Dear Friends of Carly's Kids October 14, 2025
Thank you for your continued support of our mission to provide outdoor education opportunities for all students. Last year we were able to fund $25,568 worth of grants in Central Oregon. These grants funded seven Forest Kindergarten Programs, multiple first and second grade forest exploration programs, trips to Sunriver Nature Center, and planetary and observatory experiences. Fifth graders were able to participate in the Kokanee Carnival, fourth graders had an exploration day at Shevlin Park, while a big group of kids experienced the magic of the High Desert Museum.
We were also able to partner with Nature Connect Co. and help fund the new roof at Skyliner lodge. This is the lodge that all our Forest Kindergarten groups use for their programs.
Now retired, I‘ve had the joy of participating in several of these programs firsthand. We continue to be inspired by the passion of educators and what they will do for their students! We are actively exploring new project ideas and encourage educators and community members to access our grant application on the Carly’s Kids webpage. This year we were honored to receive a sizable beneficiary distribution check from the dad of a good friend of ours. This generous gift enables us to continue funding at our current level without needing to request donations this year.
Last year’s letter mentioned that we also donate to Ecology Projects International earmarking the Carly Phillips Scholarship fund. In 2025, her scholarship enabled ten high school students to participate in the Yellowstone course. Meaghan from EPI recently shared a touching letter with us of her experience meeting EPI program alumni, and we’d love to pass along a few excerpts from her letter that highlight Carly’ lasting impact:
“One alum shared, ‘There used to be a person named Carly who worked in the EPI Yellowstone program, and I want to be just like her when I grow up’.
Another said. ‘Carly’s presence on our 2010 trip was pivotal-she grounded us, taught us so much, was the fun maker, and brought us all together.’
Meaghan closed her letter with,"I’m so glad that I met these Alumni. I didn’t bring Carly’s name up, she came up naturally in conversation and it’s so clear that she was so so loved and is still loved by many.”
Needless to say this letter warmed our hearts and reinforced our commitment to honor Carly’s memory. Thank you for helping to keep Carly’s precious spirit alive and thriving in our community. Her legacy continues to inspire acts of kindness, and we are deeply grateful for your love and generosity.
Sincerely,
Kevin and Sandy Phillips, Michelle and Kyle Watt
OUR MISSION
Studies have shown that more and more children are spending enormous amounts of time indoors playing video and computer games, and watching T.V.
This generation is so plugged into electronic devices that they are in danger of losing their connection to the natural world. There is a national movement to “leave no child inside” that focuses on getting more children into the woods, promoting a “green hour” each day, and reinstating Outdoor Education programs in our schools.
The children and nature movement is fueled by this fundamental idea; the child in nature is an endangered species, and the health of children and the health of the Earth are inseparable.” –Richard Louv. Richard Louv, the author of “Last Child in the Woods”, speaks to this condition and refers to it as nature-deficit disorder. He stresses that “unlike television, nature does not steal time; it amplifies it. Nature offers healing for a child living in a destructive family or neighborhood.” He also states that “nature inspires creativity in a child by demanding visualization and the
full use of the senses.”
Carly’s Kids believes that an Outdoor Education experience greatly benefits children and helps them reconnect with the outdoors. It is also a wonderful team building experience and an opportunity to learn about the environment. We are extremely thankful for all the friends and family of Carly, and countless community members that are helping to make our dreams, of providing children Outdoor Educational Experiences, a reality. Your generosity is boundless and the positive effects that this experience will have on children are limitless. Thank you for your support!
Carly's Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to provide underprivileged children access to outdoor education opportunities.
In honor of our daughter and sister, Carly, and her life long passion of helping other people, especially the underprivileged, we decided to establish a non-profit organization called Carly’s Kids. The organization has been approved by the IRS and has been issued the following tax identification number 45-3961848.
