• There are many grant opportunities that fund youth outdoor projects.two girls gardening image by Cherry-Merry from Fotolia.com
  
  According to ClassroomEarth.org, outdoor youth programs, such as environmental education projects, are beneficial for children in many ways. Not only do these activities give children the opportunity to participate in hands-on and interactive learning, but they enable children to learn how to solve real-world problems, work in teams, connect with the community and make a difference in the world, according to ClassroomEarth.org. "Hands-on experiences motivate students to learn and pay off in better test scores, better social skills and increased parental involvement," according to ClassroomEarth.org. There are many grant opportunities that support outdoor educational projects for youth.
  
  

REI Grants

• In 2009, REI contributed about $2 million to about 250 nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that implement programs that help conserve land and connect individuals with the outdoors, according to REI.com. Previous grantees have accomplished projects such as protecting foot trails and rivers, and environmental workshops, according to REI. Unsolicited grant proposals are not accepted, and local REI stores instead determine if a particular organization is eligible for funding.
  
  REI
  PO Box 1938
  Sumner, WA 98390
  800-426-4840
  rei.com/aboutrei/grants02.html
  
  

Captain Planet Foundation

• The Captain Planet Foundation provides grant funding to schools and nonprofit organizations that strive to implement hands-on and interactive environmental projects, such as gardening activities or land conservation programs, according to CaptainPlanetFoundation.org. The foundation will award as many projects as funding will allow, according to CaptainPlanetFoundation.org, and grants typically range from $250 to $2,500. It's required that proposed projects be hands-on for youth, include adult supervision, promote interaction among children and focus on environmental issues, according to CaptainPlanetFoundation.org.
  
  Captain Planet Foundation
  133 Luckie Street, 2nd Floor
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  404-522-4270
  captainplanetfoundation.org/default.aspx?pid=3&tab=apply
  
  

Lowe's Toolbox for Education

• Lowe's awards Toolbox for Education grants to schools and parent groups that implement a facility-enhancement project or cleanup and landscaping projects, according to ToolboxForEducation.com. Lowe's places emphasis on projects that focus on family involvement, according to ToolboxForEducation.com, and many projects funded include children participating in outdoor projects. The funding ranges from $2,000 to $5,000, according to ToolboxForEducation.com.
  
  Lowe's Toolbox for Education
  P.O. Box 1111
  North Wilkesboro, NC 28656
  800-644-3561
  toolboxforeducation.com/faq.html