Sedona AZ (September 10, 2016) – Concessionaires of the Coconino National Forest will accept 4th grade passes, from the Every Kid in a Park program, for fees associated with the many recreation sites and amenities they manage until Dec. 31, 2016.
As part of this nationwide Every Kid in a Park initiative, which began in September 2015, all federal land managing agencies are continuing the 4th Grade Pass program for the 2016 school year. This program will provide 4th grade students and their families, free access to Forest Service standard amenity recreation sites, national parks and other Federal recreational lands for one year.
The Every Kid in a Park initiative targets 4th grade students because research shows that children between the ages of 9 and 11 are at a unique developmental stage in their learning when they begin to understand how the world around them works in more concrete ways. By exposing them to our great outdoors during this time in their lives, they are more likely to develop positive attitudes towards nature, the environment and culture as they grow into the next generation of stewards.
These Coconino NF fee area sites include Palatki, Honanki, V Bar V Cultural sites, multiple trailheads and recreation sites managed by the forest and the concession contracted sites of Grasshopper Point, Crescent Moon Ranch and West Fork (Call o’ the Canyon).
“Kids are literally the future of outdoor recreation,” said Warren Meyer, Recreation Resource Management. “We are thrilled as a company to participate in this nationwide program to bring kids into the outdoors as well as to give back to the families and Sedona visitors that have been so good to us over the years.”
The Every Kid in a Park pass admits the fourth grader and any accompanying passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner, all the kids and up to three accompanying adults at sites that charge per person. If the child and his or her family are riding bicycles, up to three adults are included. Please note that fourth graders must be present at entry when using the pass.