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: 鈥淲e 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.鈥�
The initiative is also aimed at getting students outside鈥攁nd off their electronic devices.
The National Park Service provides instructional materials for teachers on its website.
