“Every Kid in a Park” Program Launched at Haleakalā

Photo credit: National Park Service.

By Maui Now Staff

Haleakalā National Park invites all fourth grade students to visit the park for free as part of the White House’s new Every Kid in a Park program.

The program was launched on Sept. 1, 2015 and runs through Aug. 31, 2016.

Under the program, fourth grade students can go online to complete an activity and obtain a free annual entry pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks.

“We hope the free passes will introduce fourth graders, their classes, and families to the national treasures found at Haleakalā, especially as we celebrate the Centennials of both this national park and the National Park Service.” said park superintendent Natalie Gates in a park announcement.

At Haleakalā National Park, fourth graders and their families can enjoy a new Junior Ranger Activity Guide, guided hikes, cultural demonstrations and talks.

Park officials say the goal of Every Kid in a Park is to connect fourth graders with the great outdoors and inspire them to become future environmental stewards, ready to preserve and protect national parks and other public lands for years to come.

Fourth grade is the focus of this initiative because it is the year most school districts study local and state history. The program is also part of the National Park Service’s Centennial celebration in 2016, which encourages everyone to Find Your Park.

In addition to this new fourth grade pass, Haleakalā National Park offers a variety of recently revised curriculum-based activities, lesson plans, and educational fee waivers for other grades and educational groups. For more information, please visit the park’s Education webpage.

Every Kid in a Park, launched by President Obama, is supported by eight federal agencies, including the National Park Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Education, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.