National Program Extends to Maryland State Parks
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources once again is partnering with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Every Kid in a Park program, which provides fourth-grade children and their families free admission to Maryland state parks along with national parks and other federal lands across the country.
The purpose of the Every Kid in a Park effort is to increase accessibility to public lands and waters for children at an ideal age – primarily 9-10 years of age – to capture their interest, curiosity, and love for the outdoors throughout their lives. The Maryland Park Service will accept this year’s Every Kid in a Park pass now through August 31, 2018 at all 72 state parks. The pass is also valid at 16 national parks, six national natural landmarks, five national wildlife refuges and two federal heritage areas in Maryland.
“The Maryland Department of Natural Resources shares the U.S. Department of the Interior’s commitment to connect and nurture the next generation of advocates, supporters and visitors to our parks,” said Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton. “Maryland is home to many national natural spaces and landmarks as well, making the Every Kid in a Park program such a great opportunity. As living classrooms, these outdoor spaces and historic sites also provide hands-on, real world opportunities to develop critical skills and learn about the natural world.”
Providing this access to parks is part of the department’s commitment to the goals of Governor Larry Hogan’s Project Green Classrooms initiative. Project Green Classrooms works across disciplines in the public and private sector to promote outdoor learning, discovery, healthy play and career exploration in Maryland; mobilizing resources to ensure that Maryland’s youth experience, understand and learn to conserve the natural environment.
The Every Kid in a Park pass covers admission but does not cover additional amenities, such as camping, boat rentals or staff-led tours. To access and print a pass for this year, children and their parents should visit the U.S. Department of Interior’s Every Kid in a Park website.
