Lake View's Living Classroom

When did you first discover Lake View Cemetery? Generations have fallen in love with Lake View by receiving the opportunity to explore its beauty and appreciate its history at an early age.

Providing educational outreach programs that connect young people to their culture and heritage is a cornerstone of the Lake View Cemetery Foundation’s mission. Allowing students to expand their classroom to the outdoors by visiting our cemetery is an opportunity for learning to come to life and an emotional and lasting connection to be made.

In 2018, the James A. Garfield National Historic Site (Lawnfield) approached Lake View Cemetery with an invitation, to partner with them in building a program connected with Every Kid Outdoors. Given the alignment of this unique program with Lake View Cemetery’s mission, we enthusiastically signed on.

Every Kid Outdoors is an initiative of the National Park Foundation. Each year, beginning September 1st, all 4th graders can obtain their own Every Kid Outdoors pass that provides free access to national parks. This interactive program introduces and exposes these students to outdoor experiences that promote physical and emotional health, civic engagement and long-term appreciation for nature.

Cleveland is one of only nine focus cities chosen to participate throughout the country, so we are incredibly honored to be a part of this program!

Local Park Ranger Allison Powell and Lake View Cemetery’s Director of Community Outreach, Mary Krohmer, worked together to develop an interactive curriculum related to James A. Garfield’s life, Lawnfield, and the Garfield Monument and Memorial. This project was made possible by a grant from the National Park Foundation through generous support of donors from across the country.

During the months of January-May of 2019, nearly 1,000 kids participated along with teachers and Lake View Cemetery staff and volunteers. Most exciting was that all but one of the schools taking part were experiencing Lake View Cemetery for the very first time!

Students not only gained knowledge of Ohio history and American history, they learned that cemeteries are not a stagnant place but rather an opportunity to celebrate people’s lives.

In February we were pleased to receive our second grant in support of 2020 programming. We are thrilled for the ongoing collaboration with the National Park Foundation and Every Kid Outdoors initiative to inspire young people to love and preserve Lake View Cemetery!