Bringing Youth Outdoors Together and Environmental Steward Program

The Bringing Youth Outdoors Together and Environmental Steward Program, funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), focuses on youth development through recreation, education, volunteerism, and career exploration opportunities in national parks and public lands. The program emphasizes engaging youth, particularly from underserved communities, including urban, rural, military, and Native American settings, in outdoor activities and conservation efforts. Participants will have access to unique recreational experiences, educational learning opportunities in nature and history, service-learning projects, and exposure to potential careers within the National Park Service. The program aims to foster long-term engagement with natural and cultural resources while building leadership skills and environmental stewardship ethics among participants. Specific goals include creating opportunities for outdoor recreation partnerships, supporting educational programs delivered by partner organizations, promoting volunteer opportunities, and providing summer employment and internships for teens aged 15 to 18. The program also aligns with the DOI's Secretarial Order 3366, which focuses on increasing recreational opportunities on public lands. The funding opportunity is structured as a Master Cooperative Agreement with no pre-allocated funding attached. Instead, funding will be determined through specific Task Agreements issued under the overarching Master Agreement. Each task agreement will detail specific project goals, budgets, and deliverables. The agreements will enable collaboration between the National Park Service and partner organizations to achieve the outlined objectives. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, educational institutions, and other community-based entities with experience in youth development and outdoor education. Priority may be given to organizations with a demonstrated capacity to reach underserved communities and create meaningful, sustained engagement with public lands. Applicants are expected to outline detailed plans for participant recruitment, program delivery, risk management, and performance evaluation. Submission requirements include a comprehensive project narrative, detailed budget, letters of support or partnership agreements, and documentation of organizational capacity. Applications must be submitted electronically through the designated grants platform by the specified deadline. Proposals will be evaluated based on the clarity and feasibility of the project plan, alignment with program objectives, organizational capacity, and potential for long-term impact. Successful applicants will be expected to report regularly on project progress, including participant demographics, program outcomes, and financial expenditures. Final performance and financial reports will be required upon completion of each task agreement. The National Park Service may conduct periodic site visits or audits to ensure compliance with program requirements and to assess project performance.