John,

I’m writing to you today to tell you about the “Every Kid Outdoors” program. The initiative is a federal program meant to encourage 4th-grade students and their families to experience and enjoy our nation’s public lands and waters.

For the entire year, starting September 1st, 4th-graders can sign up to get their very own Every Kid Outdoors pass. This pass gives children and their families free access to the millions of acres of public lands across the country!

Students who take advantage of the Every Kid Outdoors pass can get free access to Virginia’s own Shenandoah National Park. It is certainly worth a trip to check out some of the rocky hiking trails and stunning overlooks. Or, families can use their pass to travel to our neighboring state of West Virginia and visit one of the parks most recently elevated to the honor of “National Park” — the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve!

Shenandoah National Park in Virginia

Our national parks are American treasures, and getting an opportunity to visit one always reminds me of how important it is to protect our public lands and the hikes and trips I enjoyed as a kid. Generations to come should have the same opportunities we do to enjoy these magnificent places.

If a friend or family member is approaching 4th grade soon, please feel free to share information with them about the Every Kid Outdoors program so they too can have free access to our nation’s national parks. If you want to learn more about the initiative, you can click here.

Whether you are eligible for the program or not, I encourage you to get outdoors as much as possible. Hopefully, we all have the chance to visit a new national park sometime soon!

Best,

Abigail