By Staff report
May 25, 2019

Among the largest awards were Norwich Recreation Department’s Summer Camp program at $12,000. The city’s school Summer Learning program received $11,000 while the Connecticut Aububon Society received $12,064 for its Science in Nature program.

“What pulls the children in? The birds,” said Sarah Hemingway, director of regional programs at the Connecticut Audubon Society, said, according to a press release.

Connecticut Audubon is providing hands-on, curriculum-linked experiences for all Norwich third-graders through its Science in Nature program. According to Hemingway, the best part is getting the children outside.

In addition to the academic benefits of the program, she notices a visible difference in the students when they are out on a nature hike, observing that, “They can’t argue with nature, they can’t control it, so they have to just be in it and let it be.”

Since 2011, almost $1.2 million has been awarded through 150 grants aimed at the well-being of Norwich youth thanks to the generosity of donors who created funds for the benefit of the Norwich area, including the Grace & Lewis Sears Memorial Fund and the Frisbee-Chapman Memorial Fund.

2019 Norwich Youth Grants

Children’s Museum of Southeastern CT;$10,500

Norwich Recreation Dept.;$12,000

CT Aubudon Society;$12,064

Denison Nature Center;$12,000

Eastern CT Orchestra;$6,000

Girl Scouts;$2,500

High Hopes Riding;$5,000

LifeFAQs;$6,000

Madonna Place;$8,000

NESS;$10,000

Norwich Public Schools;$11,000

Norwich Youth Services;$10,000

Nutmeg Big Brothers/Sisters;$12,000

Ocean Community YMCA;$15,000

Project Oceanology;$10,000

Robertsine Duncan Youth Council;$1,800

S.T.E.P.S.;$5,000

Safe Futures;$10,000

Salt Marsh Opera;$4,000

Sankofa Education;$2,500

Sea Research Foundation;$10,000

Thames River Community Service;$8,000

Total;$183,364