Dear Friend,

With summer fast approaching, it’s the time of year for family vacations and fun in the sun. In 2020, I was proud to support the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, which expanded the experiences of youth and families who visit national parks. But, it falls short in making sure every American can appreciate our public lands. For far too many families, the high cost keeps them from enjoying our national parks.

That’s where the Every Kid Outdoors program comes in. Since 2015, Every Kid Outdoors has offered passes to all fourth graders and their families. The passes give free access to all national parks, public lands, and public waters, making sure that every fourth grader, regardless of economic circumstance, has the opportunity to build a direct connection with nature.

I’m writing to ask that you please share information about this free, federal program, Every Kid Outdoors, with all fourth graders and their families in your school. I would appreciate your including a note in electronic newsletters or posting this letter to class message boards. My congressional office is also happy to send a representative to speak to your fourth-grade classroom, either this spring or next fall. 

My daughter, Betsy, loved getting her pass online, planning trips, and then visiting Death Valley National Park. She is now collecting park stamps, and we are planning a summer visit to Larsen National Park. 

Since I first was elected to Congress, I have made it a top priority to support Every Kid Outdoors. I successfully pushed for a stronger investment into this amazing program. This year, I’ve requested $25 million for Every Kid Outdoors. This funding would help more than one million children visit our beautiful national parks each year, and it would expand accessibility to national parks with outreach and programs for young people with disabilities. 

As your member of Congress, I am continuing to protect our public lands and connect more Americans to our national parks. To learn more about the Every Kid Outdoors program, please visit the Every Kid Outdoors webpage at the QR code below or go to everykidoutdoors.gov.

Very Truly Yours,

Representative Katie Porter