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manager, and amount determined, rolling dates until all scholarship money allocated. <br />- Spring camps begin March 27,2017, end April 14, 2017 <br />- Summer camps begin June 12, 2017, end August 25, 2017 <br />- Fall camps begin Sept. 18, 2017, end Oct. 13, 2017 <br />- Winter camps begin Dec 26, 2017, end Jan 12, 2018 <br />i) Why is funding this program a good investment for the community? How does funding this <br />program add value to the community? (250 words OR LESS) <br />Our partnership with Orange County Parks and Rec is providing visibility for their new park <br />by bringing environmental education programs to the park. Environmental Education <br />programs were listed as a main attraction to park facilities by their focus group (p. 6 -11, <br />OCPR Needs and Assessments). The focus group also stated the need to expand camp <br />programs. The Counselor -in- Training program offers a wonderful opportunity for teens to <br />develop into future leaders and have skills to use to teach, spark an interest in our <br />environment providing them with a possible direction to a career they want to pursue. Our <br />organization also has a conservation division offering outreach programs for all ages, helps <br />educate our communities on conservation which brings awareness to the importance of <br />living a sustainable lifestyle. Several of our staff have nature museum experience and could <br />be a great partner and resource for development of a nature center. <br />j) Describe what would happen if requested funding is not awarded at all or if a reduced allocation is <br />recommended. <br />Financial aid requests increase yearly. Families are turned away and the chance to connect <br />that child with nature and forming a deep and lasting bond with their surroundings is <br />diminished. Holding camps in several locations, allows us to better serve our surrounding <br />communities, reaching more kids. Without additional funding, our desire and ability to offer <br />the same ratio of scholarships for all of our camp locations will not be possible. We would <br />have to reduce the amount of scholarships per venue impacting families in several counties. <br />k) Include any other pertinent information. <br />Please refer to section K, page 14 of this application. Feedback from our parent surveys <br />from campers who attended Blackwood Farm camps last summer: "This is a wonderful <br />program, and so perfectly located for parents in Hillsborough. I think Mr. Jarl did an amazing <br />job, and I hope Piedmont Wildlife has camps available in future summers at this locale! "; <br />"Both my husband and I are outdoorsy people, but it has been so fun and rewarding <br />experiencing Blackwood Farm Park with our child. Our son has really enjoyed being the <br />'expert' on our hikes there, which has been incredibly rewarding for all of us. "; "The kids <br />being out in nature. It was peaceful and inspiring for them.,, <br />1/12/2017 2:56:42 PM 23 Of 29 <br />