Secretary Zinke Expected to Sign Off On Another Year of Every Kid in a Park Program

Washington, DC – After three years of providing school-aged children opportunities to enjoy America’s national parks, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is expected to renew the Every Kid in a Park program for another year and make new passes available starting on September 1, 2018. As a way to engage and provide more opportunities for America’s youth to enjoy the outdoors, President Obama launched the Every Kid in a Park initiative in 2015, providing every fourth grade student and their families with free admission to national parks and other public lands and waters across the country for a full year.

Today’s announcement comes after multiple reports of Secretary Zinke’s plan to cancel the Every Kid in a Park program.

Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association

“Since the Every Kid in a Park program began, fourth graders and their families across the country have downloaded passes to visit America’s national parks. We applaud the continuation of the program that has provided so many families and schools with access to America’s natural wonders. Thanks to the millions of Americans who spoke out in support of the program, these passes will continue to help support businesses in gateway communities and families share invaluable park experiences that will last a lifetime.”

###

About National Parks Conservation Association Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its 1.3 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.