A Free Pass To Federal Parks

Yosemite, CA — A simple task will get some kids into federal parks at no cost to their parents.

It is part of President Obama’s Every Kid in a Park program, which provides a free yearlong pass for fourth grade students and their families to visit more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks like Yosemite.

Kids can go to the website and follow the prompts; once the task is completed, they will print out a voucher. Yosemite spokesperson Ashley Mayer shares, “They [kids] bring that voucher to one of our entrance stations and they will be given a pass.”

The Stanislaus National Forest (STF) is also participating in the program. Kids can take their printed vouchers to get a pass at these district offices: Calaveras, Groveland,  Mi-Wok and Summit Ranger District  or the STF Supervisor’s Office. For more information, please call Robin Patterson at 209-962-7825 ext. 515 or email robinpatterson@fs.fed.us.

“A primary focus of the National Park Service’s Centennial celebration is to connect young people with national parks and engage the next generation of stewards for America’s treasured places,” stated Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher. “We are excited about this opportunity for students and their families to come to Yosemite and experience their national park.”

Once a student has the pass it is valid for multiple uses at the same or other national parks across the nation from September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016. Additionally, teachers are also able to go to the website and make it a class project or field trip.