Commitment provides underserved and urban youth access to National Parks
Eddie Bauer, the iconic outdoor brand, has pledged a $50,000 donation to the National Park Foundation's Field Trip Grants supporting the Every Kid in a Park initiative. Announced last year by The White House, Every Kid in a Park provides every fourth grader, and their families, a free annual pass to experience our nation's public lands and waters.
"Many people who enjoy outdoor recreation started as kids, enjoying the outdoors with their family and friends. It is also when they begin to develop an appreciation and respect for nature," states Mike Egeck, Chief Executive Officer for Eddie Bauer. "It's this next generation that holds the power to ensure these lands remain protected and preserved. Through our donation to the National Park Foundation, we hope to provide more youth with access to our national parks, and inspire them to explore and protect the outdoors for generations of outdoor enthusiasts to come."
The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service, collaborates with school districts, parks, and park partners to provide efficient transportation support to hundreds of thousands of students to visit these special places. Research demonstrates that kids who spend time outdoors are healthier and do better in school. Kids who have opportunities for hands-on learning outdoors also demonstrate more interest in and are more proficient in science. Similarly, a young person's understanding of history improves after visiting sites of cultural significance.
Due to a lack of socioeconomic and geographic resources, many young people do not have access to the nation's public lands and waters, which is why the Foundation's Every Kid in a Park Field Trip Grants focuses primarily on supporting underserved and urban communities. With cutbacks in school funding for field trips, Eddie Bauer's donation will help introduce kids in these communities to the national parks in their own backyards and experience unparalleled hands-on learning opportunities.
Eddie Bauer is proud to support the National Park Foundation's Field Trip Grant programs, and will help provide additional materials such as #EveryKidInAPark stickers, annual pass lanyards and in-kind product for Every Kid in a Park programming.
