Shore schools receive grants for educational field trips
Image courtesy of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
Students at underserved Jersey Shore schools will be enjoying educational field trips thanks to a grant from New Jersey foundations and a state agency.
The Community Foundation of New Jersey and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation announced today that their pilot program, Field Trip New Jersey, has awarded more than $45,000 in grants to schools, according to a release.
The 83 grants will fund field trips to arts and culture sites, historic landmarks, nature preserves, and science institutions in New Jersey, as well as college campuses throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to award these grants to help bring learning to life,” said Chris Daggett, president of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, in the release. “Field trips add a whole new dimension, making learning fun while also deepening students’ educational experience. All of our students deserve these opportunities.”
Both foundations are working to raise an endowed, dedicated fund of $2 million to continue to offer $50,000 in field trip grants annually. Other program donors include the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the New Jersey Historical Commission.
“With the costs associated with field trips becoming increasingly hard to come by, there’s a need to fill the gap,” said Hans Dekker, president of the Community Foundation, in the release. “We want to continue providing this fund, but we need your help and invite anyone with a fond field trip memory or a love of learning to show their support.”
Anyone wishing to donate to Field Trip New Jersey can contribute here.
At the Jersey Shore, the following schools received grants:
Atlantic County
Chelsea Heights Elementary School, Atlantic City: $658 for a field trip to the Educational Extravaganza at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood (Science & Nature).
New York Avenue School, Atlantic City: $700 for a Grade 3 field trip to Cold Springs Village in Cape May (History, Science & Nature).
Egg Harbor City Public Schools, Egg Harbor City: $600 for a Grades 3 and 8 field trip to the Cape May County Park and Zoo’s Buddies program (Science & Nature).
Davenport Primary & Elementary School Complex, Egg Harbor Township: $400 for a PreK field trip to Cape May County Zoo in Cape May Court House (Science & Nature).
Jordan Road School, Somers Point: $500 for a Grade 8 field trip to the Coast Guard Station in Cape May (History, Science & Nature).
Dawes Avenue School, Somers Point: $490 for a Grade 2 field trip to Estell Manor Park in Mays Landing (Science & Nature).
New York Avenue School, Somers Point: $490 for a PreK field trip to the Cape May County Zoo in Cape May in Cape May Courthouse (Science & Nature).
Ventnor Board of Education, Ventnor: $700 for a Grade 2 field trip to the historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May (History).
Monmouth County
MLK Middle School, Asbury Park: $700 for a Grades 6,7,8 field trip to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City’s Life Skills Exploration exhibit (Science & Nature).
Bradley Elementary, Asbury Park: $432 for a field trip to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia (Science & Nature).
Hope Academy Charter School, Asbury Park: $420 for a Grades 6-8 field trip to Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township (Arts & Culture).
Mercy Center – Sisters Academy of NJ, Asbury Park: $450 for a Grades 5 and 7 field trip to Camp Sacajawea in Farmingdale (History, Science & Nature).
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, Asbury Park: $700 for a Grade 5 field trip to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City (History, Science & Nature).
Early Childhood Center, Neptune: $231 for a PreK field trip to Monmouth University’s Pollack Theater in West Long Brance to see a production of Curious George (Arts & Culture).
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Red Bank: $472 for a Grades 1-3 field trip to Monmouth University’s Pollack Theater, Live Children’s Theater and Seven Presidents’ Park (Arts & Culture, History).
Ocean County
Academy Charter High School, Toms River: $550 for a Grades 10-12 field trip to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia to explore the Science of Pixar and Lost Egypt exhibit (History, Science & Nature)
To see the full school listing for New Jersey, click here.
Disclosure: Justin Auciello, the author of this article, is the publisher of Jersey Shore Hurricane News (JSHN), which has received funding from the Community Foundation of New Jersey and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation for reporting and community engagement projects.
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