Highlands Center for Natural History

The Highlands Center for Natural History provides opportunities for children to develop a sense of Wonder, Discovery and Exploration utilizing the unique and beautiful ecosystems of the Central Arizona Highlands.  We offer a wide range of programs for children, families, adults, and schools. The Center partners with Prescott National Forest through a Special Use Permit to operate the Center's 80 acre campus.

All contributions received from Arizona Gives Day will be directed towards The Fiona Reid Scholarship Fund. The annual interest from this endowed fund (invested with the Arizona Community Foundation) will be used to support scholarships for deserving children to attend summer and school-break camps at the Highlands Center. We strive to ensure that no child is ever turned away from our programs because of a lack of financial resources. Your gift will keep giving, year after year: sustaining scholarship requests, while nurturing and inspiring the next generation of conservationists, environmental resource managers and outdoor enthusiasts. To date, the fund has a balence of $26,000, but much more is needed in order to meet the growing number of scholarship requests.

As a special bonus, this year, your donation will also be matched dollar for dollar up to $1,300 by the generous support of the Prescott Hike Shack, Prescott Peaks Real Estate Group and Prescott Women's Magazine.  

To provide you with a better idea about the impact of our camp programs, please read the comments below, shared by the children & parents who have been touched by our exceptional educational programs, 

"Over the past several years, the Highlands Center and its dedicated staff, have provided me with a new understanding of nature, a deep appreciation for the natural world and have changed the direction of my future. I now have a passion for going outdoors, studying nature and exploring the world around me."  13 year old camper.

" I think the oudoors means a lot! It means not being lazy on the couch with cake and TV. This camp taugth me to go outdoors, excerize, play and just have FUN. 7 year old camper

"Being out in nature is amazing! It's fun to learn about my surroundings and feel the passion of those around me. Without this camp I would not understand much about the cycle of life and why my life is so important." 10 year old camper   

 "To me nature is a place to respect and preserve, but also to have fun in. I am part of nature because I have learned about it. The best part is, I like here! Nature is something that creates inspiration."  11 year old camper

"When I picked up my son on his first day of camp, he ran up to me and said, 'Mom this was the best day of my life!'. Thanks for all you did and continue to do." Parent of 7 year old

"Thanks to Nature Camp, my daughter has fallen in love with nature. While other children spend hours indoors in front of TVs, computers, video games, she would rather be outdoors. It would be an understatement to say that nature camp was a life transforming experience." Parent of a 7 year old summer camper

"I have had some great adventures in nature camp such as: seeing 6-foot Gophersnake, seeing my first ever Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake and Alligator Lizard. The Highlands Center has given me wonderful opportunities to pursue my dream of being a herpetologist. I am very glad for my many fun filled years at the Center's nature programs and the many memories that have been made there." 14 year old camper

"Today I will go home to Phoenix. I never want this day to end. I don’t want to stop doing nature camp–it has begun to be part of my life now. To me nature means clean creek water, and tall Ponderosa Pines; the scent of flowers and fresh air. I hope it always stays the same. I want it to be here for generations to come." 11 year old camper

Your gift today will help make it possible for future generations of children to enjoy similar encounters with the natural world via the Fiona Reid Scholarship Fund.  

The Highlands Center is a nonprofit organization that depends on contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and community partners to sustain our educational programs and general operations.