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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Tiny houses under fire by builders ... Local veteran's persistence pays off for all vets ... Second SOU candidate embraces liberal arts ... Tiny houses under fire by builders ... Local veteran's persistence pays off for all vets ... Second SOU candidate embraces liberal arts ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Fourth grade is prime time to discover nature Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 26, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted May. 26, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News I'm interested in why the Forest Service limits its "Every Kid in a Park" free pass program to fourth-graders. I have a second-grader and a third-grader, and I could use one of those free parking and entry passes just as much, if not more, than the mother of your average fourth-grader. Why are they limiting the pass to fourth-graders? — Karen K., Medford You're not the only one, Karen, to pepper Since You Asked Central with a question as to why only fourth-graders are part of the Forest Service's Every Kid in a Park outreach this year. Launched in December, the Every Kid In A Park program provides free entry passes for fourth-grade students and their families at national parks, monuments and other federal lands that have day-use fees. It is built around the National Park Service's 100th anniversary Aug. 25, and the passes are good through Aug. 31 The passes cover entry fees for the child and up to three adults inside a vehicle. When they were setting up the program, federal officials intended to focus on when kids' brains are developed enough to best enjoy nature as a living classroom, as well as the importance public lands play in people's lives, says Chamise Kramer, spokeswoman for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and the coordinator of local Every Kid in a Park events. After looking at several studies, "fourth grade seems to be the sticking point," Kramer says. This year's fourth-graders are running out of time to use the pass, and Kramer says she's already started reaching out to current third-graders, who will be able to get their pass beginning Sept. 1. This is a two-year pilot program, and whether it runs past the summer of 2017 will depend upon the next presidential administration, Kramer says. To get the pass, current fourth-graders can go to www.everykidinapark.gov , complete a short fill-in-the-blank "diary" entry about a trip they want to take to a national park, and get the pass at the end. — Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. —Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 26, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501