Ticket to Ride Scholarship Fund

A scholarship fund that provides financial assistance to enable young people in the Twin Cities to participate in Mississippi National River and Recreation Area educational programs.

Purpose: By providing funds for kids' program registration, boat tickets, or bus fare, the Ticket to Ride scholarship fund removes financial barriers that prevent urban youth from accessing park programs and outdoor experiences.

Goal: Provide 3,000 kids with the means to take part in national park programs on the river.

Geographic Scope: Twin Cities area, Minnesota

Target Population:

• Urban youth who face barriers to accessing outdoor programs
• Children who may never visit a traditional national park
• Students from low-income communities

Eligible Programs:

• Big River Journey
• Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures
• Take Me to the River
• Other Mississippi National River and Recreation Area education programs

Program Focus:

• Teaching about the history, value, and importance of the Mississippi River
• Building lifelong relationships with the river and outdoors
• Outdoor skill development (paddling, bird watching, plant/animal identification, fishing)
• Environmental stewardship education

Contact Information:

• Mississippi Park Connection
• 111 East Kellogg Boulevard, Suite 105
• Saint Paul, MN 55101
• Phone: (651) 291-8164
• Email: info@parkconnection.org