A new class of fourth graders will soon be eligible to enroll in Every Kid Outdoors, a federal program that provides up to a year of free access to National Forests, National Parks and other public lands for fourth grade students and their families.
Starting on Sept. 1, fourth graders, parents and educators will be able to visit the Every Kid Outdoors website at www.everykidoutdoors.gov to learn more about obtaining free entry to all federal lands for fourth graders and their families.
Students and their families will be able to print off paper vouchers and redeem them for durable, plastic passes at any Forest Service office where passes are sold. Passes and vouchers are valid for the entire school year, through Aug. 31, 2023.
“Every Kid Outdoors is designed to get kids and their families to explore the outdoors and explore the incredible experiences that are available to them on public lands,” said Krystal Fleeger, recreation fee specialist for the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region. “These passes are intentionally designed to belong to the fourth graders and can only be used when they are present. We want people to get out there and explore these places as a family.”
The decision to orient the program to fourth graders is based on research showing children ages 9 to 11 are likely to form lasting connections to nature and our history when introduced to public lands and historic sites.
“Public lands serve an important role. They’re living classrooms, and portals to lifelong learning about the natural and cultural history of forests, grasslands and other treasured places,” said Thea Garrett, interim conservation education program manager for the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region. “Our hope is this program will help inspire the next generation to care for public lands, and to continue to steward these special places for the benefit of future generations.”
