Primitive Pursuits Receives REI Cooperative Action Fund Grant

Primitive Pursuits Nature Immersion Programs Receive REI Cooperative Action Fund Grant

ITHACA, NY – Primitive Pursuits, the outdoor education and nature immersion program of Tompkins County 4-H, has announced a community partnership with the REI Cooperative Action Fund. The partnership includes $5,000 in grant funding for Primitive Pursuits programs as well as future collaboration and learning opportunities.

“This grant funding will help us serve our mission of getting more people outside and connected to the natural world through land-based skills,” said Primitive Pursuits Camp Director Rachel Bortin. “We are planning to apply it towards scholarship funding and staffing to create and sustain our year-round programs.”

These programs for ages 3 through adults are designed to foster life-long relationships with the natural world through mentoring and nature education. The award will provide flexibility at a time when Primitive Pursuits is re-establishing programs that had not been offered during recent seasons, including overnight camps and an adult Earth Skills series.

Grants like this, alongside contributions from the community, support Primitive Pursuits scholarships and make reduced-cost or free programs available for over 20% of participants each year.

The REI Cooperative Action Fund brings together the collective strength of the outdoor community to support organizations that advance inclusivity, access and belonging outside. The REI Fund announces new investments each year in the spring and the fall to provide unrestricted funding to nonprofit partners across three specific areas: connecting people outside, creating space outside, and centering health outside.

Learn more about Primitive Pursuits programs and resources at PrimitivePursuits.com.

Last updated November 13, 2024