Every Kid Outdoor passes available free to local fourth graders

SILVER CITY, NM, September 28, 2023 – The Gila National Forest has received a supply of 2023/2024 Every Kid Outdoors national public lands passes for distribution to fourth grade students. The pass covers entrance or day use fees at federal recreation sites.

“No matter where you live, all Americans are within two hours of a federal recreation site waiting to be discovered,” said Gila National Forest Supervisor Camille Howes. “This pass program was created so that fourth graders and their families could discover our nation’s wildlife, resources, and history with free access. It helps connect youth with the public lands in their back yards, developing the next generation of public land stewards.”

It’s easy for fourth graders, their parents, or teachers to get a voucher online at Every Kid Outdoors. Every Kid Outdoors. Simply visit the website, complete an online activity, and download and print a personalized paper voucher. Be sure to bring the voucher along with you when you visit public lands. You can also stop by any Gila National Forest office to trade in your voucher for a more durable plastic pass. Vouchers and passes are valid September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024.

Research on pass participants has found that 73% would never have visited a national park without the free access provided by the Every Kid Outdoors pass. It has also shown that participants are more likely to be lifelong public land visitors if they experience parks with their family or school at age 10. For the 2021/2022 school year, nearly 940,000 vouchers were requested through  everykidoutdoors.gov . For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov.