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Contact: David Elkowitz, 432-477-1108 Big Bend National Park invites all 4th grade students to visit the park for free as part of the White House's new Every Kid in a Park program. Starting September 1, 4th grade students can now go to www.everykidoutdoors.gov to complete an activity and obtain a free annual entry pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks. "We're offering a special invitation to fourth graders and their families to discover not only Big Bend National Park, but all our national parks. During the National Park Service's 2016 Centennial celebration, we want everyone to get out and explore these national treasures," said Superintendent Cindy Ott-Jones. "We hope these free passes will introduce 4th graders, their classes, and families to places where they can explore, play, and learn.
" At Big Bend National Park, fourth graders and their families can participate in a number of activities and programs. Throughout the year, ranger-led programs highlight the park's natural and cultural resources. Children can also earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing an activity booklet.The park has many family-friendly hiking trails, campgrounds, and backcountry camping sites.A schedule of special activities and events is being developed to celebrate the 2016 Centennial.
To receive their free pass for national parks, fourth graders can visit the Every Kid in a Park website and play a game to access their special Every Kid in a Park pass. Fourth graders and their families can then use this pass for free entry to national parks and other federal public lands and waters across the country from September 1, 2015, through August 31, 2016.The website also includes fun and engaging learning activities aligned to educational standards, trip planning tools, safety and packing tips, and other important and helpful information for educators and parents.
In addition to providing every fourth grader in America a free entry pass for national parks and federal public lands and waters, fourth grade educators, youth group leaders, and their students across the country will also participate in the program through field trips and other learning experiences.
The goal of the Every Kid in a Park program is to connect 4th graders with the great outdoors and inspire them to become future environmental stewards, ready to preserve and protect national parks and other public lands for years to come.The program is an important part of the National Park Service's centennial celebration in 2016, which encourages everyone to Find Your Park.
Every Kid in a Park is an administrative-wide effort, launched by President Obama, and supported by eight federal agencies, including the National Park Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Education, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 407 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice. |
Last updated: November 6, 2020