$29,516 raised by 78 donors
100% complete
$25,000 Goal
Give students an experience they'll never forget! Your gift to ELK provides hands-on science education and life-changing outdoor adventures, helping youth to explore STEM related career fields and expand their horizons. Together, we can inspire a diverse generation of leaders to reach for the stars!
“You can enjoy yourself outside. That’s why I especially love [going outdoors with ELK]. And doing it with my mom and my brother… It’s brought us a lot closer, I think. And we’re always giggling about the goofiest things. We’re all kind of goofy together! That’s why I’ve always loved ELK.”
- ELK Youth
“ELK means inclusivity, equality, and determination. I have always felt like I am welcomed with open arms at ELK and have always been able to find a second home at ELK. No matter where I am at in life, the staff has always taken the time to make sure that I am okay and doing well in school, life, etc.”
- ELK Youth
“Every year [as an ELK Urban Ranger] has been a different adventure. In the beginning, I had no idea what I wanted to be in life. Yet my exposure to careers in natural fields, the pride of working hard on a service project, and the absolute joy of a kid being amazed by stories is what led me to want to pursue environmental science.”
- ELK Urban Ranger
“I love ELK because I like exploring nature, but I’ve never done it. When I was a child, we never could afford to do things like that, so I don’t know how to fish or where to hike, and so it’s nice to have this opportunity that I can bring my son, and I don’t have to worry about not knowing because … ELK gives us the tools, they provide everything that we need, and there’s a sense of community. There’s other kids here, so he can have a good time, too… It’s just a really great program, and I’m very happy it exists.”
- ELK Parent
“Environmental Learning for Kids is top of my list in terms of providing outdoor experiences for youth in Denver. The opportunity to work with wildlife biologists to explore Colorado's outdoors on ELK trips, afternoon school programs or in-town experiential learning events will no doubt spark the interest of youth and create lasting memories for kids here in our city. Please join me in supporting ELK!”
- Craig Myles, Former ELK Board Chair
Cultivating a diverse community of leaders and environmental stewards by increasing outdoor equity.
We envision a world in which all people are caretakers of themselves, each other, and the natural world.
ELK was founded in 1996 by two wildlife biologists from Montbello who recognized the need to dismantle the systems of oppression that prevent young people and their families to connect with nature and thrive in the environmental and outdoor community. Their goal was to educate youth about natural resources, environmental education, and science-related career paths.
Today, ELK serves some of the most racially diverse neighborhoods in the Denver Metro area. They are also among the City’s most impoverished neighborhoods, with a quarter of families living in poverty, which is high compared to the rest of metro Denver. ELK annually serves more than 6,000 underserved youth of color (ages 5-25) and their families year-round, in-school and after-school, and family programs. ELK’s approach to serving these challenges over time has helped create a unique set of programs that address the challenges that have existed since its inception.
Organization name
Environmental Learning for Kids
other names
ELK
1996
Tax id (EIN)
84-1436605
Category
Education, Youth Development
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
12680 Albrook DriveDenver County, CO, US
Adams County, CO, US
Aurora, CO, US