As part of our ongoing "green" series, leading up to the NRPA Summit on Environmental Stewardship, May 4-7 in Portland, Ore., we featured a great story in the February issue of Parks & Recreation that combines the best of youth development and conservation efforts. It's the KidsGrow program, run by Baltimore's Parks & People Foundation.
The full article, of course, is in the magazine. But we were also able to catch up with Jackie Carrera, the foundation's executive director, and Monica Logan, KidsGrow program manager, to ask a few questions about their experiences with getting the program up and running, and what they might suggest to other agencies considering a similar program.
Here's what they had to say:
P&R Now: What were some of the challenges you experienced in getting the KidsGrow program going?
Jackie Carrera: Our challenges early on were finding funding following an initial investment by the U.S. Forest Service. This challenge remains today.
Secondly, while we originated our program in recreation centers, we eventually had to move to schools. Our hope was to integrate the program into the recreation center programming, but the attendance in our program was low and inconsistent. We found that some children had a hard time getting to the centers after school and others were never a part of the center to begin with, so they were reluctant to join. By being school-based, we met the kids where they were and were able to build a solid program from there.
Monica Logan: Presently being in school settings we have experienced some logistical challenges acquiring space for the program and in hiring school-day teachers. Most school-day teachers are unable to commit to a five-day-a-week program at lower wages then they might through a school-subsidized program. Once we had staffing and logistics in place, the program has been very successful in engaging and retaining students.
PRN: How difficult was it to get funding?
JC: Initially, the program was funded by the U.S. Forest Service. Beyond the first couple of years, we were able to tap into the foundation community’s targeted funding for programs for middle school children. This funding was supplemented with small environmental project grants and occasionally a bigger government program, but only temporarily.
In recent years, the program has been funded primarily by the after-school community. Education funding requires a high level of alignment with the state curriculum and is harder to come by. Environmental education funding is sparse.
ML: Over the years it has become more challenging to find large multi-year grants from funders. As is key to the sustainability of any program, it is important to have a diversified array of support.
KidsGrow has received funding from environmental education, youth development, and academically focused sources. Thankfully, over the past two to three years, the Baltimore city government and the public schools system have given increasing financial support to after-school programs that have proven [achievement in] positive youth development and academic outcomes.
PRN: How have the kids responded to the various programs? Can you provide any specific examples?
ML: Students, parents, and principals consistently give KidsGrow high marks for the diverse hands-on experiences, outreach, and trips that are at the foundation of the program. A student from our 2004-2005 [program] wrote the following:
“I think [KidsGrow] is inspiring and educational because it keeps children out of trouble and teaches them about the environment. Also, it is good for children to learn more after school hours. We have many decisions and categories to choose from when we do different things. [It] is a place where I can go and express myself with no problems. Next, we are learning how to recycle in our community by picking up trash so we don’t have a lot of pollution.”
Below are some student quotes from our 2007 year-end evaluation:
“I learned you should always eat healthy food so you can get stronger.”
“I learned to pick up trash for the community.”
“I learned to plant and ride boats.”
“I liked the teachers and the trips and the cool things we are learning.”
JC: The older children tend to like the advocacy component of the program, while the younger children are excited to learn the facts.
One past group of middle-schoolers, after discovering a polluted quarry in their neighborhood, contacted their city council representatives and spoke out on a local [National Public Radio] talk show. As a result, the company that owned the site paid $50,000 to clean it up. The kids knew they did something to make their neighborhoods safer and cleaner. They all like to be a part of something positive.
PRN: What recommendations might you have for other public park and recreation agencies that would like to begin offering "green" or environmental programming?
ML: I would recommend that groups offer “green” programming that will be relevant to the population they are targeting. In KidsGrow, and all of Parks & People’s environmental outreach, we strive for others to see the link between their actions and the impact on the environment. Once this connection is made, the children and adults are more receptive and even enthusiastic about greening issues. Programming should also be diverse, hands-on, and engaging.
JC: Partner with local environmental groups to maximize each agency’s expertise. Nonprofits have the ability to raise funds and work flexibly to create innovative solutions, while government agencies have the skilled youth development staff and, of course, the kids.
PRN: What impact do you think the program has had on the greater community--aesthetically or otherwise?
ML: Over the last decade, KidsGrow has made a strong and lasting impact on its participants and the greater Baltimore community. This is evidenced by the hundreds of trees planted, gardens created and tended, streams and neighborhoods cleaned, and other outreach activities. Most importantly, KidsGrow has instilled a sense of curiosity in children about their natural surroundings, and the belief that they play an integral part in ensuring that Baltimore is clean and green.
Discover more by visiting the Parks & People Foundation’s Web site.
