No Child Left Inside

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s No Child Left Inside (NCLI) grant program aims to provide quality opportunities for underserved, underrepresented, and historically excluded youth to engage with the outdoors. Established by the Washington State Legislature in 2007, the program aligns with a mission to improve overall academic performance, self-esteem, health, community involvement, and connection to nature for youth. It also seeks to empower local communities to facilitate outdoor education and recreation experiences. The program is administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) on behalf of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. The NCLI program targets underserved, underrepresented, and historically excluded youth as its primary beneficiaries. The impact goals are broad, focusing on holistic development including academic improvement, enhanced self-esteem, better health, stronger community involvement, and a deeper connection to nature. By offering a diverse range of outdoor activities, the program intends to cultivate these outcomes. The program prioritizes a wide range of outdoor education and recreation activities, including environmental education, leadership development, outdoor recreation and adventure, stewardship activities, and camp programs. Typical projects encompass water activities (kayaking, fishing), winter activities (snowshoeing, skiing), overnight and day camps (environmental education, outdoor skills), outdoor adventure (rock climbing, mountain biking), and other culturally informed activities (outdoor cooking, survival skills). This diverse approach allows for varied engagement and skill development among participants. Expected outcomes include improved well-being and academic performance among youth, increased self-esteem, and a greater sense of community involvement. Measurable results would likely stem from participation rates, feedback from youth and community leaders, and observable changes in behavior and engagement with the outdoors. While specific metrics are not detailed, the emphasis on quality opportunities and various forms of engagement suggests a theory of change where structured outdoor experiences lead to positive developmental and social outcomes for youth, thereby fostering a more connected and healthier generation. The program’s strategic priorities are clearly centered on inclusivity and accessibility to nature for all youth in Washington State.