President Delyte Morris had a passion for the outdoors and believed that students could benefit from an outdoor laboratory where they can study forestry, botany, agriculture and more. His idea started to become a reality in 1949 when the SIU Board of Trustees bought 150 acres along Little Grassy Lake and opened SIU’s Little Grassy Lake Campus (now called Touch of Nature Environmental Center). Since then, Touch of Nature has grown to over 3,100 acres of rolling hills and lush forests which provide the perfect atmosphere for outdoor education and adventure.
The mission is to enhance learning, promote professional development, encourage personal and interpersonal development, and increase environmental awareness. Adventure Education, Therapeutic Recreation, Environmental Education and Veteran Adventures and Outdoor Adventures are a few of the programs hosted by Touch of Nature.
Touch of Nature Development Fund: Financial assistance in developing Touch of Nature
Touch of Nature Camp Little Giant Camperships: This fund is to directly support Camp Little Giant camper scholarships.
Environmental Education: General expenses and campership support for the Environmental Education Program.
Underway Adventures Activities Fund: The Underway Adventure Program provides shared outdoor adventure and individual growth through experiential education and adventure based learning. Programming includes rock climbing, high ropes course, teams courses, caving, canoeing, backpacking, camp outs, and various outdoor education programs to meet your group's needs. This fund will be used in support of the Underway Adventure Program. Expenditures including but not limited to staff developments, program needs, public relations, promotion, equipment purchases, and payment of program fees for participants with financial need.
Veteran Adventures: To fund scholarships for student veterans to the Veteran Adventure Program.
