SUNY Canton receives $8K grant as part of SUNY “Outdoors for All” Program

CANTON — SUNY Canton recently announced it received an $8,000 SUNY grant to help equip students for outdoor adventures. SUNY Canton was included in SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr.’s Oct. 10 announcement launching “Outdoors for All,” a program designed to promote inclusivity, sustainability, wellness, and community development. “With the launch of SUNY’s Outdoors for All program, we are working to ensure that our students have access to inclusive, welcoming, and accessible outdoor spaces on- and off-campus,” King said in his announcement. “Through this program, more students and New Yorkers of all ages will have access to hands-on and engaging experiences that will hopefully inspire a life-long love of nature and demonstrate that there is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, both indoors and outdoors.” Outdoors for All is the latest climate initiative announced by Chancellor King and supports the SUNY Climate and Sustainability Action Plan’s commitment to engage students on sustainability issues, along with SUNY’s diversity, equity, and inclusion pillar. Thirteen SUNY campus proposals will each receive an $8,000 grant award. At SUNY Canton, the new funding will be used to make outdoor recreation accessible to all students by eliminating barriers such as cost, a lack of equipment, and transportation, according to Richard J. Thayer, SUNY Canton’s director of student affairs technology, who will oversee the new initiative. “The project supports student wellness, inclusion, and leadership development, aligning with the college’s goals to expand outdoor-based programming and enhance campus spaces,” Thayer said in an Oct, 23 SUNY Canton announcement. “We are located on a 555-acre campus near the Adirondack Park. Our natural environment is one of our greatest and most defining assets.” Thayer added that the funding will be used to create a gear library and fund introductory skills workshops, so students can safely and confidently explore nature without having to purchase equipment. SUNY Canton plans to buy snowshoes, daypacks, rain layers, trekking poles, and basic repair kits for future adventures, in addition to a new storage shed to house the new equipment. During the first phase, which launches during the spring semester, participants will focus on winter gear and safety equipment. Plans for future phases include incorporating items and supplies suitable for warm weather. SUNY Canton says it has an active outdoor adventure club and a rock-climbing club. Resources purchased through the Outdoors for All program will also be available to these student-led organizations, per the college’s announcement.