President Barack Obama has announced that, starting in September, all 4th grade students and their families will have free access to national parks and other public lands and waters for a year.
The initiative coincides with the 100th birthday of the National Park Service, which takes place in 2016.
In a speech, Mr. Obama said: “We want every 4th grader to have the experience of getting out and discovering America. We want them to see the outside of a classroom, too; see all the places that make America great.”
The initiative is also aimed at getting students outside—and off their electronic devices.
The National Park Service provides instructional materials for teachers on its website.
