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Every Kid Outdoors A National Park Adventure JESSICA DANA travel advisor, One Swell Travel
LIVING IN CACHE VALLEY, we are fortunate to have so many outdoor adventures to choose from right in our backyard. But did you know that within a 10-hour drive from Logan there are more than 15 National Parks? Better yet, the National Park Service has an amazing program called, Every Kid Outdoors. This program allows every fourth-grade child to obtain a free National Park annual pass. The pass starts in September and is good through August 31 of the following year. It is good for the entire family joining the fourth-grade pass holder in the park in the same car (get yours at everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm). The National Park Service knew what they were doing when they chose fourth graders for the pass because at this age, children are full of wonder and curiosity and are usually open-minded to new experiences. Connecting with nature at any age is great, but it is especially magical at this age. Two of my children are in fourth grade this year, so this is our family's time to take advantage of this amazing program. For our family of full-time homeschoolers, fall-time usually means travel-time. This year our travel plans look a little different than usual. Instead of faraway desitinations, we are setting out to explore some of the amazing places within a 10-hour drive. Visiting new places is always a fun and exciting experience, but learning about the destinations before the trip can make it even more memorable. As
Logan’s backcountry ski headquarters. Come in and check out the new gear! • 129 N. Main • Logan, Utah