The N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission provides outdoor learning opportunities for youth across the state of North Carolina. This state-wide grant program directly supports the creation of outdoor clubs for middle/high school-level students by providing start-up funding, guidance, and resources.

Eligible schools must qualify as either a North Carolina middle school, high school, or early college (including public, charter, and private schools).

Any member of a school’s faculty or administrative staff may apply for a Trailblazers Club, however, it is strongly encouraged that the intended club advisor complete and submit the application.

Once your school has successfully joined the program, you do not need to reapply. It is the Commission’s intention to support clubs into their second year. Funding for these clubs is contingent on an appropriation from the General Assembly and a specific amount will be determined annually by the Commission.

The application reopens each year in early January and closes April 12^th.

The structure of the club is determined by the recipient school. A club advisor is required, and student leadership positions are strong encouraged:

Club Advisor(s)

The club advisor is the faculty member responsible for leading the club, planning field trips and activities, purchasing equipment, and grant reporting. You may decide to have multiple advisors and share these responsibilities.

Student Leadership

Electing club members to leadership roles can provide an excellent opportunity for students to develop leadership and communication skills. You may choose to have positions such as President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Archery
• Backpacking
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Caving
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Horseback riding
• Hunting
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Skiing
• Sport shooting
• White water rafting

Don’t see an activity on the list? Contact us at GoOutside@nc.gov to see if your planned activity fits our guidelines.

The planning of your club’s activities throughout the school year will be determined by your club advisor and faculty, however, we make recommendations for the allocation of field trips, club meeting activities, and equipment purchases. A sample curriculum with suggestions on field trips and club meeting activities can be found HERE.

Field Trips

Field trips must include an outdoor learning component/activity (e.g., camping, hiking, kayaking) and may include visits to National/State parks, city/county parks, outdoor recreation areas, outdoor activity/education centers, and historical sites.

Club Meeting Activities

Club meetings provide an opportunity for students to be involved in planning and preparation for field trips, and to learn outdoor skills. Examples of skills students could learn about in a club meeting include how to: safely build a campfire, put up a tent, pack a backpack, cook with a campfire.

Equipment Purchases

Equipment purchases will be dependent on your club’s proposed activities but may include items such as fishing rods, tents, backpacks, kayaks, or first-aid kits.

Funding is intended to build a club and fund field trips, club meeting activities, and equipment for the inaugural school year.

Field Trips

Field trips must include an outdoor learning component/activity (e.g., camping, hiking, kayaking) and may include visits to National/State parks, city/county parks, outdoor recreation areas, outdoor activity/education centers, and historical sites.

Club Meeting Activities

Club meetings provide an opportunity for students to be involved in planning and preparation for field trips, and to learn outdoor skills. Examples of skills students could learn about in a club meeting include how to: safely build a campfire, put up a tent, pack a backpack, cook with a campfire.

Equipment Purchases

Equipment purchases will be dependent on your club’s proposed activities but may include items such as fishing rods, tents, backpacks, kayaks, or first-aid kits.

Professional Development

Club advisors may request to utilize a portion of the funding for professional development that contributes to the safety and longevity of the club. This may include courses such as Wilderness First Aid.

Our expectation is that club advisors will maximize the impact of their club funding by sustainably planning as many outdoor field trips as possible within the school year and holding regular activity/planning meetings with members. For example:

4 field trips to local outdoor areas (costing $2,000 each) to go camping, hiking, kayaking, fishing with $2,000 allocated to equipment (that can be reused) is preferable.

1 large field trip costing $10,000 with no sustainable equipment purchases is not preferable.

Once the application period closes, please allow up to 4 weeks for your application to be reviewed. Typically, you will be notified of the status of your application within 4 weeks of the application close date. Exceptions may occur for applications that require the submission of additional documentation or further review. 

You are welcome to submit presentations, videos (ideally no more than 2 minutes in length), photos, testimonials, etc. with your application. However, this is not required, and it will not negatively affect the review of your application if you choose not to submit supporting information.

If your application is successful, you will be asked to complete a Club Plan form. Your club plan will detail the field trips you intend to take, outdoor skills your members will develop, equipment purchases, and other costs associated with running your club.

Grant awards will be sent directly to the recipient school system prior to the beginning of the Fall semester. If your application is successful, it is important to ensure that your school’s bookkeeper is aware that you will be receiving funding – the Commission has no control over how a school receives their funding and, depending upon your school’s setup, funds may be sent directly to your school’s county office.

At the end of the school year, club advisors are required to submit a Club Reporting form, proof of payment, and photographs. You can view grant reporting information HERE. The following documentation is required:

Club Reporting Form

This form is where the advisor will indicate how much of their funding has been spent and indicate whether there are funds remaining. This form is signed by the club advisor and the school’s Principal.

Proof of Payment

For each purchase we require two forms of proof of payment, to include a copy of a check stub and/or account transaction summary AND a receipt, invoice, or purchase order.

Photographs

Recipients must submit photographs of their field trips and club activities that we may use on our website, social media, and in our print and other materials.

It is the Commission’s intention to support clubs into their second year. Funding for these clubs is contingent on an appropriation from the General Assembly and a specific amount will be determined annually by the Commission. It is strongly encouraged that club advisors and faculty formulate a strategy for fundraising and club sponsorship. The Commission has rolled out sponsorship levels, that give donors the option to make one-time or recurring gifts to the agency or specific school systems. Learn more about our sponsorship levels HERE.

Club funds must fund the purchases and costs listed in an approved application. If you need to make a change to your application, you must first complete and submit an Amendment Request form, found HERE, and email it to GoOutside@nc.gov. Please note that an amendment request must be approved by the Commission before grant awards can be spent as described.