THRIVE OUTSIDE GRAND RAPIDS

The Thrive Outside Grand Rapids Community is led by Our Community’s Children, a partnership of the City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Public Schools; the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department; and a close set of initial partners in the Grand Rapids Environmental Education Network. Thrive Outside is kick-starting a comprehensive outdoor program for Grand Rapids youth to connect with nature, play outdoors, and serve as leaders in neighborhood and park projects that engage families and children. This initiative allows Grand Rapids to build on the foundation set forth through the Connecting Children to Nature initiative and brings to scale, through planning and partnerships, a citywide effort to engage children in nature. Grand Rapids works to engage kids of all ages with an emphasis on those in fifth through 12th grades. This investment leverages additional foundation support, and its opportune timing will pave the way for further public and private investment.

Key Focus Areas:

Gear Library, public-private partnerships, and school-based programming

Backbone Organization:

Our Community’s Children

Steering Committee Partners:

Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation, Grand Rapids Public Schools, and Grand Rapids Environmental Education Network

Community Partners:

Blandford Nature Center, Boys & Girls Club of Grand Rapids Youth, Commonwealth, Camp Newaygo, Expanded Learning Opportunities Network, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Grand Rapids Audubon Club, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Groundswell, John Ball Zoo, Latino Outdoors GR, Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, Outdoor Afro, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Switchback Gear Exchange, and West Michigan Environmental Action Council