Gateway to the Great Outdoors

GGO is excited to announce a job opening for a full-time director-level position, the Chicago City Director. This position will involve leading the programming, operational, and development efforts of GGO in the City of Chicago. Here is a general overview of the position:

Are you passionate about hands-on outdoor and science education? Do you care about environmental justice and urban nature? Gateway to the Great Outdoors (GGO) is seeking a Chicago City Director to connect students with the outdoors, ignite curiosity, and build environmental literacy.

Key responsibilities include program coordination, classroom material coordination, activity planning, program improvement, fundraising, internal and external communication, and supervision of AmeriCorps members and college mentors.

Positive impact, engaging work, and community focus are among the many reasons to join us. We hope to hear from you soon!

We are looking for candidates who are passionate, strong communicators, organized and detail-oriented, proactive and ready to engage, and committed to social justice and public health in the Chicago community.

Please send in resumes and cover letters to [email protected].

We appreciate your interest in this position and look forward to hearing from you!

Hello friends of GGO! We are excited to announce our second annual garage sale, Recycle Retail, which will take place on Saturday, July 20th from 8 am to 2 pm at the Sunset Hills Community Center. The event space is kindly being donated to us by our partners at Sunset Hills Parks + Recreation. We are currently seeking item donations for the sale, including used clothing, furniture, household items, books, and school supplies. Please donate any of the following items to get entered into a free raffle!
- Pencils
- Pens
- Notebooks
- Binders
- Crayons
- Calculators
- Glue
- Scissors
- Backpacks
- Lunch Boxes
Please contact Daryl Huitt or Alex Martyn to coordinate pick-up for any items you might want to donate. If you are seeking to buy items rather than donate, we hope to see you at the event! Thank you in advance for your support!

Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character development in schools and communities, today certified 73 schools as National Schools of Character. Earl Nance Sr. Elementary School, one of GGO's key partner schools in Saint Louis Public Schools, is earning this distinction for the first time! Congratulations to principal Tyler Archer and the entire Nance community on this tremendous accomplishment. We cannot wait to see how you continue to grow and excel over the next school year!

Urgent Update:

Today on , we're facing a tough challenge. With just four donations so far, we need the support of our St. Louis community more than ever. Your generosity can help us continue our impactful work with SLPS students in Title 1 schools. Every donation counts, no matter how small. Let's rally together and make a difference today! https://www.givestlday.org/organization/GGO

Give STL Day is coming to an end by midnight tonight, and it presents an opportunity to support your favorite non-profit organizations in the St. Louis community, such as GGO! Please use to following link to donate: https://www.givestlday.org/organization/GGO

Between our exciting camping trips, being named Saint Louis Public Schools Community Partner of the Year, and the hiring of a new director, GGO is busier than ever. So, please consider supporting us as we continue to grow our reach and offer the benefits of the great outdoors to more students! Thank you for all of your support today, and please keep in touch with us! Saint Louis Public Schools Earl Nance Sr. Elementary School Froebel Literacy Academy Upper Limits Patagonia

Hello again! As Give STL continues, please keep the donations coming to support our mission of getting kids outside and igniting scientific curiosity! Please use the following link to donate: https://www.givestlday.org/organization/GGO

Time for a flashback... to just a few days ago! This past week, students from Earl Nance Sr. Elementary School and Froebel Literacy Academy embarked on a journey to Camp Wyman in Eureka, Missouri. Students in 4th through 6th grade engaged in a variety of outdoor activities as well as arts, crafts, and team-building exercises. Here are some pictures from what many students considered to be the highlight of the year!

To support our mission and continue providing experiences like this to promising students in the St. Louis community, please consider donating using the link above. Thank you so much, and happy donating!

Let's Make More Memories in the Great Outdoors!

Remember that feeling of awe and wonder when you experienced the great outdoors for the first time? Let's give that gift to more kids!

Recently, we had the incredible opportunity to take kids camping, and for many, it was their first time sleeping under the stars and roasting marshmallows by the campfire. The smiles on their faces and the friendships that blossomed warmed our hearts and reminded us why we do what we do.

But we want to do MORE. We want to reach MORE kids, create MORE unforgettable memories, and foster a lifelong love for science and nature.

Join us in spreading the joy of nature by donating to Gateway to the Great Outdoors on Give STL Day! Together, let's make a lasting impact on the lives of our future outdoor enthusiasts.

Donate here: https://www.givestlday.org/organization/GGO

Thank you for your generosity and for helping us connect more kids with the wonders of nature! Saint Louis Public Schools

Hello everyone! Friendly reminder that today is Give STL Day, so please keep those donations coming at the following link: https://www.givestlday.org/organization/GGO.

In the meantime, here is a message from our new St. Louis City Director, Patrick Powers: "As your St. Louis City Director, I am here to be your guide, your support, and your partner in all things GGO-related. Whether you're eager to join us for outdoor programs, lend a hand as a volunteer, or simply want to connect with fellow nature enthusiasts, I'm here to make it happen."

We are so glad to have Patrick on the team, and your support will enable us to hire more amazing staff just like him! Happy donating!

P.S. Pictured here is Patrick Powers! Welcome to the team, Patrick!

Good morning everyone! Today is Give STL Day, an opportunity to donate to your favorite non-profit organizations in the St. Louis community. GGO has been doing amazing work over the past year, and as a result of our ongoing community impact, we were recognized by Saint Louis Public Schools as Community Partner of the Year for the 2022-23 academic year. To help us continue our mission of getting kids outdoors and igniting curiosity about science, please consider making a donation to GGO for Give STL Day through the following link: https://www.givestlday.org/organization/GGO. Keep posted for more updates throughout the day, and many thanks for your support!

Support Gateway to the Great Outdoors on Give STL Day Students from low-income communities face significant disparities in education, health, and access to outdoor spaces. Gateway to the Great Outdoors (GGO) addresses these disparities through providing exciting science and nature-focused educational enrichment programs. GGO...

GGO is excited to announce our upcoming fundraiser in partnership with Patagonia in Chicago! In about one month, come join us for some Saturday fun with your family and/or friends. There will be tons of cool crafts and prizes to take home, as well as many opportunities to donate to an amazing cause! We can't wait to see you and your family there on June 1 at the Fulton Market Patagonia!

Happy happy Earth Day! 🌎 Here at GGO we are feeling so thankful for all that our earth gives us🫶🏻 Sharing earths little wonders with our students is what we do! But we also couldn’t do it without all of you! Consider celebrating Earth Day by donating to GGO to aid in our environmental education🌲 link in bio!

Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that tomorrow April 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is GGO's partnership with Upper Limits for Earth Day 2024! Upper Limits is graciously donating 50% of their profits to GGO during this time window, so we hope you consider joining us to both have fun and support GGO! Our students have had a blast climbing at Upper Limits in recent years, and we think you will too! Hope to see you there!

This Earth Day, Upper Limits is partnering with us by donating 50% of their profits to GGO! Come climb between 10a.m.-1p.m. on April 22nd to help raise funds for GGO! Our students adore climbing at Upper Limits and you should come check out why🧗‍♀️🌎😊 Thank you Upper Limits for the amazing and continuous support!🫶🏻

Today, nearly one hundred 4th through 6th graders at Earl Nance Sr. Elementary School (part of Saint Louis Public Schools) visited the Saint Louis Zoo with GGO! They began the visit by learning about the anatomy of various animals such as polar bears, and even had the chance the touch some animal skulls and pelts. Then, students broke into groups, exploring different parts of the Zoo such as the bear exhibit and sea lion exhibit while hearing about animal science from Zoo staff and volunteers. Here are some pictures from the adventure!

A former Nance teacher chaperoning the trip had the following to say about GGO while on the trip: "I think [GGO] is a wonderful opportunity for the students to get an experience with the outdoors. They're more to the outdoors than jump roping and kickball. The kids learn about ecology and have a new and total experience of nature. Hopefully the kids will take these experiences with them wherever they go."

A special thank you to Rory James, Director of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) at the Saint Louis Zoo, for leading the field trip and welcoming all of us, as well as to the rest of the Zoo staff and volunteers who made the trip possible!

Didn’t get a chance to sign up for our newsletter? No worries, you can always sign up on our website: https://www.gatewayoutdoors.org/newsletters
Want to continue to support amazing outdoor experiences students at Title I schools in St. Louis and Chicago? Please consider donating here: https://www.gatewayoutdoors.org/donate

As Black History Month comes to a close, we honor the trailblazing Shirley Chisholm, a woman of many firsts. As the first African-American woman elected to the United States Congress, Chisholm dedicated her career not only to breaking glass ceilings but also to championing the causes of environmental and social justice.

🍃 Environmental Advocate: Shirley Chisholm was a pioneer in recognizing the importance of environmental conservation and justice. She understood early on that a healthy environment is crucial for a sustainable future and worked tirelessly to advocate for policies that protect our planet for generations to come.

⚖️ Champion of Social Justice: Chisholm's advocacy went beyond the environment. She was a fierce proponent for the rights of marginalized communities, fighting for equality, education, health care, and social services. Her dedication to social justice paved the way for countless reforms that continue to benefit society today.

Shirley Chisholm's legacy is a beacon of hope and resilience. Her contributions to environmental and social justice have left an indelible mark on the world, reminding us of the power of voice, the importance of representation, and the impact of dedicated public service.

As we reflect on her life and work, let's carry forward her mission to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for all.

Greetings friends of GGO! Next Wednesday, February 28th, we are playing a game of BinGGO to raise money for our STEAM education programming. All donations will directly benefit the students we work with and enable the continuation of environmental education!

Please join us in posting the following two graphics on your story next Wednesday to participate in our fundraising! The goal is for your followers to donate an amount of a bingo square. Keep posting until you get BinGGO or fill up your whole grid!

You can use your personal Venmo to receive donations, and then send the total proceeds collected to the Venmo . We greatly appreciate your participation in this fundraiser, as it will enable us to continue our programming into 2024 and beyond!

This Black History Month, GGO honors the incredible legacy of George Washington Carver, a visionary environmentalist and agricultural scientist. A native of Missouri and born into slavery, Carver overcame unimaginable hardships in order to establish his career in science. While a reading a detailed history of Carver's life would be very worthwhile, today we are going to focus on his work that related to environmental sustainability. Carver's innovative work in the early 20th century laid the foundation for sustainable agriculture and conservation practices that continue to influence our approach to environmental stewardship today.

Known for transforming the agricultural landscape, Carver advocated for crop rotation and the planting of peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans to enrich the soil. This not only improved the livelihoods of farmers but also introduced practices that combat soil depletion and promote biodiversity.

Carver's philosophy extended beyond the fields; he was a true steward of the Earth, believing in the conservation of natural resources. His research and teachings emphasized the use of alternative, natural products to reduce waste and environmental impact.

A pioneer in every sense, Carver's work reminds us that the health of our planet is intertwined with our agricultural practices. As we celebrate his contributions this Black History Month, let's also commit to embracing the principles of sustainability and conservation that he championed.

Let's continue to draw inspiration from Carver's dedication to innovation, sustainability, and environmental harmony. His legacy teaches us the importance of scientific innovation that also serves people and the planet.

Hello GGO friends! We just kicked off week 1 in Chicago and are so excited to be back in the classrooms for our spring semester! This week we learned about weather and climate tools meteorologists use⛈️, made volcanoes while learning about tectonic plates🌋, and practiced some mindfulness with yoga🧘🏾‍♀️! Thanks Drake Elementary for working with us and we can’t wait to keep having fun!

Hello! We wanted to remind everyone that GGO is hiring for one full-time and two part-time positions based in St. Louis. If you have a passion for outdoor and environmental education, and picture yourself helping kids experience nature and STEAM topics in new and exciting ways, we hope you consider applying. Or, if you know someone else who might be interested, we encourage you to send these job opportunities along! Here are the links to the job applications, which include detailed descriptions of the positions:

Program Coordinator (Full-time, 1 position, St. Louis): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QOehIXVKL-YGfKpOi8b4eh0paWviOpQcMP7tg0D30Co/viewform?edit_requested=true

Programming Support (Part-time, 2 positions, St. Louis):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ofjRSVVD3c3o5_u1kDyBtERBcYKcecT4wwDi39KiwRI/viewform?edit_requested=true

We hope you or someone you know considers applying, and we look forward to hearing from you! We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds with varying levels of experience.

Google Forms: Sign-in Access Google Forms with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).

Looking for ways to support GGO through time rather than donations? We are currently seeking mentors to assist with programming this upcoming semester in St. Louis and Chicago. Our mentors help coordinate classroom STEAM lessons, chaperone outdoor excursions, and provide guidance to our promising students at Title I schools. If you have a passion for both nature and education, this is a great opportunity to work with kids while engaging with the outdoors. We will also work around your schedule to place you in activities that work best for you.

Mentors report having meaningful and enjoyable experiences while supporting our program! Our Mentor of the Month for January 2024, Katherine Rizkalla, recalls "the day we learned about compasses and how the students all came together to do a little 'home base' dance with me in between every round of the game." If that sounds like fun to you, consider signing up to become a volunteer using the form below. Our students, staff, and current volunteers would love to meet you!

Become A Volunteer — Gateway to the Great Outdoors

GGO is proud to announce that one of our St. Louis partner schools, Nance Elementary School, has been named as a 2024 Missouri School of Character by CharacterPlus! Nance is the only member of St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) recognized in 2024 and the first ever school in north city St. Louis to receive this honor. Schools recognized for this honor have demonstrated a focus on character development which has positively impacted academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. This is an incredible achievement for the Nance community, and yet another reason we are proud to have them as a partner! We look forward to seeing what else the Nance community accomplishes in the years to come.

Read more about Nance's recognition here: https://www.smore.com/20hpk-nance-named-school-of-character?ref=email

Hello everyone! Are you interested in coming to work for us or know someone who might be? Here is a reminder that GGO is hiring for three staff positions based in St. Louis, one full-time and two part-time. The descriptions for each position can be found below, in addition to links for the applications.

Program Coordinator (Full-time, 1 position, St. Louis):

The St. Louis Program Coordinator will actively support Gateway to the Great Outdoors programming in St. Louis, Missouri. Reporting to the Educational Director, this role plays a key role in supervising St. Louis-based programming staff, facilitating communications and relations with partner organizations and schools, coordinating programming operations in St. Louis, and handling functions like volunteer management. The St. Louis Program Coordinator will be involved throughout the school year with three months of the summer off (May 15-August 15).

Link to application:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QOehIXVKL-YGfKpOi8b4eh0paWviOpQcMP7tg0D30Co/viewform?edit_requested=true

Programming Support (Part-time, 2 positions, St. Louis):

The St. Louis Programming Support plays a key role in making learning and adventure a blast! Join us as we prepare materials for weekly programming sessions and exciting field trips. As part of this temporary, part-time position, you'll be the life of the classroom sessions, attending up to 5 sessions a week, supporting GGO volunteers, and joining the fun on monthly field trips. Reporting directly to the Educational Director, you'll also assist in coordinating awesome St. Louis-based field trips and welcoming special guest speakers. Approximately 10 hours per week, with flexibility.

Link to application:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ofjRSVVD3c3o5_u1kDyBtERBcYKcecT4wwDi39KiwRI/viewform?edit_requested=true

We appreciate your interest in these positions, and encourage anyone interested to submit an application! We are starting to interview immediately, and positions begin as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing form you!

Google Forms: Sign-in Access Google Forms with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).

🌨️❄️ Staying Warm in the Chill: A Survival Guide ❄️🌨️

Hi everyone! As we make it through the coldest days of winter, we thought we'd share some essential tips to keep you toasty and safe in the frosty weather. 🧣🧤

- Layer Up: Think onions, but make it fashion! Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add an insulating layer, and finish with a waterproof outer layer. It's all about trapping heat and staying dry.

- Warm Sips: Keep a thermos of hot tea, coffee, or cocoa handy. It's like a hug in a mug and warms you from the inside out. Plus, who can say no to hot chocolate? ☕🍫

- Stay Active: Keep moving to maintain body heat. Whether it's a brisk walk or just jumping around, every bit helps. Just don't sweat it—literally. Getting damp in cold weather is a no-go.

- Protect Extremities: Your fingers, toes, ears, and nose need extra attention. Frostbite doesn't play nice, so gloves, thick socks, earmuffs, and scarves are your best friends.

- Fuel Up: Eating helps keep your energy up and your body warm. Opt for hearty soups, stews, and high-energy snacks. Think of it as fuel for your internal furnace.

- Stay Dry: Wet equals cold. If you get wet, change into dry clothes as soon as possible to avoid losing body heat.

- Check-In: Keep your phone charged and let someone know where you'll be, especially if you're venturing out alone or into less populated areas.

Remember, the cold might seem daunting, but with the right preparation, you can embrace the chill and even enjoy it! Stay warm, stay safe, and let's make the most of this winter wonderland. ❄️🔥👍



Didn’t get a chance to sign up for our newsletter? No worries, you can always sign up on our website: https://www.gatewayoutdoors.org/newsletters
Want to continue to support amazing outdoor experiences students at Title I schools in St. Louis and Chicago? Please consider donating here: https://www.gatewayoutdoors.org/donate

Thank you for your continued support, and stay warm!