Cooperative Agreement P23AC00543

THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS PROJECTS THAT FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) AND EFFORTS IN NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY THAT ARE NOT COVERED UNDER OTHER SPECIFIC FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. WILDERNESS INQUIRY S CANOEMOBILE BRINGS OUTDOOR LEARNING TO LIFE AND INTRODUCES PARTICIPANTS TO THEIR LOCAL WATERWAYS AND PUBLIC LANDS. THROUGH OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CANOEING, HIKING, WATER QUALITY TESTING, AND EXPLORATION OF CULTURE AND HISTORY, CANOEMOBILE ENGAGES YOUTH TO IMPROVE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE, CULTIVATES A STEWARDSHIP ETHIC, AND CREATES PATHWAYS TO PURSUE EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE OUTDOORS.THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO CONNECT 500 TWIN CITIES YOUTH TO THE NATURAL, HISTORIC, AND BUILT SYSTEMS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR. THIS PROJECT WORKS WITH YMCA TO ENGAGE URBAN YOUTH IN THE SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE - CLOSE TO HOME - WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE THE MEANS TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMPS OUTSIDE OF THE METRO. EACH YEAR, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NPS, WE WILL DEVELOP AND DELIVER TWO DAYS OF OUTDOOR SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING LAND AND WATER-BASED ACTIVITIES, AT THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA WITH THE GOALS OF INTRODUCING YOUTH TO ACCESSIBLE NATURE-BASED RECREATION AND PROMOTING THE OUTDOORS AS AN INCLUSIVE SPACE TO LEARN, GROW, AND THRIVE. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, PUBLIC NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS ORGANIZATIONS, NON-FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC DECISION MAKERS, RESEARCH SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.