No Child Left Inside Grant Program

No Child Left Inside Grant Program

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission's No Child Left Inside (NCLI) grant program provides quality opportunities for underserved, underrepresented, and historically excluded youth to learn, play, and experience the outdoors. The Washington State Legislature established the program in 2007 with two primary goals: to improve the overall academic performance, self-esteem, health, community involvement, and connection to nature for youth; and to empower local communities to engage youth in outdoor education and recreation experiences.

Research has shown that spending time outdoors produces powerful benefits for youth, including reduced depression and anxiety, improved focus, better social connections, and enhanced learning and creativity. NCLI supports essential youth outdoor programs across the state and helps to remove barriers for youth to access the outdoors.

NCLI provides grants for a wide range of outdoor education and recreation activities including environmental education, leadership development, outdoor recreation and adventure, stewardship activities, and camp programs. RCO administers NCLI for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Read the new fact sheet (PDF, 1.4MB). 

Typical projects

• Water activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, boating, fishing, and rafting
• Winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding, and snow camping
• Overnight and day camp activities such as environmental education, outdoor skills development, hiking and camping
• Outdoor adventure activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, and archery
• Other activities such as outdoor cooking, survival skills, wilderness medicine, foraging, and culturally informed activities such as sense of place or nature scavenger hunts

Who may apply?

• Community-based programs
• Local agencies
• Native American tribes
• Nonprofit organizations
• School-based programs
• Special purpose districts, such as park and recreation districts
• State agencies

Application deadlines and important dates

• Aug. 8, 2024: Applicant webinar, applications open register for webinar
• Oct. 31, 2024: Final applications due 
• Jan. 29 - March 7, 2025: Evaluation period (written reviews) for Tiers 1 and 2
• March 5 - March 6, 2025: Evaluation period (live presentations) for Tier 3
• May 30, 2025 (estimate): Preliminary ranked lists approved
• July 31, 2025 (estimate): RCO issues project agreements

Visit the Recreation and Conservation Office's website for more information.