Crowdfunding campaign to help area children visit Yellowstone

    Many school children from the states surrounding the world's first national park have never visited Yellowstone. The Yellowstone Park Foundation (YPF) is working to change that with its crowdfunding drive to help kids participate in Expedition Yellowstone. (EY photo)

    Expedition Yellowstone press release

    BOZEMEN, Mont. — Children in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho are fortunate that they have the opportunity to visit Yellowstone frequently. Or do they?

    The fact is, many school children from the states surrounding the world’s first national park have never visited Yellowstone. The Yellowstone Park Foundation (YPF) is working to change that with its crowdfunding effort designed to help kids participate in Expedition Yellowstone.

    This unique program immerses students in grades 4-8 in Yellowstone history, wildlife, geology, stewardship and is led by park rangers. However, this multi-day, life-changing program is not affordable for every school.

    The crowdfunding goal is $10,000 and is hosted on Indiegogo.com. Since its May 13 launch, 69 donors have contributed $4,127, to get to 50% of the crowdfunding goal. The campaign ends on June 22nd, but there is still time to donate and have a significant impact on a young student’s life.

    Student writing in journal during Epedition Yellowstone!; Photographer unknown; October 2005
    Student writing in journal during Epedition Yellowstone!;
    Photographer unknown;
    October 2005

    “The money raised from individual donations will go directly toward scholarships to school groups that would not otherwise be able to participate in this outstanding program,” said Karen Bates Kress, president of the Yellowstone Park Foundation. “Every gift up to $5,000 will be matched 1-to-1 by an anonymous YPF donor.

    Last year, 41 school groups from Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming participated in Expedition Yellowstone. Nearly half of these groups received scholarship funds from YPF to help pay for the curriculum-based, award-winning program. For around 25percent of these 814 area students, it was their first time visiting Yellowstone.

    “Every child should be able to experience the wonders of Yellowstone,” said Kress.  “We want to ensure that money is not a barrier to students participating in this exciting adventure.”

    What is the YPF?

    The Yellowstone Park Foundation has more than 20,000 individuals, corporations and foundations that donate to YPF each year, and has served as Yellowstone National Park’s official fundraising partner since 1996. Its mission is to fund projects and programs that protect, preserve, and enhance the natural and cultural resources, and the visitor experience of the Park.

    So near, and yet so far. Last year, 41 school groups from Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming participated in Expedition Yellowstone. Nearly half of these groups received scholarship funds from YPF to help pay for the curriculum-based, award-winning program.
    So near, and yet so far. Last year, 41 school groups from Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming participated in Expedition Yellowstone. Nearly half of these groups received scholarship funds from YPF to help pay for the curriculum-based, award-winning program. (YNP photo)

    YPF established the scholarship fund in 2003 to help more school groups attend Expedition Yellowstone. Today, on average, 45% of the total class fees for the groups receiving scholarships are covered by YPF scholarship funds.

    The remaining funds are covered through school district funds, support from families and creative fundraising efforts. Learn more at www.ypf.org/ExpeditionYellowstone.

    YPF has raised more than $92 million, and funded more than 325 important projects and initiatives since its inception including wildlife research, cutthroat trout restoration, trail restoration and youth education. For more information, please go to www.ypf.org.

    YPF established the scholarship fund in 2003 to help more school groups attend Expedition Yellowstone.  Today, on average, 45% of the total class fees for the groups receiving scholarships are covered by YPF scholarship funds.
    YPF established the scholarship fund in 2003 to help more school groups attend Expedition Yellowstone. Today, on average, 45 percent of the total class fees for the groups receiving scholarships are covered by YPF scholarship funds.