Dark skies over Voyageurs National Park can sometimes be brightened by the Northern Lights / NPS

Voyageurs National Park and park partner Voyageurs Conservancy are recipients of an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF). This grant will further the reach of the Voyageurs Classroom Initiative, a joint education program connecting thousands of youths to the national park and encouraging them to recognize Voyageurs as an outdoor classroom as well as an inviting space for families to deepen connections with one another. 

Project support will increase staff capacity for the Dark Sky Classroom and expand park-based field trips. Launched in February 2022, the Dark Sky Classroom brings students out of their desks and immerses them in the wonder of Voyageurs National Park’s night sky through live virtual field trips and park visits. Students learn about inspiring phenomena such as northern lights and how to engineer solutions that protect starry skies. Schools from across the state and nation are eligible to participate in this free program. 

“We are excited for this opportunity to bring more students to Voyageurs through virtual and in-person learning and expand the knowledge and love of the dark skies over Voyageurs,” said Tawyna Schoewe, Lead Program Manager at Voyageurs National Park. 

The Open OutDoors for Kids grant will support a park ranger and Conservancy education specialist to bring the Dark Sky Classroom to students across Minnesota and beyond. Additionally, funding supports Voyageurs Teacher Workshops, allowing participating teachers to dive into Voyageurs Classroom curriculum; learn engaging classroom lessons; and become experts on the rich ecology, geology, and cultural history of Minnesota’s national park.  

“Teachers are our strongest allies in fostering the next generation of park stewards. This Open OutDoors for Kids grant empowers us to reach educators in innovative ways and offer teacher workshops in the park and remotely. Together, we can bring Voyageurs National Park directly to classrooms,” said Breanna Trygg, Education & Outreach Director at Voyageurs Conservancy. 

Since 2011, NPF has engaged more than one million students in educational programs connecting them with national parks across the country. NPF’s goal is to connect another one million students to parks by 2024. The NPF Open OutDoors for Kids program is made possible by private philanthropy, including support from Youth Engagement and Education premier partner Union Pacific Railroad. Additional support is provided by Apple, Sierra, Columbia Sportswear, Parks Project, The Batchelor Foundation, Inc., Humana, and many individual donors.