Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act
The Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act would permanently authorize the federal Every Kid Outdoors program and expand who can participate. Specifically, it would broaden eligibility to include fifth graders and home-schooled learners who are 10 or 11 years old (instead of restricting eligibility to a narrower grade/age group). The bill also authorizes a dedicated annual funding stream of $25 million to support program operations, outreach, and related activities. Funding would cover operational support (including coordination with the National Park Service), promotion and distribution of resources to schools and families, transportation for those with the greatest financial need, and targeted outreach to underserved communities and children with disabilities. In short, the bill seeks to make the program permanent, widen participation, and ensure stable funding and targeted support.
Key Points
- 1Permanently authorizes the Every Kid Outdoors program (rather than keeping it as a temporary or potentially sunset-ed program).
- 2Expands eligibility to include fifth graders and home-schooled learners who are 10 or 11 years old; removes the previous grade-specific limitation.
- 3Adjusts the program’s eligibility language related to grade level (removing the “in grade four” restriction).
- 4Authorizes $25,000,000 in appropriations per fiscal year to fund the program’s operations, coordination with the National Park Service, and staff support.
- 5Allocates funds for four purposes: (A) operational/staff support and coordination with the National Park Service; (B) promotion and distribution of program resources to schools, youth organizations, parents, and caregivers; (C) transportation services for the program to those with the greatest financial need; and (D) targeted outreach to underserved communities and children with disabilities.