This has been a very exciting year so far for Inside the Outdoors! We expect to serve 126,000 students and teachers by the end of this year! (That's in just a couple weeks!)
Thanks to all of you who made it possible; to our staff, teachers, parents, and community supporters! Without supporters like you many of these students would not be able to experience the wonderful hands-on experiences that they do with Inside the Outdoors throughout the year.
Our year is almost to a close and will begin a new with summer camp in July and school programs in Spetember. However, the funding need has dramatically increased for this next year. We all have felt the dip in the economy and this is when we need our supporters to rally around us the most! There are many ways to show your support for Inside the Outdoors Foundation. You can make a donation, become a member, come to one of our many community events (http://ito.ocde.us/Programs/Community.htm), volunteer, or spread the word and share Inside the Outdoors Foundation with your friends, family, and co-workers!
From the words of a student:
"Thank you so much for your donation. This was a great experience and you made it possible!" - Tori, 5th Grader, attended Outdoor Science School
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Schools continue to face significant cuts in core programs making it almost impossible for them to take field trips without help from the community. However, the need for science-based field trips that enhance classroom learning continues to increase as students need a strong science foundation to be prepared for their future. With the help of our supporters like you Inside the Outdoors has been able to provide necessary sponsorships to deserving, low income students so that they are able to participate in Inside the Outdoors Programs.
Since the start of the 2010-2011 school year Inside the Outdoors has served over 38,000 students and of that 27,000 were sponsored at some level to be able to attend our programs. The students and teachers that participate in our programs continually tell us how grateful they are to be able to attend one of our Field Trips or Outdoor Science School as well as how ITO's programs raise their science test scores and gives the students more confidence with science and everyday activities.
“This program brings out the best in kids who don’t normally enjoy science in the classroom! It’s such a treat to watch these kids get excited.” - 5th Grade Teacher, Los Coyotes Elementary School
“I will never forget that I saw a whale and a dolphin and other creatures when I went to Crystal Cove. Thanks for making this possible for me!” - Kelly, 5th Grader
“The adventurer, risk taker, explorer, inquisitor, part of their personas came to life. You really helped plant the need to know for the children. Thanks!” - Principal, Wilson School
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It's that time again! Kids are waking up early, preparing their backpacks, and getting on school buses all over the nation. With the start of school also comes the start of Field Trips and Outdoors Science School, connecting children to nature and giving them valuable real life lessons that they can apply when they return to their classrooms. At Inside the Outdoors, the hustle and bustle of training staff and getting schools signed up is well under way. During this busy time we work with many teachers who are trying to find funding to help pay for the Field Trips their students need and look forward to all year. Last year Inside the Outdoors was able to give sponsorships to 82,800 students! It's with your help that makes it possible for these students to experience nature in a way they never have before. For some of these students parks and open spaces are just something they have heard about from others, never going there themselves. Some of these students have never seen stars in a night sky before or have ever been to a place where there are no buildings and freeways for miles. This is what Inside the Outdoors offers to students, teachers and their families. This year Inside the Outdoors expects to give sponsorships to thousands more low income students. Your generous donations continue to make this possible. Students eyes will continue to light up with wonder and amazement, teachers will continue to see their students understanding concepts as never before, parents will continue to hear the joy and appreciation for the experiences their children received. It is these experiences that make what we do so meaningful in the lives of these children.
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In the 2009-2010 academic year, Inside the Outdoors was able to give sponsorships to 48,000 low income students to attend environmental education field trips. These field trips give students an experience of a life time, something they would otherwise not get. The students and teachers are so grateful for the sponsorships given to them that there is no better way of hearing this than from them.
“Dear Donor,
I thank you for the donation of the trip to Crystal Cove. The donation was very helpful for all children because some couldn’t pay the money that was needed for trips. I had so much fun going to Crystal Cove because I had never went to explore the Coastal Sage scrub and seeing all the sea creatures. I enjoyed doing everything at the field trip. I especially liked going on the scavenger hunt and seeing humpback whales. I learned so much on this field trip, I learned about the sea creatures and the plants that can heal bug bites and I learned what the sea creatures eat too. I thank you so much for this field trip, I will never forget it.
Sincerely, Mario (5th grade student)”
“Dear Sponsors, On behalf of my colleagues, students, and school community, I would like to take this time to express my gratitude. This year Melrose’s 4th grade students had some amazing experiences, and none of these experiences would have been possible without this funding. We were the recipients of a 3 field trip grant. First we had a traveling scientist come to our school and spend the entire day providing our students with hands-on, standards based learning! Next we were able to attend two amazing filed trips. We studied at Upper Newport Bay and Irvine Regional Park.
Our students are second language learners, 98%+ free lunch, and live in poverty everyday. These trips enabled our students to travel to places that they had never been before. Their horizons were broadened, their dreams brightened, and their spirits were elevated just knowing that someone cared enough about them to provide these trips. For this kindness, we can’t thank you enough.
Sincerely, Barbara Barboza – 4th grade team lead”
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