Calling all fourth graders! This year’s Every Kid Outdoors program is underway, and the Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) wants to make sure all eligible fourth graders (and their parents and educators) know that it’s not too late to request their free Every Kid Outdoors public lands pass, or to get a complimentary permit to cut their own Christmas tree on a National Forest this holiday season.
The Every Kid Outdoors program provides fourth-grade students and accompanying family members free entry to federally-managed public lands, water sites, recreation areas and historical sites across the United States. Students are encouraged to sign up early in the school year. Passes can be issued beginning Sept. 1 the year they enter fourth grade and are valid through August 31 the following year.
In addition to free access to thousands of sites managed by federal agencies across the nation, Every Kid Outdoors pass holders are also eligible for a free permit to cut their own Christmas tree on a National Forest.
Research shows children ages nine to 11 are beginning to learn about the world around them.
The Every Kid Outdoors Program provides no-cost access to millions of acres of federally managed lands and water recreation sites for fourth graders and their families, encouraging them to explore, make long-lasting memories in nature, and inspiring them to help care for and protect our public lands.
Passes can be used at any federally-managed location that other national recreation passes, such as the America the Beautiful pass, can be used.
Signing up for an Every Kid Outdoors pass is easy!
- If you’re a fourth-grade student, ask an adult for help. Then visit the Every Kid Outdoors website and follow the instructions to register.
- Educators can request passes for each of their fourth-grade students – visit the Every Kid Outdoors educator’s page to submit a request.
To access the free Christmas Tree cutting permit:
Visit the IPNF’s Christmas tree permit page on Recreation.gov. Enter the number from your Every Kid Outdoors plastic pass or paper voucher when making the purchase, and the cost of the permit will be waived at checkout (a $2.50 reservation fee will still apply).
Students can also use their Every Kid Outdoors passes to claim their free Christmas Tree permit at participating National Forest visitor centers or Ranger Stations, but vouchers cannot be used to claim a free pass from partnering retail locations.