In the 5-year strategic plan that we created in 2014, we set out to prioritize reaching more students from underserved communities with our environmental education programming.

We’re proud to announce that in 2019, we had our greatest ever 1-year impact in this area, reaching over 2,500 students in underserved communities.

Programs like Grow Wild Outside (GWO) helped us reach this goal.

The program, funded by ongoing support from the Westchester County Youth Bureau, is an afterschool science enrichment program for young learners. GWO develops children’s innate interest in the natural world by engaging them in hands-on science activities that teach core STEM skills. Each session, nature and science concepts are introduced and children learn through unstructured play, exploration, observation, lively games and themed activities. 

This enrichment program occurs year round, giving Park School students the ability to experience Teatown in all seasons, develop a strong sense of place at our preserve and encourage bonds with the Teatown staff.