Free 2015 Christmas tree permits for fourth graders through "Every Kid in a Park" Initiative

November 9, 2015

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests is announcing that all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit through the new White House initiative "Every Kid in a Park".  "Every Kid in a Park" is a nationwide call to action to inspire every young person across the country to visit our national parks, forests, public lands and waters. As part of the initiative, all fourth graders are eligible to receive a pass that allows free access to federal lands and waters across the country for a full year. In support of this initiative, the Forest Service will make available a free Christmas tree permit to every interested fourth-grader with a 4th Grade "Every Kid in the Park" Pass or paper voucher. Christmas tree permits are available on a first-come, first served basis while supplies last. Instructions on how to obtain a pass or voucher and collect a free tree permit: · In order for students to receive a free tree permit, they must present a valid paper voucher printed from the "Every Kid in a Park" website: https://everykidinapark.gov/. · Visit the website and follow the instructions on the website to obtain the paper voucher. · Print out the paper voucher. · Bring paper voucher with you to a permit sale location (district offices or the supervisor’s office) on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests to claim the free permit. · The 4th grader and an adult must present the voucher in person at an office location. Only one free tree permit is allowed per fourth-grader. Please visit the following website for more information on U.S. Forest Service events and activities for Every Kid in a Park: http://www.fs.fed.us/rmrs-beta/events/every-kid-park. "Every Kid in a Park" is an Administration-wide effort among the National Park Service, Forest Service, Department of Education, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Today, more than 80 percent of American families live in urban areas, and many lack easy access to safe outdoor spaces. At the same time, kids are spending more hours than ever in front of screens instead of outside. The "Every Kid in a Park" initiative encourages valuable opportunities to explore, learn, and play in the spectacular places that belong to us all and aims to inspire stewardship of these places for future generations. As of September 1, 2015, fourth graders (including home-schooled students) can obtain a paper pass for free entry into all federal lands and waters by visiting the Every Kid in a Park website at www.everykidinapark.gov. Students participate in an educational activity and receive a paper pass to print and bring with them to visit public lands. At certain participating sites, fourth graders can exchange the paper pass for a durable plastic Interagency Annual 4th Grade Pass. Fourth graders must be present for free entry into parks and to exchange the paper pass for a plastic pass. The fourth-grader can use either the paper pass or the durable pass for fee-free entry for them and their family, and both are valid from September 1, 2015, through August 31, 2016. Please note that fourth graders must be present at entry.