Program offers grants for school Statehouse trips

COLUMBUS (AP) — A new program funded through corporate support is offering to help pay for school field trips to the Ohio Statehouse’s new museum.

Statehouse officials announced Monday that schools may apply for grants ranging from $200 to $400 to cover the cost of a bus. How much a school receives depends on how far it is from Columbus.

Honda of America and the Walmart Foundation have provided $72,000 to fund the program in its first year.

Officials say 240 grants are available and will be given to schools on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Statehouse Museum, in the basement of the state capitol building, opened this summer with interactive exhibits telling the story of Ohio and its government.