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Contact: Yvonne Menard, 805-658-5736
This school year nearly every fourth grader in Ventura County will have the opportunity for a free field trip to Channel Islands National Park as part of the Every Kid in a Park initiative. On Wednesday, October 12, 2016, several fourth grade classes from Rio Rosales School in Oxnard will participate in the Every Kid in a Park initiative by attending a kick off field trip event at the park visitor center. The free field trips to the park are provided courtesy of transportation grants from the National Park Trust, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Ernest F. Hollings Ocean Awareness Trust Fund, and the National Park Foundation. "We are excited about the opportunity to connect thousands of Ventura County fourth graders to Channel Islands National Park in support of the President's Every Kid in a Park initiative," said, Grace Lee, National Park Trust Executive Director. "The generous gift from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will help us provide the school buses needed to transport the students and their teachers to the park visitor center." During the field trip, students will become official Junior Rangers, attend a ranger-led program, and receive their free annual Every Kid in a Park pass. The pass grants the students and their families free entry to more than 2,000 public lands and waters including national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and marine sanctuaries from now through August 31, 2017. Ventura County public school fourth grade teachers are encouraged to sign up for the free field trips to the Channel Islands National Park Lagomarsino Visitor Center as soon as possible. As part of the grant, the fourth grade teachers are also invited to attend a free Multicultural Education for Resources Issues Threatening Oceans (MERITO) Workshop on Saturday, November 12th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the park visitor center auditorium. Every Kid in a Park is part of President Obama's commitment to protect our nation's unique outdoor spaces and ensure that every American has the opportunity to visit and enjoy them. The program, now entering its second year, has an expanded website with links to educational activities, trip planning, field trip options, the downloadable pass, and additional information in both English and Spanish. About the National Park Foundation The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park stewards. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at nationalparks.org. About the National Park Trust The National Park Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of our nation's critical parks and public lands and the engagement of our youth –especially those who are underserved –with nature. To learn more visit National Park Trust. About the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Ernest F. Hollings Ocean Awareness Trust Fund The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation established the Ernest F. Hollings Ocean Awareness Trust in 2005 to increase ocean awareness and stewardship through innovative programs, partnerships, and initiatives. The grant honors former U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings for his role as a lifelong ocean advocate. For more information visit National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. About Every Kid in a Park President Barack Obama created Every Kid in a Park so fourth graders and their families could discover our nation's wildlife, resources, and history for free. Any fourth graders can get their pass online at Every Kid in a Park after they complete a fun educational activity. They can trade the paper pass for a more durable pass at participating federal sites nationwide. Follow the program on Twitter @everykidinapark, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube To schedule a 4th grade field trip contact e-mail us 805-658-5727 For information on the park's education program contact e-mail us 805-658-5735 |
Last updated: October 11, 2016