Launch of Second Year of Every Kid in a Park Pass

Date: September 15, 2016
Contact: Sue Walter, 520-387-6849 x7301

Organ Pipe Cactus encourages all fourth graders to visit the park for free this year as part of the Every Kid in a Park program. The program gives fourth grade students, and those accompanying them, free access to more than 2,000 public lands and waters nationwide for a year.Visit www.EveryKidinaPark.gov to download the pass and get more information.

"I am looking forward to visiting local schools to present 4^th grade passes to students. The students get so excited to have an opportunity to visit the park in their back yard for free. It is inspiring to see the next generation getting involved in exploring all that the National Park Service has to offer," stated Park Ranger Anna Arsic.

Ranger Anna has scheduled visits to schools in Ajo, Buckeye, Gila Bend and the Tohono O'odham Nation. If anyone is interested in a visit to their school they can call Ranger Anna at 520-387-6849 x 7305 or email [e-mail].

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is located 34 miles south of Ajo, AZ. The Kris Eggle Visitor Center is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Entrance fee is $12.00 or free with the 4^th grade pass. Camping is available at the Twin Peaks Campground, Alamo Canyon Primitive Campground and backcountry camping. Check the website at www.nps.gov/orpi for fees and other recreational activities.

The Every Kid in a Park pass –which features a new design for this year's students –is valid for a full calendar year starting September 1. The pass grants free entry for fourth graders and up to three accompanying adults (or an entire car for drive-in parks) to most federally managed lands and waters, including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries.

The newly expanded Every Kid in a Park website has links to educational activities, trip planning, field trip options, the downloadable pass, and additional information in both English and Spanish. After completing a fun educational activity, the child can download and print a pass. The paper pass can be traded for a more durable pass at participating federal sites nationwide.

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, is a call to action for children to experience America's spectacular outdoors, rich history and culture.

Every Kid in a Park is a crucial component of a multi-pronged approach to inspire the next generation to discover all that our nation's public lands and waters have to offer, including opportunities to be active, spend time with friends and family, and serve as living classrooms to build critical skills.

The Every Kid in a Park program is an Administration-wide effort between the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Army, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The program continues each year with the then-current group of fourth graders. After 12 years, every school-age child in America will have had an opportunity to visit their public land and waters for free, inspiring the next generation to be stewards of our nation's shared natural and cultural heritage.

For more information, please visit www.everykidinapark.gov and follow the program on Twitter @everykidinapark, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. For additional information about Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, please visit https://www.nps.gov/orpi.