ACOE Expands Every Kid Outdoors Recreation Pass

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today it will temporarily expand the Every Kid Outdoors recreation pass to include 5^th grade students for the 2020-2021 academic year. This change will ensure that 5^th grade students who may not have been able to make full use of the Every Kid Outdoors Annual 4^th Grade Pass during the 2019-2020 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have a chance to do so during the current academic year through Aug. 31, 2021.

Fifth grade students (including home-schooled and free-choice learners) can visit the National Park Service website to obtain and print a paper voucher. Students should present the paper voucher at federal locations that charge a per-person entrance fee, a standard amenity fee, or day use recreation fee. The voucher admits the student, as well as traveling companions who are occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle or the student and three persons (16 and older) where per person fees are charged. Electronic versions of paper vouchers will not be accepted. The paper voucher cannot be exchanged for the physical Every Kid Outdoors Annual 4^th Grade Pass. The voucher does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Facilities and activities on federal recreation lands managed by private concessionaires are also not covered by the voucher.

“Today, I directed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement the Interagency Pass Program at USACE-managed recreation areas to provide free access to 5^th graders. We fully support the decision to expand free access in this manner to ensure that the intent of the Every Kid Outdoors program is met. USACE participation will provide an opportunity for 5^th graders to take advantage of the program when they may not have been able to enjoy the use of USACE recreation areas as a result of the pandemic,” said The Honorable R. D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.

A primary goal of the Every Kid Outdoors program is to bridge the growing disconnect between the next generation and the great outdoors, and to inspire children to become future stewards of our nation’s natural and historic treasures.