Reintroduction of Every Kid Outdoors Act Would Permanently Fund Vital Program Providing National Park Passes to Youth

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Yassamin Ansari reintroducedthe Every Kid Outdoors Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Every Kid Outdoors program provides fourth graders and their families with free access to public lands and recreation sites across the United States. The program was launched in 2015, but is scheduled to sunset in 2026. The Every Kid Outdoors Act would permanently reauthorize the program and extend it to fifth graders.

Families wishing to participate can print out a pass from EveryKidOutdoors.govand redeem the pass at participating locations like national parks. The latest cohort of students was able to pick up their passes starting this month.

In response, members of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids released the following statements:

"This vital program has helped hundreds of thousands of young people across the United States to connect with nature through our national public lands, waters, and shores," said Jackie Ostfeld, Chair of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids. "These places are our true common grounds that bring people together regardless of geography or ideology. Passing the Every Kid Outdoors Act is an opportunity for our elected leaders to come together to make sure future generations of young people are able to get active outdoors, visit our national parks, and become lifelong advocates for nature."

"National parks provide children and families with unparalleled opportunities to experience the outdoors. We thank Representative Ansari for introducing the Every Kid Outdoors Act of 2025, which expands and makes permanent the bipartisan EXPLORE Act, establishes dedicated funding, and broadens eligibility so that more students can benefit. These important improvements will increase access to our nation's parks, promoting physical activity and fostering heart-healthy habits and a passion for the outdoors that can last a lifetime." said Mark Schoeberl, EVP of Advocacy at the American Heart Association.

"Over the past decade, children across the country have been able to connect with our public lands because of the Every Kid Outdoors program," said Robert Scott, Deputy Director of Federal Policy with Sierra Club's Outdoors for All campaign. "The longer it takes for a young person to connect with nature, the less likely they are to ever develop that connection, but early connections with the outdoors are proven to yield better health, education, and wellness outcomes. Extending this program would allow even more families and communities to experience these benefits."

"The Every Kid Outdoors Act is a vital step in ensuring that all children have access to the curiosity, joy, and sense of self that a connection to the outdoors brings," said Rena Payan, Chief Program Officer at Justice Outside."We are proud supporters of this act, and know that its introduction will have ripple effects for generations to come."

"ASLA is proud to stand with Representative Ansari in supporting the Every Kid Outdoors Act of 2025. Giving every fourth and fifth grader the chance to explore our nation's parks and public lands is how we plant the seeds of environmental stewardship early. These experiences can spark a lifelong love of nature, curiosity about science and design, and a deeper connection to the landscapes that shape our lives. Today's kids are tomorrow's changemakers - and this bill helps set them on that path," said Torey Carter-Conneen, CEO American Society of Landscape Architects.

"American Hiking Society applauds the introduction of the Every Kid Outdoors Act in the House of Representatives by Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-3). The bill would ensure this critical program does not expire, create funding to support the program, and expand the program to include both 4th and 5th graders," said Heather Klein Olson, Executive Director, American Hiking Society."The bill will introduce the next generation to outdoor recreation and foster lifelong service to and enjoyment of our most treasured natural resource."

"There's arguably no more impactful classroom than the outdoors, so what's not to love about the Every Kid Outdoors Act? Welcoming America's 4th graders and their families to our awe-inspiring national parks, then helping them build on that connection as 5th graders can lead to a lifetime of learning, love for these powerful outdoor classrooms, and promise realized," said Luis Villa, the Executive Director of Latino Outdoors.

"As the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) seeks to enhance access and breakdown barriers by creating opportunities for new and diverse communities to experience the A.T., we recognize the impact that childhood experiences have in creating lifelong connections to nature. The ATC fully supports the Every Kid Outdoors Act, which will allow more families to experience our nation's outstanding public lands," said Rachel Lettre, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director.

"Fishing, swimming, boating, hiking and otherwise recreating along the rivers and creeks of our public lands is one of the great privileges of growing up in this country," said David Moryc, the River Protection Program Director at American Rivers. "American Rivers is happy to see this access expanded through the Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act reintroduction."

"Seed Your Future is proud to support the Every Kid Outdoors Act because we know that when young people fall in love with the outdoors and nature, they are inspired to imagine futures rooted in caring for our planet. By opening the doors to these experiences, we are helping to spark interest in horticulture and green careers that will shape the next generation of environmental leaders," said Jazmin Albarran, the Executive Director at Seed Your Future.

"Project Nature Worthy believes that access to the outdoors is access to opportunity. The Every Kid Outdoors Act ensures every child can step into nature, sparking wonder, health, and a lifelong commitment to protecting our planet," said Saanvi Sita Mylavarapu of Nature Worthy.

In addition, this bill is supported by the following members of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids: Children & Nature Network, Avid4Adventure, the Corps Network, Safe Routes Partnerships, Washington Trails Association, ISLANDWOOD, American Camp Association, The Association for Experiential Learning, Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, and American Forests.

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About the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK)

OAK is a national strategic partnership of organizations from diverse sectors with a common interest in connecting children, youth, and families with the outdoors. The members of OAK are brought together by the belief that the wellness of current and future generations, the health of our planet and communities, and the economy of the future depend on humans having a personal, direct, and lifelong relationship with nature and the outdoors. OAK brings together more than 120 businesses and organizations, representing more than 60 million individuals, to address the growing divide between children, youth, and the natural world. For more information, visit https://www.outdoorsallianceforkids.org.

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.