EORA (Eastern Outdoor Reps Association) announced recipients of its inaugural Outdoor Opportunity Grant Program, which rewards $500 to  local non-profits in each of the regions its members serve. 


EORA targets organizations in need of financial assistance with their youth oriented outdoor programs.  The goal is to encourage the engagement of our youth with the great outdoors through activities.

Below is a list of the recipients along with a brief description of the program.


Mid-Atlantic region



  • Mohonk Preserve  www.mohonkpreserve.org
    The Mohonk Preserve Children’s Forest is an off-trail, woodland environment, rich with natural resources where creative play and imagination are encouraged to flourish. EORA funds will ensure that the “toy chest” is kept stocked with tools that children can use to explore nature. Items will include: a small wheelbarrow, long-handled shovels and rakes, gardening tools, pails and baskets for gathering and collecting, and metal pie plates for collecting and sorting nuts, pine cones, etc.

  • Saranac Lake Rotary Foundation– Dewey Mountain Friends www.saranaclakerotary.org
    Dewey Mountain Youth Ski League is the heart of the Town of Harriestown's Dewey Mountain Recreation Center programming.  Sixty children from the Saranac Lake School District participated last year.  Low-income participation was 13%. EORA support helps to provide purchase of gear for children to participate.

New England region



  • Kismet Rock www.kismetrockfoundation.org
    Kismet is a technical climbing school for economically disadvantaged youth. The EORA grant will help offset the cost of ten new climbing helmets for the upcoming climbing season.

  • Belay Inc www.on-belay.org
    On Belay provides unique adventure based programs that build community among youth ages 9 to 19 who have or have had a family member with cancer. On Belay plans to expand its programs by working with Ripple Effect and running a program on Cow Island, Maine, located just off the coast of Portland. The Ripple Effect options that On Belay is considering include kayaking, zip line team challenge, high challenge course and low rope activities.

Southeast region



  • Asheville Youth Cycling www.ashevilleyouthcycling.com
    The goal of Asheville Youth Cycling is to increase participation among young people in all aspects of cycling. Funding will be needed for supplies, food, transportation, advertising and basic equipment.  The organization targets youth aged 10-18 in Western North Carolina.

  • EarthShare out of North Carolina/ Campout Carolina www.campoutcarolina.org
    Campout Carolina is an annual event that encourages individuals and groups across the state to show their support for a healthy environment by camping out in their backyard or favorite campsite.  The funds provided by EORA will be matched by Great Outdoor Provision.
     

Each non-profit will receive $500 in funding at the start of 2013. Check out our Facebook page throughout the year for photos, and updates from our recipients.  Applications for the 2014 program will be open in July 2013.