North Carolina Public Schools Share $1M in Field Trip Funding

North Carolina public schools – especially Title I schools – are eligible to apply for their share of $1 million in funding for field trips that give students hands-on educational experiences at locations run by the state’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR).
Speaking alongside DNCR Secretary Reid Wilson at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Gov. Roy Cooper introduced the “Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund,” which will offer reimbursements to K-12 public schools across the state.
“Hands-on learning through field trips is an important part of children’s education, but not all students have the opportunity to experience them,” Cooper said. “This program will help ensure that public school students have the opportunity to take field trips regardless of barriers like cost or location.”
The program prioritizes Title I schools and encourages visits to DNCR’s more than 100 locations, which include state parks, historic sites, museums, aquariums, and the zoo. A portion of the funds will be reserved for schools in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene to ensure these communities have equal access to the opportunity.
Applications for the fund are now open. For more information, visit www.dncr.nc.gov/learn/learning-happens-here.