No Child Left Inside grants

The submission period for 2024 grants is closed. We are no longer accepting applications. Information on future grants will be posted in fall 2024.

A youth fishing education programThe Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is excited to announce the continuation of the No Child Left Inside Grant Program.

Recent and emerging research indicates that students are increasingly disconnected from nature. Getting more people into the outdoors is crucial for the future stewardship of Minnesota's natural resources.

Purpose

The program aims to support and increase efforts to expand programming that connects youth to the outdoors. Originally funded by the 2019 Minnesota Legislature with continued funding from the 2021 and 2023 legislative sessions, these grants are provided for:

“outdoor environmental, ecological, and other natural-resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth.”

(See 2019 Special Session 1, Chapter 4, Article 1, Section 3, Subd. 6)

Multiple phases

The NCLI grant program has multiple phases. Funded projects are listed below.

Phase 1
OrganizationProjectLocationGrant
Albany Area Fishing TeamNo Child Left Inside Grant ProgramAvon$5,000.00
Anoka-Hennepin School District #11Andover HS Outdoors Adventures BWCAW field tripAndover$5,000.00
ARAA Outdoors (Anoka/Ramsey Athletic Association)Anoka/Ramsey Athletic Association Outdoors ProgramRamsey$5,000.00
Bertha-Hewitt Elementary SchoolOutdoor Learning ClassroomBertha$4,600.00
Buffalo Ridge Gobblers - NWTFHoverball and StickIt Archery SetMarshall$3,000.00
Children's Museum of Southern MinnesotaPrairie's Edge Exploration BackpacksMankato$2,175.00
Chisago CountyRivers are Alive, Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Students in Chisago CountyCenter City$3,500.00
City of Duluth Parks & RecreationConnecting Youth to Nature by SnowshoeingDuluth$5,000.00
Community Education ISD #108Exploring the Great OutdoorsNorwood Young America$3,250.00
Compassionate Rochester MN and Diversity CouncilBird Sleuth Explorer's Guide ClassRochester$770.00
Conservation Corps Minnesota & IowaYouth OutdoorsSaint Paul$5,000.00
Crosslake Community SchoolNo Child Left Inside GrantCrosslake$2,280.00
Dawson Boyd ISD #378Prairie Woods Environmental Learning CenterDawson$2,500.00
Dodge Nature CenterEnvironmental Education ScholarshipsWest Saint Paul$5,000.00
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning CenterScholarships for Outdoor EducationLanesboro$5,000.00
Farmington Area Public SchoolsOutdoor Learning Farmington ElementaryFarmington$5,000.00
Farmington Area Public SchoolsSnowshoes FarmingtonFarmington$4,105.00
Goodhue County Education DistrictStudent Educational Adventures ProgramRed Wing$4,245.00
Great River SchoolFruit Trees for Water QualitySaint Paul$5,000.00
Higher Ground Academy K-12 Charter SchoolIce Fishing at Como LakeSaint Paul$5,000.00
Hopkins Public SchoolsHopkins Preschool Nature PlayHopkins$5,000.00
Jordan Public Schools and Community Education Recreation CenterNordic Ski Equipment PackagesJordan$5,000.00
Kingsland Public SchoolsKingsland Elementary School Outdoor Education ProgramSpring Valley$1,850.00
Kinship of Morrison CountyNo Child Left Inside GrantLittle Falls$4,000.00
Lakeville South Clay Target Team2020 Spring Clay Target Season/ Trap and Skeet ShootingLakeville$5,000.00
Marshall County Central SchoolsNature Based Teacher WorkshopNewfolden$5,000.00
Milaca High SchoolMaple Syrup ProductionMilaca$4,600.00
Minneapolis Nature PreschoolMinneapolis Nature Preschool OutreachMinneapolis$5,000.00
Minneapolis Public SchoolsSouth High School Trout in the ClassroomMinneapolis$2,538.93
Minneapolis Public SchoolsBryn Mawr/ Anwatin Elementary and Middle School ForestMinneapolis$5,000.00
Minnesota State University, MankatoCamp Maverick: Exploring the Great OutdoorsMankato$2,040.00
Minnesota Youth Ski LeagueNo Child Left InsideMinneapolis$4,500.00
Morris Area Schools ISD #27695th Grade ELC TripMorris$1,002.00
North Lakes Academy Charter SchoolOutdoor Learning at Our New SchoolForest Lake$5,000.00
North Shore Community School (NSCS)2019 No Child Left Inside Mini GrantsDuluth$3,527.50
NWCA Baudette Head StartNo Child Left InsideBadger$3,200.00
Owatonna Public SchoolsMcKinley STEAM Elementary School/ WCNAOwatonna$4,560.00
Park Rapids Area SchoolsNo Child Left Inside GrantPark Rapids$3,200.00
Pedal Power MNWebster School BikingMinneapolis$5,000.00
Pillager Public School40 acre School Forest and School Ground Cross Country SkiingPillager$5,000.00
Pine Island Public SchoolEnvironmental and Outdoor EducationPine Island$5,000.00
Ramsey County Parks and RecreationYouth Snowshoe and XC Ski PurchaseMaplewood$4,920.00
Recreational Experiences Achieving Community Harmony (REACH)REACH's Youth Winter and Spring Survivor ProgramsCloquet$5,000.00
Redwood Area Community EducationRedwood Area Community Education Instructional and Safety GrantRedwood Falls$2,500.00
Regents of the University of MinnesotaExpanding Winter Programming at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science ReserveMinneapolis$4,990.00
Riverway Learning Community Charter SchoolOutdoor Learning SpaceWinona$5,000.00
Robbinsdale Area Schools ISD #281School of Engineering and Arts KindergartenGolden Valley$3,000.00
Robbinsdale Area Schools ISD #281Robbinsdale Area School Early Childhood ProgramsNew Hope$555.70
Rockford Area SchoolsRockford School Forest ExplorersRockford$1,400.00
Ruffed Grouse Society Rum River ChapterUpland Bird CampCambridge$850.00
Saint Paul School of Northern LightsNo Child Left Inside GrantSaint Paul$5,000.00
South Washington County SchoolsPark High School to MN Landscape ArboretumCottage Grove$5,000.00
St. Charles Public SchoolsSt. Charles Trap TeamSt. Charles$2,500.00
St. Raphael Catholic SchoolEnvironmental Field TripsSpringfield$2,548.00
Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictAugmented Reality Sand TableWaite Park$5,000.00
The Friends of South High FoundationAll Nations South HighMinneapolis$5,000.00
Thomas E. & Edna D. Carpenter FoundationYouth Snowshoe PurchaseHastings$5,000.00
University of Wisconsin-River FallsTRIO Upward Bound at Washington Technology Magnet SchoolSaint Paul$5,000.00
Upper Mississippi AcademyUMA Hiking Co. No Child Left Inside Mini GrantSaint Paul$5,000.00
  Total$233,707.13
Phase 2
OrganizationProjectLocationGrant
Albert Lea Schools ISD 0241Targeting Outdoor EngagementAlbert Lea$23,686.50
Anoka Hennepin Schools ISD 11Winter Ecology and Fish SurveyAnoka$11,550.00
Ardent Outdoor GroupBig Fish and Fry High School Ice Fishing LeagueWest St. Paul$45,440.64
Bertha-Hewitt Public Schools ISD 0786Sporting ClaysBertha$10,000.00
Cannon Falls Public Schools ISD 252Cannon Falls Outdoor Education BlockCannon Falls$5,800.00
City of AnokaYouth Waterfowl Hunting CollaborationAnoka$10,500.00
Deer River Schools ISD 317Gikinawaabi (He or she learns by observation)Deer River$49,938.00
Duluth Public Schools ISD 709Outdoor Learning and Recreation at Recess and After SchoolDuluth$25,000.00
Friends of the Mill DistrictFour Seasons of InclusionMinneapolis$48,120.00
Great River SchoolBack into Nature: A series of natural experiencesSaint Paul$7,750.00
Hancock Public Schools ISD 768"""Owls Outdoors"""Hancock$17,820.00
Headwaters Science Center (HSC)Science Centered OutdoorsBemidji$9,186.78
Hmong College Prep AcademyBass Fishing ClubSt. Paul$5,000.00
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Public Schools ISD 0775Dry Fire Trap Simulator/ Garmin Trap Shooting TrainerKerkhoven$7,079.99
Lower Sioux Indian CommunityYear-Round Dakota Youth Outdoors ProgramMorton$30,520.00
McGregor Public Schools ISD 4All 4 OutdoorsMcGregor$5,000.00
Minneapolis Nature PreschoolPre-K as Incubator and Stimulator of Collaborative, Comprehensive Environmental EdMinneapolis$44,785.00
Nashwauk-Keewatin Public Schools ISD 319Spartan AnglingNashwauk$11,500.00
North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Public Schools ISD 622Inclusion on North's Fishing TeamNorth Saint Paul$6,900.00
Owatonna Public Schools ISD 761OMS Outdoor Classroom Improvement ProjectOwatonna$9,472.00
Pelican Rapids Area Schools ISD 0548Minnesota Climate Safety: enjoying the outdoors in rural MinnesotaPelican Rapids$6,204.26
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning CenterEstablishing 4-Season Mountain Bike Programs at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning CenterSpicer$12,000.00
Redwood Area Schools ISD 2897Medicine Wheel GardenRedwood Falls$7,528.00
Rochester Public Schools ISD 0535Pilot for Archery in Public School Physical Education Curriculum for Rochester Public SchoolsRochester$13,525.00
Rochester Public Schools ISD 0535Nature ConnectionRochester$10,829.00
Saint Paul Public Schools ISD 0625-001Humboldt Hawk Eyes Archery Hunting ClubSaint Paul$8,280.00
Saint Paul Public Schools ISD 0625-001Getting Hooked on the OutdoorsSaint Paul$32,890.00
South Koochiching-Rainy River Public Schools ISD 363Outdoors Arts and Crafts ClassNorthome$5,370.00
Special School District No. 1 (aka Minneapolis Public Schools)Learning Through the SeasonsMinneapolis$35,250.00
St. Charles Public Schools ISD 0858Explore More OutdoorsSt. Charles$5,000.00
St. Croix River AssociationA River for All Youth: Outdoor Education and Recreation at the St. Croix National Scenic RiverwaySt. Croix Falls$49,999.00
Student Angler OrganizationStudent Angler Organization Safety and Angler Participation GrowthHam Lake$49,000.00
Watertown-Mayer Public Schools ISD 111Outdoor AdventuresWatertown$12,365.00
While Bear Lake Area Public Schools ISD 624Ice Fishing Club Field DayWhite Bear Lake$6,000.00
  Total$639,289.17
Phase 3
OrganizationProjectLocationGrant
Ashby Schools - ISD 261Wading Into New OpportunitiesAshby, Battle Park$4,830.00
Bemidji Parks and Recreation DepartmentNature Play and Outdoor Education in North Country ParkBemidji$3,630.00
Brooklyn Center Middle and High School - ISD 286Growing BCCSBrooklyn Center$5,000.00
City of EaganOutdoor ExplorationEagan$4,000.00
City of Saint Paul Police DepartmentCops and BobbersGarrison, St. Paul$5,000.00
Cloquet Public Schools - ISD 94Cloquet High School PE and Adapted PE Archery ProgramCloquet$4,325.97
Detroit Lakes Schools, Roosevelt Elementary - ISD 22Exploring Through the SeasonsDetroit Lakes$3,000.00
Duluth Area Family YMCAHarbor Highlands Winter ReadyDuluth$4,993.00
Empowering Kids PerhamAutism OutdoorsNew York Mills, Battle Lake$5,000.00
Frazee-Vergas Schools - ISD 23ECFE/School Readiness Outdoor ClassroomFrazee$2,200.52
Fridley Public Schools - ISD 14Disc GolfFridley$3,874.00
Friends of Crane Meadows National Wildlife RefugeCrane Meadows Bird WalkLittle Falls$3,520.00
Garlough Environmental Magnet School - ISD 197Students Ski for Wellness and Science Learning at GEMSWest St. Paul$5,000.00
Great River GreeningFuture Stewards Youth ProgramMinneapolis$5,000.00
Heritage E-STEM Magnet School - ISD 197Ice FishingEagan$1,400.00
Hinckley–Finlayson Public Schools - ISD 2165K-5 Environmental Education InitiativeSandstone$5,000.00
InSciEd Out FoundationEnvironmental Science InSciEd OutByron$5,000.00
Lower Phalen Creek ProjectStewarding Unci Maka: Connecting Indigenous Youth to the Tradition and Science of Protecting Grandmother EarthSt. Paul$5,000.00
Metro BloomsSustainable Landcare Training for Youths in North MinneapolisMinneapolis$5,000.00
Minneapolis Public Schools, Loring ElementaryOsprey Wilds Environmental Learning ExperienceSandstone$5,000.00
Minnesota Trout UnlimitedFostering Environmental Stewardship Through Youth and Family Fishing ProgramsMinneapolis/St. Paul$5,000.00
Mother's Tutoring AcademyMississippi River Day Canoe TripMinneapolis$5,000.00
Muslim American Society of MinnesotaExploration of Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park ReserveLino Lakes$5,000.00
New Foundations Saint Peter / Grass & Roots OutdoorsProject Let's G.O.! Get Outside!Saint Peter, Mankato$5,000.00
North Hennepin Community CollegeGlobal and Cultural Studies 1970, Environmental Justice and Nature ImmersionBabbitt$5,000.00
North St. Louis Soil & Water Conservation DistrictWater Education OutreachChisholm$4,000.00
North Star Community RowingNorth Star Community Rowing, Youth Rowing ProgramMinneapolis$5,000.00
Operation No LimitsFinding Fun and Food through FishingLino Lakes$3,900.00
Prairie Seeds Academy - Charter School 4126Outdoor RecreationBrooklyn Park$3,800.00
Project Get Outdoors, Inc. (Project GO)Legend HuntersWinona$5,000.00
Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed DistrictUsing Binoculars to Explore the Habitat/Ecosystems Within Restoration Projects and Native PlantingsSt. Paul, Shoreview, Roseville, Maplewood$5,000.00
River Bend Nature Center, Inc.Intro to ArcheryFaribault$2,000.00
Riverview Intermediate School - ISD 748RIS ArcherySartell$3,500.00
Rochester Public Schools, Sports Biology/Environmental Awareness - ISD 535JM OutdoorEDRochester, Kellogg$3,500.00
Shetek Lutheran MinistriesWinter Adventure Day at Lake Shetek State ParkCurrie$4,760.98
Southside Family Nurturing CenterGreen Schoolyard / Outdoor Equipment and MaterialsMinneapolis$2,000.00
Star Lake Wilderness CampStar Lake Wilderness CampingCross Lake$5,000.00
STEAM Academy - Charter School 4270-07Bicycle Program for East African Students in St. PaulSt. Paul$5,000.00
Success Academy Bloomington - Charter School 4232-01Archery for Bloomington StudentsBloomington$3,500.00
Success Academy St. Cloud - Charter School 4232-02Archery for St. Cloud StudentsSt. Cloud$3,500.00
Three Rivers Park DistrictStriding through NatureBrooklyn Park$5,000.00
Winona Outdoor CollaborativeRiverway School Forest Environmental EducationWinona$5,000.00
Wood Lake Nature CenterReplace and Update Classroom Set of Cross Country SkisRichfield$5,000.00
Yellow Medicine East - ISD 2190Prairie Smoke Environmental LearningGranite Falls$5,000.00
  Total$190,234.47
Phase 4
OrganizationProjectLocationGrant
Advancement of Hmong AmericansSEA Youth Ua Si OutsideMinneapolis, Brooklyn Park$13,700.00
Agassiz Environmental Learning CenterOutdoor Discovery at the Fertile Sand HillsFertile$10,728.00
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Department of Natural ResourcesBois Forte Band of Chippewa Youth Nature ProgramNett Lake, Cook$9,840.00
Friends of Pool 2Kids Reach the RiverNewport$7,490.00
Hinckley–Finlayson Public SchoolsNew Fishing Class and Advanced Physical EducationHinckley$19,866.00
Les Voyageurs IncExplore The OutdoorsSt. Cloud, Tofte$10,000.00
Mankato Area Public SchoolsNature-based Programming for the MAPS Center of Early LearningMankato$25,000.00
Minneapolis Public Schools, Bryn Mawr ElementarySnowshoes & Science In The ForestMinneapolis$24,980.00
Mississippi Headwaters Audubon SocietyBuilding Fishing FamiliesBemidji$7,070.00
New City Charter SchoolLearning Expedition Gear Library and Field WorkMinneapolis$6,401.95
Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning CenterAccessible Outdoor RecreationSandstone$24,467.00
Reach for Resources, Inc.Teen ExplorersMinnetonka$14,884.00
Red Wing Environmental Learning CenterOutdoor Adventure ClubRed Wing$22,430.00
Star of the North AcademyIntroducing Children to Life Long Outdoor ActivitiesEast Bethel$15,011.04
Three Rivers Park DistrictFishing Immersion, Mentorship, and OutreachMaple Plain, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center$25,000.00
Urban RootsEast Side Outside: Youth Outdoor Education, Conservation, and RecreationSaint Paul$25,000.00
  Total$261,867.99
Phase 2023
OrganizationProjectLocationGrant
Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart High School ISD 2159Outdoor EducationHector$5,000.00 
Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose ECFE ISD 877Ready Set Grow (RSG) Nature-Based PreschoolBuffalo$25,000.00 
Camp Fire MinnesotaOut Of School Time (OST) ProgramExcelsior$25,000.00 
Career Pathways CHARTER 4237State and Regional Park Experiential LearningSt. Paul$5,000.00 
Catholic Youth CampCity Connects PartnershipRoseville$5,000.00 
City of Chisholm - Parks, Trails, & Recreation DepartmentSnowshoe Redhead ProgramChisholm$4,200.00 
City of Duluth Police DepartmentGet Hooked on FishingDuluth$20,000.00 
City of OwatonnaAdaptive ArcheryOwatonna$5,000.00 
Clearbrook-Gonvick School District ISD 2311All Kids Deserve The Opportunity to Experience MN Winters: Ice Fishing and Snowshoeing Adventures!Clearbrook$5,000.00 
Cornerstones at MAWSECO ISD 938Lake Pulaski Water Environment ExplorationBuffalo$2,100.00 
Division of Indian WorkYouth Leadership Development Program (YLDP) No Child Left Inside ProjectMinneapolis$5,000.00 
Eagle Ridge Green Team ISD 191Wild About the Wilderness and Survival Celebration of the SeasonsSavage$5,000.00 
Eagle View Elementary School ISD 186Eagle View Archery ProgramPequot Lakes$3,570.00 
Family Service Rochester360 Degrees of FishingRochester$5,000.00 
Faribault Public Schools ISD 656Outdoor Diversity InitiativeFaribault$25,000.00 
Fergus Falls Public Schools ISD 544Prairie Science ClassFergus Falls$5,000.00 
Fishing for LifeIce Fishing - Fishing For Life - Youth Ice Fishing and Dark House Spearing programsMinneapolis$4,899.90 
Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife RefugeBlazing a Path for Environmental LiteracyRochert$17,200.00 
Friends of the Boundary Waters WildernessBoundary Waters WorkshopsSaint Paul$16,800.00 
Friends of the Mississippi RiverYouth Environmental StewardsSt. Paul$5,000.00 
Gatewood Elementary School ISD 270Outdoor Environmental Science ProgramMinnetonka$15,000.00 
Henning Public Schools ISD 545Fishing/Trap Shooting/Early Education Outdoor PlayHenning$5,000.00 
Lac qui Parle - Yellow Bank Watershed DistrictStonehill Park & Del Clark Lake Scavenger Hunt Education SeriesMadison$9,970.00 
Lake Benton Elementary ISD 404Fishing experiences at Lake Benton/Snowshoe at Hole In The Mountain ParkLake Benton$5,200.00 
Lake Park Audubon ISD 2889Exploring Our EcosystemsLake Park$22,848.00 
Long Lake Conservation FoundationOjibwe Winter Village ClassroomPalisade$20,000.00 
Marshall Area YMCAY ArcheryMarshall$5,000.00 
Masjed Abubakr Al-SeddiqRochester Immigrant/Refugee Student Camping, Fishing, & Outdoor ExplorationRochester$5,000.00 
Mille Lacs Band of OjibweMLBO DNR No Child Left InsideOnamia$25,000.00 
Minneapolis Bilingual Education CollectiveGreen Team Outdoors: Fishing, Snowshoeing, and Environmental JusticeMinneapolis$5,000.00 
Minneapolis Park and Recreation BoardMpls. Park & Rec. Board: Kroening Nature CenterMinneapolis$25,000.00 
Minnesota Valley Refuge FriendsMinnesota Valley Refuge Field Trips - Creating and Educated, Passionate Population of ConservationistsBloomington$5,000.00 
National Loon CenterJunior Loon Biologist ProgramCrosslake$7,830.00 
North Park School for Innovation ISD 13Sustainable Pollinators, Sustainable WorldFridley$25,000.00 
Osakis Public Schools ISD 213Osakis Multidisciplinary Outdoor Education InitiativeOsakis$5,000.00 
Otter Tail Youth Ski LeagueOtter Tail Youth Ski League Equipment DriveFergus Falls$4,500.00 
Park Rapids School District ISD 309Outdoor Recreation EducationPark Rapids$3,781.85 
Patrick Henry High School MPS District 1Wilderness Inquiry Field Trip - Henry High SchoolMinneapolis$3,000.00 
Positive Energy OutdoorsAdventure ClubDuluth$5,000.00 
Project SuccessOutdoor Adventure DaysMinneapolis$5,000.00 
Propel Nonprofits - Frogtown GreenFrogs in the SnowMinneapolis$5,000.00 
R.O.Y.O. Returning Our Youth OutdoorsGetting youth excited about ice fishingTracy$4,200.00 
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office - Youth Plus ProgramYouth Plus Program - Fishing & Water SafetySaint Paul$4,500.00 
Recreation Alliance of Winona (RAW)Prairie Island Adventure ClubWinona$18,900.00 
Renville County Sheriff's OfficeYouth Firearms Safety Field and Hunting ExperienceOlivia$4,120.00 
Richard Green Central Elementary MPS District 1Green Central Nordic Ski Instruction Field TripMinneapolis$4,959.00 
Richfield Central Education Center ISD 280Richfield ECFE ECO Course Curriculum and MaterialsRichfield$5,000.00 
Rollingstone Community School CHARTER 4293Rollingstone “ROCKS” into Nature!Rollingstone$4,720.00 
Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan ISD 196AV Eagle Convocation Wilderness Experience ProgramRosemount$5,000.00 
Rum River Art Center IncNature Art Sketching and JournalingAnoka$5,000.00 
Saint Paul Parks and RecreationOutdoor Adventures Saint PaulSaint Paul$25,000.00 
South Education Center Intermediate District 287Creating Memories and Future AnglersRichfield$4,850.00 
The Loppet FoundationYear-Round Expansion of Minne Loppet Elementary ProgramMinneapolis$25,000.00 
The Urban VillageK'Nyaw CampSt Paul$5,000.00 
Urban Boatbuilders IncOn the Water Supplies Purchases for Underserved YouthSaint Paul$5,000.00 
Valley View Elementary ISD 13Step Outside to a Valley View AdventureColumbia Heights$5,000.00 
White Earth Outdoor Unity TeamFour Seasons of Outdoor ActivityNaytahwaush$22,818.00 
Wilderness Inquiry IncPyramid of Engagement: Connecting Diverse Minnesota Youth to a Progression of Outdoor Education and RecreationSaint Paul$22,355.00 
Wilmar Public Schools ISD 347Explore the Outdoors - Summer Learning Enrichment ProgramWillmar$5,000.00 
Wolf Ridge ELCSEAK Summer Field ExperienceFinland$5,000.00 
Wright County Parks and RecreationArchery SkillsBuffalo$4,000.00 
YMCA of the NorthYMCA Adventure in the Neighborhood Day CampsMinneapolis$24,430.00 
  Total$615,751.75 

Questions

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Find answers on our questions and answers page or email [email protected]. You also can use the sign-up box at right to receive program updates via email.

The DNR extends its thanks to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for the use of "No Child Left Inside."

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