Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Goddard Youth Camp
Legal Name (if Different): Goddard Youth Foundation
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 2964 Goddard Youth Camp Rd
City: Sulphur
State: OK
Postal Code: 73086
Main Phone: 580-993-3333
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.goddardyouth.camp/
Employer ID Number: 73-0749570
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 1/25/25
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: General Operating Support
Project Description:

Goddard Youth Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1967 and located in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Designated by the U.S. Congress as a National Environmental Education Landmark, Goddard Youth Camp is the longest-running environmental education program in the country and the only educational program located in a national park. Serving as a national model for using nature’s classrooms to teach students about the environment, Goddard Youth Camp provides the ultimate field trip experience! Over 250,000 youth from Oklahoma and North Texas have attended Goddard Youth Camp.

Goddard Youth Camp creates a bridge for children to nature, resulting in significant health benefits and increased classroom performance. It is a 44-building camp with residential cabins, teaching and meeting spaces, a large dining hall, five maintained natural trails, and a museum. Public and private schools coordinate with the camp to send classes of fourth through ninth-grade students and their teachers to spend three or five days at the camp for memorable environmental education lessons in science, history, and culture.

While schools pay a small fee to attend, the amount per child is very low, resulting in the need to supplement program income with grant funding to make the experience available to all who wish to attend. By keeping registration costs low, Goddard can ensure access to this opportunity for students in high-poverty areas, allowing students a transformative experience that introduces them to nature’s wonders.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Goddard served approximately 4,200 students annually. In 2023, Goddard served 3,200 students. In 2024, Goddard Youth Camp was able to extend invitations to new schools and served more than 4,000 students! With your support, Goddard can continue to increase the number of students served and come closer to reaching its goal of serving 4,500 students annually.

Total Project Budget: $676,700

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Partners providing general operating support include the Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation ($50,000), Charles B. Goddard Foundation ($25,000), and Bass Pro and Cabela’s Outdoor Grants ($10,000). Goddard Youth Camp is fortunate to cover its operating expenses through program income (camp participant fee, museum admission fee, and museum gift shop sales). With post-pandemic tensions lessening, schools are resuming field trips, and educational sites such as Goddard Youth Camp are in great demand. This results in the need for fundraising to provide scholarships for school field trips, as Goddard hopes never to turn away a school for its inability to pay.

Project Duration: 01/01/2025-12/31/2025
Geographical Area Served: Goddard works with over 40 schools and corresponding district offices in central and southern Oklahoma and north Texas. This year, Goddard has space to provide new schools with the opportunity to experience hands-on environmental education.
Age Group To Be Served: Goddard provides camp experiences to fourth through ninth-grade students.

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Clayton
Contact Last Name: Edgar
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 580-993-3333
Contact Email: goddardyouthcampok@gmail.com