Missouri State Parks Bus Grant Program

The Missouri State Parks Bus Grant Program provides funding to schools and nonprofit organizations to cover transportation costs for field trips to state parks and historic sites. This initiative aims to enhance outdoor learning experiences for children, connecting them with nature while promoting cultural and recreational opportunities. Eligible costs include bus mileage, charter services, and driver wages. The program supports a maximum of two grants per school district to ensure broad access to these valuable educational resources.

Bus grants assist schools and nonprofit organizations with the transportation expenses of field trips and outdoor learning opportunities at Missouri state parks and historic sites. Bus grants have been made available to Missouri schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
Information on eligible field trip destinations can be found on the Missouri State Parks website.
Purpose
The purpose of the grant program is to promote natural, cultural, and recreational opportunities at Missouri state parks and historic sites. Missouri State Parks offers busing grants to underwrite the cost of field trips for schools and non-profit organizations in an effort to connect children with nature.
Grant Requirements
To maximize funding availability statewide, two grants per school district may be awarded during the initial review (only one application per school per field trip will be accepted). Additional applications may be considered after all awards have been made and upon funding availability.
Funding must be used to underwrite the costs of transporting youth (Pre-K through12th grade) to a Missouri state park or historic site.
Examples of eligible costs include:

• standard mileage for buses or vans owned by a school or organization; charter bus costs; and wage/salary costs for bus drivers.

Applicants are responsible for making all transportation arrangements. Applicants must contact the state park or historic site to coordinate field trip activities prior to submitting a grant application.