Carolyn Elder Field Trip Award 

A new way to experience Sutter’s Fort!

We have established the Carolyn Elder Field Trip Award to honor the legacy of valued member of Friends of Sutter’s Fort, dedicated Sutter’s Fort docent volunteer and respected educator Carolyn Elder. 

Please support this grant program by making a donation. 

About carolyn elder

Carolyn Elder attended CSU, Sacramento earning a B.A. in Theatre Arts, and a M.A. with an emphasis in Arts Education. She became a middle school theatre teacher at Elk Grove Unified School District. Ms. Elder was a Fellow of the California Arts Project and worked on the State of California’s writing committees for the California Visual and Performing Arts Framework and California State Standards. In 2008, the American Association for Educational Theatre (AATE) awarded her the Lin Wright Award for “most improving theatre education for students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, in the United States.”

While working at Elk Grove Unified School District, she created Costumes Enough, a clothing rental company that assisted thousands of students participating in living history programs. She continued working with students even after she began her fight against pancreatic cancer.

Carolyn understood the power that field trips have in helping students better understand what they are learning about in school and donated many hours to volunteering with school programs at Sutter’s Fort.

Carolyn was an active docent at Sutter’s Fort SHP, where she provided expertise in historic dress. She volunteered with many Friends of Sutter’s Fort events, Girl Scout Program and other public programs.

how to apply for funding

We no not have funds left in the current school year for this grant program. A new round for Elk Grove Unified School District Classrooms should open in the Fall of 2024. Please contact linsey@suttersfort.org for application information. Funding available may include: 

  • Environmental Living Program (to cover program fees and/or supplies)
  • Environmental Studies Program (to cover program fees and/or supplies)
  • School Tour Program, 45 minute State Park led School Program (to cover program fee and/or transportation expenses)