What We Do
We engage kids with the great outdoors by providing fully funded park experiences that
1) align with classroom curricula,
2) encourage health and wellness through outdoor recreation, and
3) foster future park stewards and conservationists.
Who We Serve
We currently serve 77 Title I public, public charter and private elementary and middle schools in
18 states and Washington, D.C.
More than 80% of our students qualify for free or reduced-priced lunch.
How to Help
Each school is supported by individuals, corporations, and foundations. Help us sustain our current schools and grow to support students in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
About
The Buddy Bison school program currently benefits children in 77 Title I schools across the country by enhancing existing school curricula, encouraging health and wellness through outdoor recreation, and fostering future park stewards and conservationists.
For Educators
Our youth program staff is dedicated to educating teachers and students on how to use our parks as fun outdoor classrooms with lessons that directly align with the school’s curricula and standards of learning.
Blue Star Families
We work with Blue Star Families to create family-friendly park experiences that feature STEM and history education as well as outdoor recreation activities.
Where's Buddy Bison Been?®
Find out where Buddy Bison has been! Our friends and supporters enjoy sharing the parks and public lands that they explore with our pint-sized mascot Buddy Bison. #BuddyBison
Buddy Bison Ambassadors
Click here to meet our Buddy Bison Student Ambassadors: Tigran Nahabadian from California, Sarah Hullihen from New Jersey, Audrey Elliott from North Carolina, and Bryan Wilson from Navajo Nation (AZ)!
Get Your Buddy Bison
Get your very own Buddy Bison to take on your next park adventure. Each Buddy Bison purchased helps NPT send a kid to a park!
Mascot Rental
Find out how to have Buddy Bison at your next park event! Click here to learn more or contact Emily Edgar at (301) 279-7275 xt. 22.
Every Kid in a Park Pass
Hey 4th Graders! Get your Voucher for a free Every Kid in a Park pass to all federal public lands here. This year’s pass features a photo of our Buddy Bison kids.
NPT Recognized for Getting Kids to Parks
Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) presented NPT with an inaugural OAK Leaf Award which recognized our “leadership and collaboration in connecting kids with nature.” Read more.
