On National Public Lands Day (NPLD), September 28, all National Parks are free to visit, breaking down an important barrier to accessing nature. Thanks to the Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Program, which provides passes to our federally managed public lands, waters, and shores for fourth graders and their families, fourth graders can explore our National Parks for FREE for an entire year!

The EKO program is at risk of ending. To show why this program is so needed, we want to underscore the transformative impact of establishing an early connection with nature for children.

Join the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) in celebrating NPLD and the month surrounding it by bringing our communities outside and promoting the importance of this program!

1. Sign and circulate the EKO Action Alert urging Congress to pass the Every Kid Outdoors Act
2. Submit a letter to the editor (LTE) to your local paper on the need to get kids outdoors and how the Every Kid Outdoors program is helping to create opportunities for all families to enjoy safe green spaces (LTE template below)
3. Post on social media platforms once a day for our week of action (Sept. 30th - Oct. 4th) and tag @OAK_Updates and use #EveryKidOutdoors
4. Share information about the Every Kid Outdoors program and legislation to your networks, including how to sign up and use the program (blurb below) 

LTE Template: 

(Consider personalizing the LTE with your own story about our public lands and the reasons you care about the program. Your local paper will likely have an email or form for submitting your letter.)

The Every Kid Outdoors program grants all fourth graders and their families free access to federal lands and waters, including our national parks. It’s a critical program that helps instill an early connection to nature in kids, allows them to engage with the history of our lands in a tangible way, and provides young families with affordable vacation opportunities. The program is at risk of ending unless Congress moves to extend it either through the outdoor recreation package or by passing the Every Kid Outdoors Act. 

Add in a personal story here, for example: Two years ago my family went to Yosemite National Park when my eldest was in fourth grade and she still talks about how much fun she had.

The Every Kid Outdoors pass helped my family share a wonderful experience, and it’s an opportunity I hope many other families also receive. I urge [insert your representative’s name] to support the Every Kid Outdoors Act and keep this important program going.

Share information:

This month, celebrate National Public Lands Day by highlighting the Every Kid Outdoors program, a critical program that grants fourth graders nationwide and their families free access to federal public lands and waters. The program is at risk of ending, and we want to underscore the transformative impact of establishing an early connection with nature for children and youth to show why we need this vital program. Join our efforts now by [link to this post, the EKO action alert, or other EKO resources].