The Every Kid in a Park program – now called Every Kid Outdoors – is about getting kids outside to learn about our natural wonders and historic sights. This initiative from The United States National Park Service was created in 2015 by Barack Obama and aims to provide 4th graders with a free annual pass to visit the now 428 parks within the National Park System. This is a great way for families to visit the National Parks for free!
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Why Just Fourth Graders?
Research indicates that children in 4th grade, or ages 9-11, are at an age where they can start to understand how the world works around them. They better engaged with nature and the environment as they learn.
Getting kids in the parks and engaged with the world around them helps us raise responsible and informed adults. Public schools around the country, typically teach state history in fourth grade, so much of what is learned at the national parks aligns with public schools’ scope and sequence.
What if My Younger or Older Child Wants to Participate?
If you and your family are ready to visit the National Parks for free, and you have younger (or older) children who would like to participate, there is a way! The Junior Ranger program is an activity-based initiative found in most national parks.
It is typically geared toward children between the ages of 5 and 13, however, all ages are allowed to participate. To be sworn in as a Junior Ranger, kids will interview a ranger, complete a series of activities during their visit to the park, share their answers, and receive their official Junior Ranger patch and certification.
How to Get Involved with Every Kid Outdoors
To enjoy the vast amount of federally managed lands and waters, your 4th grader will need a special pass. Getting the pass is easy.
- Head over to Every Kid Outdoors to get your free pass.
- Participate in a short educational activity.
- Print your free passes.
Once you bring your free pass to your first park, your child will be presented with an Every Kid Outdoors badge and lanyard, which was a fun surprise.
My son presented his pass at Montezuma Castle in Camp Verde, Arizona, and received the badge and lanyard there. Our trip during that vacation also included stops at the Grand Canyon National Park and Tuzigoot National Monument. Park rangers and gift shop staff – upon seeing the badge – acknowledged the 4th grader in our party!
What do I do with the pass?
Now that you have your free pass, enjoy the national lands and waters when you and your family head out on a vacation or field trip.
The pass is good for free entry for your 4th grader to any of the participating areas. No matter where you live, you have a participating area that is not too far away and within driving distance. A complete list can be found here.
This pass will have a unique code for 4th graders. If you have more than one 4th grader, you will need to get a pass for each child.
However, kids can bring a few friends and family into the parks with them. The pass grants free entry for fourth graders, all children under 16 in the group, and up to three accompanying adults. It is also good for an entire carload if you are going to visit a drive-in park. The pass is only for free entry into the areas and does not cover fees for camping, boat rides, etc.
The National Park Service also offers a Junior Ranger Online program where kids can participate in online and printable activities. Parks will often post information and activities online for kids to discover and learn. This is a great way to view special parks and watch the wildlife from the comfort of your own home.
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