4th Graders Can Get a Free Pass to National Parks for the Whole Family
If you have a child in 4th grade, your entire family is eligible for free national parks this school year through the Every Child in the Open Air program.
The pass allows all children and adults in your vehicle. If you come by bike, then all children under 16 and up to three adults are allowed there. Unlike annual passes, it expires at the end of the school year on August 31, 2020.
To get it, you just need to go to this government site . Grade 4 students can obtain a paper print pass by answering two multiple choice questions about what they want to do in national parks and entering their zip code. Educators can also apply for paper passes for everyone in their class.
I, not a 4th grade student, passed the test and it took me about 20 seconds to get my pass.
The deal is good for anyone in 4th grade, even if you are homeschooled.
Why fourth graders? The website says: “We chose fourth graders because research shows that children between the ages of 9 and 11 begin to learn about the world around them. They are open to new ideas and are probably related to nature and our history. Every year we offer a pass to the fourth graders. Over time, each child can get a free pass to get to know our country. “
So, if you have a younger child at home, remember this when you come to 4th grade.
Digital passes are not accepted at parks, so you will need to print them out. Each pass also has its own unique code, so every fourth grader should apply for their own rather than copying it and sharing it with the masses.
The site notes that on some sites the park ranger will exchange your paper pass for a plastic one; on others, a paper pass will be all you need.
If you need help deciding what to do, the Plan Your Trip tab on the site will help you see what options are available so you can plan the perfect adventure for your family.
And if you don’t have a fourth grader at home but still love the idea of checking out national parks, a national park ticket isn’t really that expensive. Anyone can purchase an annual subscription for $ 80 . Purchased passes can also have two owners, so you can share that (and value) with a neighbor or friend.