YOU CAN HELP: Local school loses grant for outdoor education

Highland Park Elementary students won’t get an outdoor experience unless grant money is raised. Here’s the request we received to share with you:

Let’s Keep the Highland Park Elementary Overnight Camp Tradition Alive!

For decades, Highland Park Elementary 5th graders have spent an unforgettable week at Camp Sealth, building confidence, resilience, and connection with nature.

This year, state budget cuts canceled our Outdoor Learning Grant—and we need to raise $15,000 to make camp possible.

Highland Park is a wonderfully diverse West Seattle school — 71% of our students are from minority backgrounds, and about 60% are classified as economically disadvantaged. Many of our students have never had the chance to experience an overnight outdoor camp, and this program would provide an incredible opportunity for learning, teamwork, and connection with nature.

The crowdfunding link is here.

11 Replies to "YOU CAN HELP: Local school loses grant for outdoor education"

  • K November 21, 2025 (9:09 am)

    Is the crowd funding somewhere on the Camp Sealth website, or is there a separate link?

  • Melissa November 21, 2025 (9:14 am)

    We’d love to donate, but that’s a link to an ad for the camp, not a crowdfunding link. Help, please?

  • Just Curious November 21, 2025 (10:21 am)

    Donated. Anyone know why HPE goes to Camp Sealth, not Islandwood like other SPS 5th graders?

    • School by School November 21, 2025 (12:34 pm)

      Not all SPS 5th graders to go Islandwood, it’s a choice by school.  In my experience, there are many programs that are more affordable than Islandwood and with the grant cut to all schools, many don’t have the funds anymore.  

    • AmyC November 21, 2025 (8:01 pm)

      A number of the SPS schools that had done Islandwood in the past, have had to pivot, because of the lack of grant money. The YMCA camps are MUCH more affordable. (Not that Islandwood wasn’t amazing, it’s just at a much higher cost.)

    • Alki Parent November 22, 2025 (7:25 am)

      As others mentioned, not all go to Islandwood. Alki 5th graders a few years back went to Chief Sealth. Not sure if that’s where they continue to go. 

  • AlkiBean November 21, 2025 (4:20 pm)

    Happy to help! I remember going to camp on Orcas Island when I was that age!

  • HP Community Member November 22, 2025 (7:32 pm)

    Thank you to everyone who has donated to support our amazing fifth graders at Highland Park!!

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