Summer has come to an end and back-to-school events are in full swing, but that does not mean that a family road trip is out of the question. Whether it is a weekend outing or a longer excursion during a school break, families have the opportunity to get out and explore new, exciting, and educational sites this fall. We are well into the National Park Service’s centennial year, and families are encouraged to participate in the milestone by attending programming focused on recreation, conservation, and preservation.
Is your child a fourth grader? The latest initiative, Every Kid in a Park, allows fourth graders throughout the country to receive a pass for free entry to locations with the National Park Service. The pass is not only for them, but their families as well — giving them all access to more than 2,000 federally-managed lands and waters nationwide. Fourth graders will be able to learn about their heritage, history, and culture while connecting with nature. The pass is valid for an entire year, starting Sept. 1 and going until Aug. 31, 2017.
According to the National Park Service, this initiative is part of President Obama’s commitment to protect our nation’s outdoor spaces. The program, established in 2015, aims to ensure that Americans — especially young Americans — have the opportunity to visit the country’s national parks.
Children can benefit from this opportunity in so many ways — by not only engaging in a unique setting for family time, but also using the parks as a supplement to in-class learning. These “living classrooms” (i.e., outdoor places and historic sites) provide hands-on, real-world opportunities to develop critical skills and learn about history and the environment around them. Parents can find links to additional information on parks and nearby public lands just by visiting the website (www.every
This initiative showcases historic sites, federal lands, and waters, giving children an opportunity to connect to the outdoors — a nice change from screen time on phones, tablets, and computers. The initiative is slated to continue with each year’s group of fourth graders — encouraging them to visit the sites, parks, and public lands in their own backyards.
However, it is not completely tech-free, because the fourth-grade students must go to the Every Kid in a Park website to receive their pass. The pass admits the fourth grader and additional passengers in a personal vehicle (or up to three more if the park or site charges a per person fee).
The Every Kid in a Park initiative also serves as a call to action. Fourth graders — between the ages of 9 and 11 — are at a prime stage in development, which is just shy of the adolescence phase. This initiative is an effort to build a new generation of environmentalists, historians, and outdoor stewards. To embrace this highly influential time, children and families are invited to discover the national parks and become enamored by them. So, try boating, hiking, fishing, or camping with your children! Or, learn more about our nation’s history, plants, and wildlife.
If your schedule during the academic year is packed with activities, consider taking a single day to visit or volunteer at nearby park, site, or public land. On Sept. 24, groups and individuals can celebrate Public Lands Day (which is in its 23rd year and sponsored by Toyota) by volunteering to help preserve public lands consisting of thousands of parks and millions of acres nationwide. On this day, fees are waived — making parks more accessible to those that want to visit or want to lend a helping hand in their neighborhood parks, local beaches, and national parks. The National Park Service wants to encourage use of public lands for education, recreation, and general health. Take this day to enjoy the great outdoors!
Fourth graders can visit the “Get Your Pass” section of www.everykidinapark.gov, complete an online activity, and download a personalized voucher for print and unlimited use at federal lands and waters locations for one year. The paper voucher can also be exchanged for a more durable, Interagency Annual Fourth Grade Pass at certain federal lands or waters sites. The website offers information on how to obtain a voucher and pass, tips for trip planning, and how parents and educators can get involved.
Shnieka Johnson is an education consultant and freelance writer. She is based in Manhattan where she resides with her husband and son. Contact her via her website: www.shnie
