Nearly $30K Gift To Get More Students Outside

A nearly $30,000 gift from The More Like Wynne Foundation is helping bring hands-on outdoor education to more than 18,000 students across 36 elementary schools and 8 middle schools in the Richardson Independent School District (RISD), creating new opportunities for students to learn about conservation, wildlife, outdoor skills and responsible stewardship.

The donation honors the memory of Wynne Naylor, a former Lake Highlands Elementary student whose life was tragically cut short on July 4, 2025, while attending Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas. Wynne was among the 25 campers and 2 counselors — known as Heaven’s 27 — who tragically lost their lives in the Kerr County Guadalupe River flooding. Wynne was known for her curiosity and love of the outdoors, including fishing, hunting and exploring nature with her family.

Through the partnership, OTF’s Outdoor Adventures curriculum will expand beyond its existing high school programming and be introduced at every elementary and middle school in RISD. The curriculum gives students opportunities to learn practical outdoor skills while building an understanding of conservation and responsible stewardship.

“Wynne had a passion for the outdoors, whether it was catching bugs outside or going hunting or fishing with her dad,” said Alli Naylor, Wynne’s mother. “She had a love for learning and loved coming to school every day. I think this curriculum gives all these students an opportunity to be more like Wynne, and be a little more curious.”

The curriculum includes hands-on lessons in fishing, compass navigation, map reading, wildlife identification, survival skills and other outdoor activities. The goal is to give students experiences they may not otherwise have access to while developing problem-solving skills, confidence and an appreciation for the natural world.

The program connects outdoor experiences with conservation education, helping students understand wildlife, natural resources and their role as future stewards of the outdoors.

“Outdoor education is about much more than learning new skills,” said Dr. Keith Tidball, Executive Director of the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation. “It’s about helping students understand where our natural resources come from, why conservation matters, and how they can become responsible stewards of the outdoors for years to come.”

For The More Like Wynne Foundation, the partnership represents a meaningful way to carry Wynne’s curiosity, adventurous spirit and love of learning forward by giving other young people the opportunity to discover the outdoors for themselves.

The impact of the program will extend well beyond a single event or school year. As students learn to navigate with a compass, identify wildlife, cast a fishing rod or understand the importance of conservation, they will gain experiences that can become lifelong skills and interests.

Visit The More Like Wynne Foundation for more information.

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