Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Eldorado National Forest and Tahoe National Forest are participating in the Every Kid in a Park program.

Fourth-graders nationwide can visit the new Every Kid in a Park website to obtain a pass that provides free access to students and their families to all federally-managed lands and waters – including national forests, grasslands, wildlife refuges and waters. The pass is valid for the 2015-16 school year and grants free entry for fourth-graders and three accompanying adults (or an entire car for drive-in parks) at more than 2,000 federally-managed sites.

President Obama launched the Every Kid in a Park initiative earlier this year as a call to action to get all children to experience America’s outdoors. Today, more than 80 percent of American families live in urban areas, and many lack easy access to safe outdoor spaces. At the same time, youth spend more hours than ever in front of screens instead of outside.

Fourth-graders may log onto the website to complete an educational activity in order to obtain and print their pass. Students can also trade in their paper pass for an official access card at participating federal sites. Passes are available at national forest offices.

Educators and community leaders may access educational activities, field trip options, and print passes for their classrooms. Parents visiting the website can find additional links for more information on planning trips to nearby public lands.