Blue Sky Fund

Blue Sky Fund Providing transformational experiences for Richmond area youth through outdoor education.

05/26/2026

🌱 Since 2007, Blue Sky Fund has pursued the goal of providing transformative and positive experiences in the outdoors for Richmond youth.
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🗺️ As demand for programming grew, so did Blue Sky - expanding to work with over 2,000 students across the Richmond area. As we enter a new stage of organizational maturity, the Blue Sky board and staff are excited at the prospects of meaningful growth and organizational health.
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🧭 To achieve this next stage, we’re proud to announce our 2026-2029 Strategic Plan which was adopted by our board this past January. The purpose of this mission-aligned plan is to:
(1) Provide guidance on the organization’s growth and development for the next three years
(2) Articulate a shared vision that will further Blue Sky’s mission
(3) Ensure engagement with all those invested in the organization’s success
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🔗 Read the full plan via the link in our bio or go to blueskyfund.org/strategicplan
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🎨 Shout out to Madison Whitley for donating her time and talent to tell the story of our vision for the next three years in such a visually appealing way! Learn more about her work at madisonwhitley.myportfolio.com

As our 2025-26 Explorers program year comes to a close, we’re excited to reflect back on the final trips of the year. To...
05/22/2026

As our 2025-26 Explorers program year comes to a close, we’re excited to reflect back on the final trips of the year. Today: Featuring our Maymont & Dell Meadow trips!
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“How does water connect everything in our environment?”
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This was the driving question for our Explorers trip to Maymont and Dell Meadow with 4th grade students from 12 different RPS schools. Through hands-on activities, they learned all about how their everyday choices can impact the Chesapeake Bay, and diving into how watersheds, erosion, weather, and wildlife are all connected.
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Take a look at all the fun our Explorers had outdoors:
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🌦️ Collected real weather data, working in teams to measure wind speed, temperature, and air pressure while practicing cooperation and problem-solving.
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💧 Modeled an entire watershed using Enviroscapes, discovering how pollution, erosion, and stormwater runoff have downstream impacts. Throughout the Environment experiments, they also discussed why we all play a role in protecting our rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
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🦅 Observed local wildlife on a guided nature hike, learning about native animals and discussing each species’ role in the food chain and ecosystem.
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Thank you to all of our amazing 4th graders from:
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Are you a business looking for a way to support your community? No need to wait - email diane@blueskyfund.org to become ...
05/15/2026

Are you a business looking for a way to support your community? No need to wait - email [email protected] to become a Hike for Kids sponsor!
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SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
FULL ⛰️Trailblazer Title Sponsor - abogadas rva
FULL 🏞️ Post-Hike Party Sponsor -
👣Explorers Partner Sponsor - $6,000 - Hike Distances Naming Rights
🚰Adventure Fuel Sponsor - $3,000 - Logos featured at Fuel Stations
🌱Swag Bag Sponsor - $1,000 - Logos featured at Finish Line
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Date 🗓️Saturday, October 24th
Location: 📍VA War Memorial () & the James River Park System ()
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🌿🥾HIKE FOR KIDS is our signature fundraising event benefiting Richmond area youth. It brings together hikers to hit the trails of the James River Park System or any trail of their choice across the country. Richmond hikers will enjoy some of the best urban trails in the country with a 3, 7, or 14 mile loop. All are welcome to celebrate the journey at our post-hike party with food, drinks, games, & music.
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💫 Since September 2025, our Outdoor Adventure Clubs have completed over 280 after-school outings! Where have they gone a...
05/13/2026

💫 Since September 2025, our Outdoor Adventure Clubs have completed over 280 after-school outings! Where have they gone and what have they done!? Here is a fun recap:
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🌳 Most Visited Green Spaces | Forest Hill Park, Byrd Park, Bryan Park, Taylor Farm Park, and 22nd Street Entrance
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🥾 Top 10 Activities | Flora/fauna identification hike, Fire building, Hammocking, Camp stove cooking, Biking, Rock hopping, Tent set up, Fishing, Teambuilding games, and Arts & crafts
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💙 Do you have a favorite activity or green space from the list above?
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05/09/2026

As our 2025-26 Explorers program year comes to a close, we’re excited to reflect back on the final trips of the year. Today: Featuring our VCU Rice Rivers Center trips!

“How can we use the power of our planet without hurting it?”
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That was the driving question for Blue Sky Fund Explorers at the VCU Rice Rivers Center. 5th grade students from 12 different RPS schools learned all about renewable vs. non-renewable energy and how teamwork, creativity, and sustainability go hand in hand.
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Take a look at all the fun our Explorers had:
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🌍 Worked together in the “Eyes, Voice, Body” challenge, where each student could only use one of their senses and had to rely on communication and collaboration to achieve a shared goal.
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💨 Designed and tested their own wind turbines, experimenting with blade shapes and materials to see how wind can be transformed into electricity using renewable energy.
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🌱 Explored sustainability features around the Rice Rivers Center, learning how solar power, geothermal energy, rain gardens, and water recycling help reduce environmental impact.
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Thank you to all of our amazing 5th graders from:
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⚽️ Purchase tickets to the vs Virginia Beach United FC on Saturday, June 13th via the link in our bio and up to $7 of y...
05/07/2026

⚽️ Purchase tickets to the vs Virginia Beach United FC on Saturday, June 13th via the link in our bio and up to $7 of your ticket will be donated back to Blue Sky!
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💙💚 Our goal is to get over 25 supporters to purchase tickets and join us as we cheer Richmond Ivy at City Stadium! Gates are set to open at 5:30pm with kickoff at 6:30pm. Can't wait to see you there!
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🔗 *You must purchase your ticket via the link in bio for BSF to benefit*
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📸 Photo credits:
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⭐ BSF is hosting a volunteer event on Monday, May 4th from 4 to 6PM! Join us to learn more about our work and input data...
04/20/2026

⭐ BSF is hosting a volunteer event on Monday, May 4th from 4 to 6PM! Join us to learn more about our work and input data from our Explorer Student Surveys.
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✈️ This event is a part of the ’s Volunteer Passport Challenge to explore and support community organizations, while winning prizes too.
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📝 There will first be a short information session about BSF and an office tour, followed by student survey analysis. Swipe to see some participants’ survey responses to “Draw yourself in the outdoors!”
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🔗 To sign up, click the link in our bio.
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Interested in the Outdoor Leadership Institute but have a few more questions before you’ll be ready to apply? -Then join...
04/10/2026

Interested in the Outdoor Leadership Institute but have a few more questions before you’ll be ready to apply?
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Then join David Buenrostro, our Adventure Programs Manager, on April 16th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm for a VIRTUAL information session.
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These meetings will give further insight into the Outdoor Leadership Institute and answer any questions from prospective students and caregivers.
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🔗 Sign Up for the OLI Info Session via the link in bio 🔗
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What is the Outdoor Leadership Institute?! 🌲🌄
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The Outdoor Leadership Institute (OLI) is a year-long program for high school students from the Richmond area. This program brings together students from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds for an immersive 5-day wilderness trip and monthly community service projects, designed to foster individual growth, increase personal resiliency, and cultivate leadership skills
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Applications are open for the 2026-27 OLI program at the link in our bio! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and preference will be given to those submitted by May 1st, 2026.
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🌊 Last month, we pulled on waders and got to work! Our Outdoor Leadership Institute crew worked hard to remove trash fr...
04/10/2026

🌊 Last month, we pulled on waders and got to work! Our Outdoor Leadership Institute crew worked hard to remove trash from the creek at Pine Camp, which used to be an unofficial dump site.
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🌿 We were also lucky enough to hear from Willa Moffat, who shared about their incredible career journey - from their time with Blue Sky to their role as an Environmental Educator with the James River Park System here in Richmond.
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🌳 Willa also talked about the role the James River Park System staff play in maintaining our city parks for public use and how anyone can get involved with a job like theirs! Thank you to Willa and !
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Join us TOMORROW at the Richmond Pinball Collective for a fun charity pinball tournament!!-👾 This event will include an ...
03/21/2026

Join us TOMORROW at the Richmond Pinball Collective for a fun charity pinball tournament!!
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👾 This event will include an IFPA Tournament where professional players will compete to win the Pins for Kids Charity Tournament trophy. Pinball machines will also be open for public 'just for fun' play as well. All are welcome to join!
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▶️ PUBLIC PLAY: $10 entry (free for 3 & under)
*join any time between 11am and 4pm
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▶️ TOURNAMENT PLAY: $20 entry
*runs from 12pm to 4pm
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🖼️ Huge thank you to Matt Lively Art for this epic artwork, custom made to support this event.
👥 Event organized by Taylor Reese of the River City Flippers.
📍 Space donated by The Richmond Pinball Collective.
💙 All proceeds to benefit Blue Sky Fund outdoor education programming.
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Address

1806 Creighton Road
Richmond, VA
23223

Telephone

+18044104273

Website

http://www.twitter.com/BlueSkyFundRVa

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