New presidential program gives families annual pass to national parks

There is no shortage of fascinating monuments to explore here in South Dakota, and President Obama wants to make sure kids have every opportunity to see them.

As part of the president's commitment to protect our nation's outdoor spaces, the Obama Administration formally launched the new Every Kid in a Park program www.everykidinapark.gov on Tuesday.

Now fourth graders nationwide can get a pass that provides free access to students and their families to all federally managed lands and waters, including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries. The program is meant to inspire the next generation to discover all that our nation's public lands have to offer.

The pass is valid for the 2015-2016 school year. You can sign up at www.nationalparks.org to get a free guide with 35 adventures for kids.