Photo courtesy of Pacific Historic Parks A new youth initiative to get all 4th graders and their families to experience the places that are home to our country's natural treasures, rich history, and vibrant culture FREE OF CHARGE!
Total Program Time Commitment: 4 hours
Max Capacity: 40 participants
Requires: Pre-Site Visit, On-Site Field Trip and Post-Site Activity
Includes: Bus Funds for Transportation Needs & Every Kid in a Park Digital Pass (Perfect for those planning trips to the Big Island or Maui!)
What is Every Kid in a Park? President Obama has announced that beginning September 1st all kids in the fourth grade have access to their own Every Kid in a Park pass. In the lead up to the 100th birthday of the National Park Service in 2016, the President's Every Kid in a Park initiative is a call to action to get all children to visit and enjoy America's unparalleled outdoors. This pass provides free access to national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and more! The Every Kid in a Park pass is good for the 2015-2016 school year, until August 31, 2016.
Why 4th Graders? According to the White House, the school grade was decided on for "logistical, educational and instructional reasons." The National Park Service and other land and water agencies already have 4th grade programming in place in many locations focusing on state history during the 4th grade, which aligns well with what NPS and other land managers have to offer. The White House also points to 4th graders only having one teacher at that age, making it easier for them to reach the group and research which shows the earlier a youth connects with the outdoors the better for their development long term. Studies point to age 11 as the last chance to make those important impacts and building of a relationship with nature. Teenagers younger than 16 can already access the parks for free, but there is a fee for adults accompanying them and for the family car. An annual nationwide family vehicle pass is $80.
For the General Public World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument is a fee free park! Which is great! But because you can always visit us for free it means no pass is required and we are unable to hand out hard passes to visiting 4th graders. You can also reserve tickets in advance at www.recreation.gov, but again the 4th grade pass (as well as the Golden Eagle & Senior Citizens Passes) will not waive the $1.50 convenience fee.
For Schools The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument ParkED (Park Education) Team is happy to announce a new Field Trip Program specifically tied to Every Kid in a Park!
What does an Every Kid in a Park Field Trip Look Like? Teachers can request an Every Kid in the Park field trip just as they would any other field trip at WW II Valor NM by filling out our Online Request a Field Trip Form (pre-site visits will be discussed when the request has been received by the ParkED staff). Every Kid in a Park Field Trip requests require a Pre-Site Visit, National Park Site Visit and a Post- Site follow up. For Field Trips to WWII Valor in the Pacific NM we can provide up to $500 for transportation to and from your school to our Park Site (wait time will not be covered).
Pre-Site Overview: It is strongly suggested that this portion of the program takes place in your school's computer lab or if you are a 1:1 school this can be done on computers or iPads. A ParkED team member will come to your Computer Lab or Classroom and give a history of the National Park Service focusing on the Park that you plan to visit. We will also walk your students through the process of obtaining their Every Kid in a Park Pass, these passes can then be emailed to the students, printed by the school, or printed at home. These paper passes can then exchanged for a hard pass at a federal recreation area or park where interagency passes are issued. The in-class portion of the ParkED visit should take no more than an hour per classroom visit.
On-Site Overview (either Visiting WWII Valor in the Pacific NM-Oahu, Haleakala- Maui, or any of the National Park Sites on the Big Island): 4th grade students will participate in our Junior Ranger Scavenger Hunt (Total Program Time Commitment 4 hours, Max Capacity 40 participants).
Post-Site Follow Up: Teachers, we want to know how ParkED and the National Parks have helped you and your students. We will email you a survey and ask that you give us a critique, let us know what you want more of or less of. These are America's Parks, these are your Parks, help us make them what you want them to be.
For any other questions please email us.
Please Read our Field Trip FAQ.
Sample Timeline for a Field Trip at World War II Valor in the Pacific:
9:00 Students and chaperones arrive and take lunches to Education Building for storage.
9:05-9:15 Welcome and opening session by NPS Staff* (Lanai behind EDU building)
9:15-9:45 Students look through exhibit galleries, completing Junior Ranger Scavenger Hunt if desired
9:45-9:55 Last-chance restroom and water break
9:55 Line up at theater
10:00 Enter theater (seating available in the first 2-3 rows), program begins –watch film and visit USS Arizona Memorial, completing Junior Ranger Scavenger Hunt if desired
11:15 Return to Museums to finish looking through exhibit galleries, completing Jr. Ranger Scavenger Hunt.
11:30-12:00 Closing session with NPS Staff* (Remembrance Circle or Lanai)
12:00 Group breaks for lunch on lanai behind Education Building and/or heads back to the buses for the return trip
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Last updated: September 24, 2015