We encourage education...

We love to help children and  adults learn about nature, the environment and how to deal with both.

Thatcher Education Fund

Cape Henlopen State Park provides a wide variety of educational programs and teachers in Delaware schools have long made it the destination of field trips. In recent years, budget cuts have limited the ability of some schools to send students on these trips. In 2009 the Friends established the Richard & Mirth Thatcher Education Fund to provide financial assistance with travel expenses to schools that need help bringing their students to participate in Park programs. The Thatcher Fund was established in recognition of the long and distinguished service to the Friends by Richard and Mirth Thatcher. Proceeds from our annual Chocolate Tasting in September support this endeavor.

Thatcher Grants can be applied to:
  • School transportation costs to the park. 
  • Nature Center/Park program fees [only for Title 1 (financially disadvantaged student population) Delaware schools]
Thatcher Grant Process:
  1. Complete application form (click link below).
    thacherfundgrantform.pdf
  2. Submit application to Park Nature Center Manager.
  3. Nature Center Manager reviews application to determine if the Park has the resources to ensure a successful class trip on the proposed date. If the application passes review, it is forwarded to the FOCHSP Board.
  4. FOCHSP Board determines if the applicant meets all the Thatcher Fund criteria (DE Title 1 school, etc.) and if sufficient Thatcher Funds are available (prior to accepting or rejecting application).
The application form lists the maximum dollar amount the grant will cover.
Busing costs, if approved, are paid directly to the applying school.
Program fees, if approved, are paid directly to the park.
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Any teacher interested in the 2022 program should initially  contact Richard Julian at the Nature Center by phone at 302-645-6852 or email:   Richard.Julian@delaware.gov

Youth Educational Support (YES) Grants


The YES program, like the Thatcher Grant program, The YES program, like the Thatcher Grant program, is designed to encourage youth groups to come to the Park to participate in programs that align with the Friends mission of furthering the appreciation, enhancement and maintenance of Cape Henlopen State Park.
The YES Grant program is funded and administered by the FOCHSP in coordination with Cape Henlopen State Park management.
Like the Thatcher Grants, YES Grants:
Can be applied to transportation costs to the Park and expenses for activities while in the Park.
  • Require completion of an application form (click link below).
           yesgrantform.pdf
  • Require applicants to work with Park staff to arrange a date, program and facilities required.
  • Require approval by a vote of the FOCHSP Board.
  • Draw from a limited fund established by FOCHSP, supplemented each year from donations and proceeds of FOCHSP fund-raising events.
Unlike Thatcher Grants, YES Grants:
  • Are open to Delaware-based non-profit youth organization.
  • Are awarded preferentially to groups that have a sponsor/leader who is a current FOCHSP member.
  • Limit each youth group to receiving only one grant per calendar year.
  • Do not limit the participant’s program only to “environmental education” topics.
Thatcher Grant Process:
  1. Complete application form (click link below).
  2. Submit application to Park Nature Center Manager.
  3. Nature Center Manager reviews application.  If the application passes review, it is forwarded to the FOCHSP Board.
  4. FOCHSP Board determines if the applicant meets all the YES Grant criteria and if sufficient YES funds (which are limited) are available, prior to approving (or rejecting) the application.
The application form lists the maximum dollar amount the grant will cover.
Busing costs, if approved, are paid directly to the applying school.
Program fees, if approved, are paid directly to the park.​