Natasha Blakely, natasha.blakely@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Beginning September, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) is launching its Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Month of Action. From September 3 to October 5, OAK members are organizing a range of events and actions to spread awareness and advocate for the Every Kid Outdoors program.
The Every Kid Outdoors program grants all fourth graders and their families free access to federal public lands, waters and shores for a year. Since its inception in 2015, the program has helped 1,105,805 students experience and enjoy nature. A new cohort is able to pick up their passes starting September 1.
“Research consistently shows a strong link between children's access to nature and improved physical health, mental well-being and academic performance. The federal Every Kid Outdoors program increases access to America's national parks, lands and waterways, fostering a deeper connection to nature and its many benefits for all. We look forward to seeing this program grow and create even more opportunities for children and youth to learn and engage with the outdoors in their communities and beyond,” said David Beard, Children & Nature Network Director of Policy & Government Affairs.
“The Outdoor Foundation envisions a world where everyone Thrives Outside, and we know that starts with early exposures to nature and outdoor recreation. Every Kid Outdoors Month of Action is an exciting opportunity to showcase the incredible benefits of this program for children and families. For nearly a decade, the Every Kid Outdoors program has opened doors to our nation's natural treasures, enriching young lives and strengthening community ties. We are thrilled to support this initiative and call on everyone to join us in celebrating and advocating for its continuation, ensuring that future generations also experience the profound joys and benefits of connecting with nature,” said Lesford Duncan, Executive Director of the Outdoor Foundation.
The EKO program is scheduled to sunset in 2026 unless Congress passes the EXPLORE Act, an outdoor recreation package that would extend the program for seven more years. That’s why, leading up to National Public Lands Day on September 28 and beyond, the EKO Month of Action will be packed with activities for kids, families, and advocates to participate in and show support for EKO.
“The Outdoors Alliance for Kids has championed this program from the beginning. Over the years we’ve been able to see the impact that it’s had on hundreds of thousands of kids each year, giving families a reason and avenue to visit our public lands, waters and shores, and encouraging new generations of healthy kids. It’s a critical program that provides an invitation for families to connect with nature while serving as an economic driver for communities, and OAK is eager to see it continue,” said Julia Hurwit, Outdoor Alliance for Kids Campaign Manager.
“The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) applauds the incredible impact of the Every Kid Outdoors Program and is eager for Congress to pass the EXPLORE Act to protect this vital program and enshrine equitable access to our National Parks for hundreds of thousands of fourth graders and their families for generations to come,” said Sarah Bodor, Senior Director of Capacity Building for NAAEE.
Outings will be organized by OAK members across the nation with the goal of getting the latest cohort of fourth graders their passes, including during an anchor event in Washington, D.C. on September 24, a youth lobby day on September 18, various National Public Lands Day events in places including Detroit and Atlanta, and more. All of this is accompanied by educational materials shared widely by OAK members through their channels.
“At NatureBridge, we understand the incredible benefits of getting our young people into the outdoors for immersive experiences and that establish deeper connections with nature and environmental education. The developmental impact of outdoor programs and access to outdoor spaces on students, both academically and socially, are fundamental to our work as educators,” said Phillip Kilbridge, NatureBridge President & CEO.
“The Discover the Forest-Descubre el Bosque program proudly supports the Every Kid Outdoors initiative, sharing the Outdoors Alliance for Kids’ mission to increase access and visitation to public lands. By granting every fourth grader and their family free access to federal public lands, this program provides invaluable opportunities for families to connect with nature and each other. Initiatives like Every Kid Outdoors foster lifelong connections with the outdoors and encourage meaningful learning experiences in our nation’s forests, grasslands, and beyond,” said Emily Van Laan, Manager of Discover the Forest, a project of NAAEE and the U.S. Forest Service.
Parents and guardians of incoming fourth graders can download and print their paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov and exchange it in person for their pass.
To learn more about EKO Month of Action and ways that you can support and participate, visit https://outdoorsallianceforkids.org/eko-month-action/.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.