With the backing of President Obama, the National Park Foundation has launched a new program encouraging kids to get outside to play, learn and explore. The initiative, Every Kid in a Park, seeks to connect 4 million fourth graders and their families to enjoy America’s public lands and waters.
In their campaign message, they put the onus on adults by reminding them that—via our tax dollars—we actually own the public lands; that is, the millions of acres of national parks, historic buildings, cultural artifacts, long-standing forests and expansive mountains ranges.
The programs’ first and foremost goal is to provide an opportunity all fourth graders to visit public lands throughout the 2015-2016 school year. Each child will be given a Every Kid in a Park pass, which gives them and their families free access to national parks, forests and wildlife refuges.