"National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst."
--Author Wallace Stegner, 1983
--Author Wallace Stegner, 1983
All kids deserve regular physical activity and being able to interact with nature. It is one of the basic elements of good health. Keep on reading for some really good news for all fourth graders and their families!
Walking among the Coastal Redwoods in northern California is about as close to God as I can get. There is such a joy that comes with walking outdoors in a state of awe and wonder. Being amongst the oldest living things in the world brings me an inner peace of epic proportions. The Redwoods have been a part of my life since I was 5, when our family moved to California and started camping in the state and national parks.
There are wondrous gifts that await Americans in our national parks. Thank goodness for people like Theodore Roosevelt, our environmental president, for his vision and recognizing the need to act to protect sacred places such as Yellowstone and Yosemite.
The National Park Service is celebrating its 100th birthday (August 25, 2016 to be precise) this year. I am celebrating by visiting several western national parks and monuments this month. It is a glorious time to reflect about what makes America the greatest country on Earth. In the next couple of months I will be sharing some of my national park adventures with you.
Help your kids to be their best. If you have a fourth grader in your family, you can get free admission to all national parks for a year. Check out the "Every Kid in a Park" program where the National Park Service offers free park admission to all fourth graders and their families. To get your pass, go to www.nps.gov or click here.
In gratitude,
Nancy L. Heinrich, MPH
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids
