Newย initiativeย offersย 4th graders and their families to experience our countryโ€™s natural treasures, rich history, and vibrant culture free of chargeย 

Photo: National Park Foundation

Photo: National Park Foundation

Did you know that you own millions of acres of national parks, historic structures, cultural artifacts, ancient forests, snow-capped mountains, and clear blue lakes? Our public lands and waters belong to all Americans and are waiting for you to explore them.

To help engage and create our next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates, the National Parks Foundation is kicking off the Every Kid in a Park initiative. The immediate goal is to provide an opportunity for each and every 4th grade student across the country to experience their public lands and waters in person throughout the 2015-2016 school year.ย The Every Kid in a Park pass will provideย free access to national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and more.ย The ย pass will be available starting September 1, 2015 and will be good for the 2015-2016 school year until August 31, 2016.

Every Kid in a Park joins the Foundation’s Open Outdoors for Kids program in helping children learn history, culture, and science while exploring the great outdoors. The initiative is an administration-wide effort among the National Park Service, Forest Service, Department of Education, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

To sign up and receive a voucher, or to learn how you can help support this effort, visit nationalparks.org/ook.