OVERVIEW, RECIPIENT AND NPS SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT Provide a brief overview of the project â₏“ the Recipient and why they were chosen â₏“ NPS Substantial Involvement NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria: The Dunes Learning Center has been working with the NPS for 15 years to develop joint programming for schools, youth and adults. They work with school districts years in advance to schedule residential programming and have worked closely with the NPS to develop, implement and evaluate a high quality curriculum. The NPS wants to continue that excellent service to the community without an interruption of programming or a disruption in the community involvement that has been taking place with organizations throughout the region. This particular project involves working with the volunteer youth corps to provide an overnight in-depth experience at another national park. It also involves working with a regional symphony group to produce an anniversary concert involving a variety of partners and stakeholders. This partner is especially poised to provide those services and has been doing so for over 10 years with the NPS.