“If we want to create a generation of citizens who care about protecting our environment, we need to give them experiences as kids that let them connect with nature,” said Eric Vines, executive director of the Gray Family Foundation. “And that philosophy is what drives the Gray Family Foundation.”
This week, the Gray Family Foundation announced grants totaling more than $370,000 to support outdoor school education across the state.
The Foundation is also committed to using the power of outdoor experiences to reinforce core elementary and secondary educational goals. Research suggests that educational experiences that happen outside create the engaging learning that reinforces retention, deepens
understanding, and promotes critical thinking skills. The Gray Family Foundation was established by the late businessman and philanthropist John Gray and members of his family. Remembered for his development on projects such as Salishan, Sunriver and Skamania
Lodge, Gray spent decades giving back to Oregon through thoughtful philanthropy. The Gray Family Foundation is carrying on John Gray’s legacy.
Examples of experiences that Gray Family Foundation grants will make possible include the following:
- Hermiston School District will send 370 fifth grade students from five elementary schools to Kiwanis Campground at Buck Creek for two nights.
- LaPine Middle School will send 90 sixth grade students to Camp Magruder for three nights.
- 70 fifth grade students from Adams Elementary in Eugene will spend two nights at Camp Cedar Ridge.
- 140 students from Robert Frost School in Silverton will attend Camp Tadmor for two nights.
- In Multnomah County, more than 2400 students will attend various camps for between two and five night
For a full list of grants, please visit www.grayff.org.