Photo from Media File.
Fourth grade is such a pivotal year for kids. They’re out of the lower grades, and get to have more responsibilities and expectations from home and school. Really though, adults still look at them as children. Well, here’s a deal for fourth graders caught in the middle that’s just right for them.
Did you know fourth graders can get into any National Park absolutely FREE for a whole year? With the United States Government’s program, Every Kid Outdoors they can along with the whole family.
According to the government site, “Every Kid Outdoors was created so fourth graders and their families could discover our wildlife, resources, and history for free.”
Not only National Parks but any desired destination under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. Click here for specific locations.
How it Works
Fourth graders fill out a diary entry of what they’d like to see and do, right here. They will be taken through some options to help them decide which national destination they’d like to visit.
Once your fourth grader has decided on their destination (National Park, U.S. Forest, etc.) they’ll need to print a pass and bring it with them when they visit. Electronic copies aren’t accepted. The pass has a unique code, which can’t be copied.
Get this though, the pass is good for your fourth grader, up to three adults, and all kids under 16 if the site you visit charges for a single person. If the site you visit charges based on carload, everybody you can fit into your vehicle gets in no matter their age.
Repeat this process throughout your child’s fourth grade year. Within the Every Kid Outdoors programs, 4th grade is generally counted from August of one year to the next, for example, August 31, 2024 – August 31, 2025. If a child states that they’re in 4th grade on the website, they qualify. There’s no submittal from their school or even listing your child’s school name.
Read the Rules & Limitations
The website is still issuing passes for the 2023-2024 school year at this time, but should be changing to the 2024-2025 school year soon. Our government will continue to fund this program through 2026. Here are the rules and limitations.
Every Kid Outdoors is helping families have fun at our country’s gorgeous National Parks and other intriguing destinations for FREE this year. There’s no limit on fun!
