National Parks - Free for 4th Grade

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Did you hear about the program that lets kids in 4th grade (and by extension their parents) free into national parks? It is a very little known program that started that showed that kids ages 9 and up start to really get into the world around them.  The pass is free to fourth graders and kids must register online, print it out and bring it to the park of interest - note, if the park charges a per vehicle fee, everyone in the car gets in for free!    Here is the website for more information and the official rules:

Official rules

• The pass is for U.S. fourth-grade (or home-school equivalent) students.
• The pass is for the 2018 to 2019 school year. It expires August 31, 2019.
• Students can't transfer the pass to anyone else.
• We can’t accept electronic versions of this paper for access or to exchange for a pass.
• No refunds are given for previously purchased passes, or if you forget your pass when you visit.
• If you lose your pass, get a new one by visiting the website and signing up again.
• Educators can get one paper pass for each of their fourth-grade students.
• This program only provides passes for fourth graders.

How it works

• Show your pass to a ranger when you enter. If there is no ranger, leave it on the dashboard of your car.
• If you visit a site that charges entrance fees per person— The pass admits all children under 16 and up to three adults for free.
• If your group visits a site that charges vehicle entrance fees - The pass admits all children under 16 and all adults in up to one passenger vehicle. Commercial vehicles can't use a pass to get in.
• If you arrive at a site on bicycle— The pass admits all children under 16 and up to three adults on bicycles.
• The pass doesn't cover things like parking fees, camping, boats, and special tours. Also, some sites are managed by private operators. They may not honor the pass. Check with the site ahead of time to find out.
• The pass doesn’t cover fees for local, city, or state parks and recreation areas unless they say that they accept this pass.
• Paper passes can be exchanged for plastic passes at certain sites.