Just for Kids
The future needs adults who have an understanding of the natural world and know how to make wise environmental decisions. In order to become those adults, the kids of today have to spend time outdoors playing and learning. Parents, teachers and youth leaders fill a vital role in providing enjoyable and educational outdoor opportunities for children and youth.
National forests are the ultimate "outdoor classroom," with natural processes and human activities interacting in all sorts of interesting ways.
The Forest Service wants to encourage more kids to go outdoors by having fun, being healthy and learning more about nature. This can instill awareness in young people, who may then value public lands, seek careers in natural resources and land management, and enthusiastically participate in outdoor activities.
Every Kid Outdoors
Hey fourth graders! See America’s natural wonders and historic sites for free with your very own Every Kid Outdoors Pass!
Fourth graders get a free pass to take their family to federal public lands, across America for no charge!
Visit the website. Do some activities. Fill out your form and print it. Bring your printed voucher to any National Forest office or federal public lands location, including Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Army Corps of Engineers locations. Get your Every Kid Outdoors card, valid from September 1 to August 31, during your 4th grade year.
To get your card, you must print your pass and bring it with you when you visit any Angeles National Forest Office. Electronic copies aren't accepted.
Also, as part of President Obama’s initiative to get “Every Kid Outdoors, " 4th grade classes are eligible to receive reimbursement for transportation costs when visiting the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. In addition, the Forest Service can provide programming in an outdoor classroom setting for groups of about 100 students.
Conservation Education
The Conservation Education program (CE) helps people of all ages understand and appreciate our country's natural resources -- and learn how to conserve those resources for future generations. Through structured educational experiences and activities targeted to varying age groups and populations, conservation education enables people to realize how natural resources and ecosystems affect each other and how resources can be used wisely.
Through conservation education, people develop the critical thinking skills they need to understand the complexities of ecological problems. Conservation Education also encourages people to act on their own to conserve natural resources and use them in a responsible manner by making informed resource decisions.
The Natural Inquirer Journals, produced in collaboration with FIND Outdoors, provide FREE science education resources – both in print and online – for K-12 audiences and educators. These resources are based upon studies from USDA Forest Service scientists.
In addition, Natural Inquirer Scientist and Engineer Cards highlight over 240 Forest Service careers in science and engineering, inspiring career exploration in youth.
These programs bring nature to individuals and classrooms wherever they are though a series of webcasts, webinars, and online education resources. The live and pre-recorded programs bring exciting, on-site learning about bats, butterflies, wetlands, and more!
Science Olympiad
Founded in 1984, Science Olympiad is the premier team STEM competition in the nation, providing standards-based challenges to 5,500 teams at 400 tournaments in all 50 states. From 2022 - 2024, Forest Service Conservation Education and Science Olympiad are partnering to offer a Science Olympiad event focused specifically on forestry. Together, Science Olympiad and Forest Service Conservation Education will support enhanced knowledge of forestry and natural resources for K-12 students and educators through conservation and environmental education and access to Forest Service materials.
The Junior Forest and Junior Snow Ranger programs use Forest Service science and practices to encourage children ages 7 through 13 to enjoy and appreciate nature. Check out the booklets below for more information.