Kids to Parks Field Trips Connect More Kids to Nature

How Washington State Parks Foundation donors are connecting underserved youth with state park adventures

Oftentimes, our earliest memories of being a kid involve playing outside. Every child deserves the chance to spend more time learning and playing in the great outdoors. State parks offer an amazing opportunity to connect kids with not just nature, but also hands-on learning about ecosystems and stewardship of our shared lands and waters. In 2025, Washington State Parks Foundation donors helped send over 1,000 students from Title 1 schools on field trips to state parks through the Kids to Parks program, creating lasting memories for underserved youth across the state.

For many children, this was their first ever field trip to state parks. Kids from kindergarten to 12th grade got to learn about a variety of topics through hands-on educational activities, which focused on wildlife, biodiversity, and food webs. They also interacted with and learned from storytellers who shared cultural and historical knowledge like early trading practices. In total, kids visited seven different parks, from Deception Pass in the west to Riverside in the east.

At Deception Pass, first-graders got to connect their in-class curriculum on animal habitats with real-life observations. One teacher reflects fondly:

“Most of our first-grade students have never been to Deception Pass State Park before despite living so close. They were thrilled to learn about the habitats, animals, and explore the beach. All of my kids kept saying, ‘this is the best day ever.’”

Field trips also sparked a sense of empowerment and connection to the outdoors. A teacher who brought students to Saint Edward State Park shares:

“Our scholars have become more joyful and excited about the outdoors. Scholars want to go fishing, hiking, swimming, and camping on the next outdoor field trips.”

Kids to Parks funding also went toward free summer programs for underserved community groups to visit Sun Lakes Dry Falls and learn about the natural history and wildlife of this region.

The Washington State Park Foundation’s mission is to make parks welcoming to all. The Kids to Parks program opens the door to children who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to visit state parks. Schools must be Title 1 to apply, meaning they serve communities with higher rates of economic need and often have less funding available for enrichment activities.

The Washington State Parks Foundation is proud to continue the Kids to Parks program in 2026. With your support, we can keep providing meaningful opportunities like these for Washington’s children.