News Release

Every Kid Outdoors Initiative Launched

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News Release Date: September 19, 2019

Contact: Lynn Cullivan, 14155617006

Fourth grade students can get a free annual pass through the Every Kid Outdoors Program to visit San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, plus more than 2,000 other federal recreation areas across the United States. The Every Kid Outdoors Program is an interagency collaboration between the Department of the Interior, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S. Forest Service that provides fourth graders with free access to explore, learn, and recreate in spectacular settings, including national parks, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, and forests, along with their families, classmates, and friends.

The program focuses on children ten years of age (the age of most fourth graders) and is based on research that indicates such children are at a unique developmental stage in their learning where they are more receptive to engaging with nature and the environment. By focusing on this age group year after year, the program aims to ensure every child in the United States has the opportunity to visit their national parks by the time he or she is eleven years old, thereby establishing a lifelong connection to enjoy and protect our American outdoor heritage.

To obtain the free pass, fourth grade students can visit the Every Kid Outdoors website, participate in a short educational activity, and download and print a paper voucher. The voucher is valid for multiple uses between Sept. 1, 2019 and Aug. 31, 2020. The voucher may also be exchanged for a durable pass at the fee booth on Hyde Street Pier (open daily from 9:30am-4:30pm), as well as at other sites.

The voucher or pass grants free entry for fourth graders, all other children under 16 in the group, and up to three accompanying adults to the historic ships on Hyde Street Pier. (Admission to the park’s Visitor Center and Maritime Museum is always free for all visitors.) The pass is non-transferable, and the fourth grade passholder must be present for the pass to be honored. We hope to see your family at San Francisco Maritime soon!

The pass also offers free admission at most federally managed lands and waters across the country. Drive-in sites allow everyone traveling in the same vehicle with the passholder to enter for free.

National Parks are great classrooms! San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park offers a free, curriculum-based, ranger-led field trip especially for 4^th grade classes. The program is called “Vessels and their Vocations.” During this field trip, all students will receive their Every Kid Outdoors pass. For field trip reservations, teachers may contact Catelyn Kindred at [e-mail] or 415-292-6664.

Fourth grade educators are encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of educational programs and tools associated with the Every Kid Outdoors Program. Educational activities, field trip options, information and tools in English and Spanish, and the ability to print vouchers for passes for students are all available on the website.

Located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park includes a fleet of historic ships, Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and the Aquatic Park Historic District. For more information, please call 415-447-5000 or visit nps.gov/safr, Twitter @SFMaritimeNPS, and Facebook @SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP. The Park offers assisted listening services on request. Sign Language interpreter services need to be requested at least five days in advance. Contact Accessibility Coordinator/Chief of Interpretation for more information at 415-859-6797, or e-mail us.