The Tongass National Forest is handing out free Every Kid in a Park passes, but one has to be in fourth grade to get one. Passes allow the holder plus three others to use some public facilities that require a fee payment, like Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Every Kid in a Park program encourages fourth graders to visit their National Parks and Forests with this free pass.
The Mendenhall Glacier staff has distributed almost 400 passes to fourth graders. Rosary Lombardo, Forest Service ranger at the Visitor Center, visited almost all the fourth grade classrooms in Juneau.
“Even though all the schools are located within 15 miles of the glacier, it’s surprising how many kids didn’t raise their hands when asked, ‘Have you ever been to Mendenhall Glacier?’”Lomardo said. “We hope this pass encourages kids and their families to get outdoors and explore their public lands.”
For more information phone Nikki Hinds, assistant visitor center director, at 789-6636 or email nahinds@fs.fed.us The Every Kid in a Park website is at everykidinapark.gov.
