We love this great video from Congresswoman Katie Porter, who shares with her rising fourth grader, Betsy, that they’re going on a vacation to a surprise destination: Zion National Park! Thanks to the Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) program, all fourth graders – including Betsy – and their families get FREE entry to any national park for an entire year. As Rep. Porter proves, it’s a great incentive to plan a family trip to explore the outdoors.
After a year spent inside quarantining, kids, youth and families need access to the outdoors more than ever, and the Every Kid Outdoors program is helping to make it possible. Entrance fees to national parks can be pretty expensive, so the pass is a great perk that helps families of all backgrounds to visit their public lands and waters.
Every Kid Outdoors is an amazing program, and that’s why OAK has been working to expand its reach by asking Congress to fund the Every Kid Outdoors program at $25 million. Investing in EKO now will support program staffing for park agencies and youth-serving nonprofits and would subsidize the high costs for transporting students (especially those from low-income and disabled communities) to public lands and waters.
Congresswoman Katie Porter agrees with us, and along with EKO champions Congressman Joe Neguse and Congresswoman Diana DeGette, sent a letter to their colleagues in Congress asking for full funding for the Every Kid Outdoors program. Check out the letter here!
Have an amazing time at Zion National Park, Congresswoman Porter, Betsy, and family! Thanks for being an incredible advocate for Every Kid Outdoors.
Outdoors Alliance for Kids 