Calling all fourth-graders! This year's Every Kid Outdoors program is underway and the US Forest Service 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 Kids Outdoors public lands pass.
It's also not too late 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 their 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 September 1st the year they enter fourth grade and are valid through August 31st the following year.
In addition to free access to thousands of sites managed by federal agencies across the nation, Every Kids Outdoors pass holders are also eligible for a free permit to cut their own Christmas tree on a National Forest.
Signing up for an Every Kid Outdoors pass is easy. Visit the Every Kid Outdoors website and follow the instructions to register. Educators can also 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 after the request is approved, visit "recreation.gov" and look for National Forests offering permits.