Date: November 23, 2016
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) 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 federally managed lands and waters. Visit www.EveryKidinaPark.gov to download the pass and obtain more information.
The National Lakeshore was selected to receive a 2016-2017 field trip grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America’s national parks, and the North Face Explore Fund to support the Every Kid in a Park program. The grant is part of the NPF’s Open OutDoors for Kids program. The National Lakeshore will be offering personalized snowshoe field trips for fourth grade classes in the months of January, February, and March. Learn about winter ecology and snow science in a hands-on, experiential format while hiking on snowshoes through the National Lakeshore.
The pre and post-visit activities developed for teachers to use with students help build background knowledge and create excitement for the hike. The lesson during the hike will allow students to explore concepts in winter ecology and snow science. The post-visit activities are designed to extend learning and to give students the opportunity to be creative and to connect learning to the real world. Lessons are designed to work together, yet can be used in a mix and match way based on student interest and needs.
The snowshoe program is currently open to fourth grade classes. We are scheduling reservations on a first-come, first-served basis. The funding covers transportation costs only. By applying for a field trip, you agree to do pre-visit activities in your classroom, attend the onsite ranger-led snowshoe hike, complete a post visit wrap-up activity, and provide feedback about your experience.
For additional information on how to apply, program objectives, and to access the pre and post-hike activities, go to https://www.nps.gov/teachers/classrooms/snowshoe-hikes.htm. For questions about transportation payment/reimbursement, trip details, or activities, please call park rangers at (231) 326-4736, or send an email to SLBE_Education@nps.gov.
“These grants are planting the seeds for lifelong relationships with national parks and their programs,” said Will Shafroth, NPF President. “By providing access to transformative experiences like listening to the sound of birds chirping, walking the halls of a school that tell a civil rights story, looking up at a dark night sky, or pitching a tent with a friend for the first time, these children are forever impacted. We appreciate the power of national parks and, through our support, the National Park Foundation hopes to share them with as many kids as possible.”
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.
