Free Fire Island Lighthouse Tower Tours for Fourth Graders with Every Kid in a Park Pass

Fourth grade students are invited to climb the Fire Island Lighthouse tower free with Every Kid in a Park pass.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: April 28, 2016

Contact: Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, 631-321-7028

Contact: Elizabeth Rogers, 631-687-4766

Patchogue, NY - Fire Island National Seashore Superintendent Chris Soller and Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society (FILPS) President Bob LaRosa are inviting all fourth grade students to climb the Fire Island Lighthouse tower for free as part of the Every Kid in a Park program. Starting this Saturday, April 30, fourth graders can use the Every Kid in a Park pass to climb the tower with one caregiver free of charge.

"The Every Kid in a Park program is a great way to connect kids to national parks and celebrate the National Park Service Centennial," said Superintendent Soller. The goal of the Every Kid in a Park program is to connect fourth graders with public lands and inspire them to become future stewards, ready to 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.

"There is nothing quite like the view from the top of the lighthouse," said FILPS President Bob LaRosa, "it is something every fourth grader should see." Throughout the school year the Seashore and FILPS welcome more than 7,000 fourth graders to learn about the region's rich maritime history and Fire Island National Seashore. FILPS offers tower tours for students and visitors which include a look back at Long Island's rich maritime history, the responsibilities of lighthouse keepers, and an overview of beacon operation today.

The Every Kid in a Park pass provides entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, and is available at www.everykidinapark.gov. Fourth grade students must first complete an online activity to get a paper voucher, which can be traded in at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge and Sagamore Hill National Historic Site for a free plastic "keepsake" pass.

For more information on field trips and Centennial events and programs at the Fire Island Lighthouse and Fire Island National Seashore visit www.nps.gov/FIIS.