The Every Kid Outdoors (formerly Every Kid in a Park) program has been near and dear to my heart since the inception in 2015. Through this program 4th graders throughout the US can obtain a National Parks pass for free that will cover entry fees for themselves and up to three accompanying adults for National Parks and Monuments that charge per person, or for their entire car when fees are charged per car. The program runs each year from September 1 – August 31 to fall in line with a typical school year. Passes can be printed online by students, parents and educators. Students can even exchange the paper pass at certain parks for a plastic card that may be easier to keep track of when kept in Mom or Dad’s wallet.
There’s no better time to enhance their education beyond the classroom. 4th grader or not, take advantage of the educational programs offered by the National Parks and turn them into what the park service has referred to for years as “America’s Greatest Classroom.” Did you know that most of the National Parks and Monuments offer lesson plans and curriculum based on grade level (not just for 4th grade) that you can download from their website?
There are also field trip itineraries available, onsite ranger led programs, self guided field trips and virtual field trip itineraries.
Imagine bringing their classroom (or zoom) lessons to life by taking a day trip from Coastal Virginia down to the Wright Brothers Memorial for a lesson plan on the Pythagorean Theorem?
A road trip out to Skyline drive offers curriculum for Kindergarten all the way through 12th grade and covers Science, Literacy, Language Arts, Math and Social Studies.
Will this be the school year you decide, as a family, to explore beyond their classroom? I’d love to help you plan!