canyon, studying unique habitats and exploring the lowest point in North America.

"This is an exciting opportunity to invite local students and teachers to celebrate the National Park Service Centennial by learning and exploring in the park as an outdoor classroom," said Mike Reynolds, Death Valley National Park superintendent. "We hope that the students' experiences connecting to Death Valley will inspire continued support of the national parks into the next 100 years."

The grants will assist schools to help pay for transportation costs and other expenses that visit in the spring.These grants are intended to help students who may not otherwise have the chance to visit the park, in addition to schools that are limited by transportation and/or other costs to support a field trip to Death Valley or any other site.

The field trip transportation grants are part of the nationwide Every Kid in a Park initiative, which includes free admission to national parks and federal lands to all fourth-grade students and their families.

Families of fourth graders should visit www.everykidinapark.gov to apply for a free pass before they visit a national park.

Teachers and school administrators can request additional information about transportation grants, education programs, and the Every Kid in a Park initiative by contacting Education Program Coordinator Brandi Stewart, at 760-786-3285 or Brandi_Stewart@nps.gov.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @mickakers