Calling all families with fourth graders.
This is the year to get outside and go on some adventures.
Starting September 1, you can download your Every Kid in a Park pass to get access to more than 2,000 federal lands, which include national parks, national forests, grasslands, prairies, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, recreation areas, rivers, lakes, streams, mountains and more.
What is Every Kid in a Park?
Last year, President Obama created the Every Kid in a Park initiative so that every child in fourth grade and their families could have the opportunity to discover America's wildlife, resources and history for free.
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Awesome. But, why?
It was started to ensure that every American has the chance to visit and enjoy our unique outdoor spaces.
More than that, connecting kids with the outdoors and creating a love for it is a way to build the next generation of outdoor stewards of federal lands and waters.
The initiative will continue with each year's group of fourth graders.
5 places to use the pass in Arizona
If traveling the country isn't an option for you, there are plenty of places in Arizona to use your free pass.
Saguaro National Park, both east and west, is right in Tucson and has tons of opportunities for hiking and looking at native flora and fauna.
Looking north from Signal Hill in Saguaro National Park, west of Tucson. Even with its proximity to the city, the park is designated as “wilderness” by the federal government.
Tumacacori National Historic Park is about an hour's drive from Tucson, near Tubac. You'll see abandoned ruins of three ancient Spanish colonial missions, visit an orchard and courtyard garden and learn about the people, places and stories of Tumacacori's past. While you're there, you can hike the Anza Trail, which is between Tumacacori and Tubac.
The Chiricahua National Monument is about a two hour drive from Tucson. There's lots to do: picnicking, birding, camping and hiking. Take the Bonita Canyon scenic drive, which is an 8 mile paved drive through oak, cypress and pine forests and ending at Massai Point. From there you'll have a great view, access to hiking trails and campgrounds.
Montezuma Castle National Monument is a three hour drive from Tucson. It's 20-room high rise apartment built right into a big limestone cliff. You'll get to learn about the Sinagua culture that lived there. The kids can pick up a Junior Ranger Workbook for free at the visitor center. If they complete the activities in the book and reciete the Junior Ranger Pledge, they'll be awarded a badge that identifies them as official Junior Rangers for both Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments.
Walnut Canyon National Monument is about a four hour drive from Tucson, in Flagstaff. Along the hiking trails in the canyon, you'll visit actual pueblos and walk in the steps who lived there before. While you're there, explore Flagstaff. It's a nice break from the desert.
How do I sign my kid up?
To get their personalized pass, have your child go online to participate in a fun, educational activity on the Every Kid in a Park website. They'll be able to print a paper pass to bring with them to visit public lands. At some sites, you can exchange the paper pass for a plastic one.
Fourth graders must be present for free entry into parks and to exchange the paper pass for a plastic one. Passes are valid from September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2017.
The pass admits the fourth grader and any accompanying passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to three accompanying adults at sites that charge per person.
Supporting organizations
Ever Kid in a Park is supported by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Ary Corps of Engineers.
