Why Outdoor Learning Matters for the Next Generation: NatureBridge and the Every Kid Outdoors Program
NatureBridge is proud to partner with Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) in championing the Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) program, which ensures more young people can access nature via our public lands. Through EKO, every fourth grader in the U.S. can receive a free annual pass to public lands and waters—not just for themselves, but for their entire family. That means no-cost access to our incredible national parks, forests, seashores, and more. During the 2024-2025 school year, over 900 fourth graders and their families learned about EKO via their participation in a NatureBridge program!
NatureBridge is committed to continuing our awareness campaign for all the fourth graders who come through our programs in the upcoming year. We want to get the pass into the hands of as many fourth graders and families as possible because we know how important outdoor learning is for young people.
Get your family’s EKO pass today at everykidoutdoors.gov and help ensure this vital program continues for future generations!
Outdoor education offers young people an invaluable opportunity to learn and grow beyond the walls of the classroom. Immersing students in nature fosters their curiosity, critical thinking, leadership, and hands-on problem-solving skills, as well as supports their physical and mental health by encouraging physical activity, reducing stress, and boosting resilience and confidence. Whether they are conducting science experiments along a riverbank, navigating trails with a map, or observing ecosystems in real time, students who participate in outdoor learning strengthen their comprehension of academic concepts through direct experience and personal discovery. This kind of active, sensory-rich education not only deepens students’ understanding but also helps them develop a genuine connection to the natural world. By giving young people the chance to learn through adventure, exploration, and reflection, outdoor education empowers them to grow into thoughtful, capable, and compassionate leaders who value their community and the planet.
[I]t was cool to see everything we've learned about in class in person. Instead of just reading some slides about erosion, we got to build fake towns and see how they were affected when we let a bunch of rivers form. Instead of just being told about velocity, we tested it by floating some sticks down the river. Everything was hands-on and very fun.Decatur Elementary Student
Stories
Exploring the Wonders of the Marin Headlands at Coastal Camp
Coastal Camp has officially wrapped for another season—and what a wonderful summer it has been! We welcomed over 1,600 participants this summer over our nine weeks of camp. Our campers explored every trail of the Marin Headlands, from the hills to the sea, down by Rodeo Beach! With a focus on coastal and ocean ecology, stewardship, and, of course, FUN, our campers made new friends and memories that we hope will last a lifetime.
Why Outdoor Learning Matters for the Next Generation: NatureBridge and the Every Kid Outdoors Program
NatureBridge is proud to partner with Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) in championing the Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) program, which ensures more young people can access nature via our public lands. Through EKO, every fourth grader in the U.S. can receive a free annual pass to public lands and waters—not just for themselves, but for their entire family. NatureBridge is committed to continuing our awareness campaign for all the fourth graders who come through our programs in the upcoming year. We want to get the pass into the hands of as many fourth graders and families as possible because we know how important outdoor learning is for young people.
Armstrong Scholars 2025 Trip Report
Somehow, we are back into our day-to-day lives, with traffic and lengthy to-do lists and microwaves. This summer's Armstrong Scholars program, in retrospect, was so short, yet the impact of those twelve days in the backcountry with twelve amazing young women will forever shape our lives. We may have left the magic of the backcountry, but with the simple act of closing our eyes, we are taken to awe-inspiring wilderness, dirt-caked and deeply content.