Facebook Mail RSS Twitter
  • Everyday
    • Education
    • Neighborhood Notes
  • Sports
  • Food & Art
    • Artist Profiles
    • Food Shopping
    • Local Farmers
    • Music
    • Restaurants
  • Community Channels
    • Around the House
      • Home Inspection Services
      • Insurance
        • Insurance Agent – Melanie Bakala
      • Real Estate Agents in Thurston County Covering Olympia Lacey Tumwater Yelm and beyond
    • Business Networking
      • Chamber
        • Chamber of Commerce
      • Economic Development Council
      • Rotary
        • Gateway Rotary
    • Community Talker
      • Instagram Article Feed
    • Health and Wellness
      • Hospital + Medical Center
      • Physical Therapy
    • Media Partners
      • Thurston Community Media
      • NorthAmericaTalk
    • Mentoring (Big Brothers Big Sisters)
    • Movies
    • Olympia Farmers Market
    • City, County and Government Information
      • People in Public Service
      • City of Lacey, Washington
      • City of Olympia, Washington
      • City of Tumwater, Washington
      • City of Yelm, Washington
      • City, County and Port Meetings
      • Port of Olympia
      • Thurston County Washington
    • Senior Life
      • Cemetery Products
      • In-Home Care
      • Senior Services for South Sound
    • Services
      • Auto Repair
      • Pet Emergency
    • South Puget Sound Community College
    • Thurston County Podcast
  • Featured Businesses
    • Around The House
    • Health Care
    • Local Retail Shops
    • Services
    • Women in Business
  • History
  • Photos
    • Community Events
    • Local Attractions
    • Sporting Events
  • Non-Profits
  • LocalTalk
  • Activities
    • Dogs & Pets
    • Family & Kids
    • Indoor
    • Outdoor
    • Gardening
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Biking
    • Camping
    • Hiking
    • Running
    • Parks and Beaches
    • Thrifty Thurston
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Post an Event
  • Calendar
  • Travel
    • Day Trips
    • Overnight Trips
  • Podcast
Search
Saturday, July 12, 2025
  • About
    • Story
    • Team
    • Company News
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • How our Olympia advertising works
    • Launch a Campaign
    • Grow your Audience
    • Measure the Results
    • Company News
    • Contact
  • Events
    • Community Calendar
    • Articles
    • List an Event
  • I5 Traffic Cameras
Facebook Mail RSS Twitter
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
ThurstonTalk
  • Everyday
    • AllEducationNeighborhood Notes
      A life-size cardboard cutout of reformer Susan B. Anthony stands next to the red velvet chair she reportedly sat in at the Bigelow House. A desk with flowers and pamphlets are behind the cut out and a tied shelf is next to the chair with different porcelain vases and pitchers on it.

      Suffragist Susan B. Anthony Visited Olympia in 1871 to Address Territorial…

      a woman laughs while playing with a foosball table at Legends Arcade

      Shop, Dine, Explore and Bank LocOly: It Means More for You…

      Humanitarian and influencer Kwabi Amoah-Forson stands at a podium with staff from Evergreen State College sitting behind him. a Banner says "Congratulations Class of 2025 - Evergreen" on the wall behind him

      The Evergreen State College Alumnus Kwabi Amoah-Forson Tells 2025 Graduates to…

      a woman leans over an older youth in a wheelchair, there are other adults and kids in a playground in the background

      South Sound Parent to Parent Invites Community to Join Them in…

  • Sports
  • Food & Art
    • AllArtist ProfilesFood ShoppingLocal FarmersMusicRestaurants
      Rendering of a spacious cafeteria-style building with people sitting and walking around

      New Restaurant in Downtown Olympia Opening Soon

      Unique Pop-Up Vendor Brings Dirty Sodas to Olympia Area

      a bottle of Woodborne Spirits vodka with chantrelle mushrooms lying around it

      From Forest to Bottle: Woodborne Spirits turns Chanterelles into Award-Winning Gin…

      a bowl of bao with a red spoon with broth held over it. A bao is being held above the spoon with chopsticks

      Get Your Bao Some Bao in Thurston County: New Dough Zone…

  • Community Channels
    • Around the House
      • Home Inspection Services
      • Insurance
        • Insurance Agent – Melanie Bakala
      • Real Estate Agents in Thurston County Covering Olympia Lacey Tumwater Yelm and beyond
    • Business Networking
      • Chamber
        • Chamber of Commerce
      • Economic Development Council
      • Rotary
        • Gateway Rotary
    • Community Talker
      • Instagram Article Feed
    • Health and Wellness
      • Hospital + Medical Center
      • Physical Therapy
    • Media Partners
      • Thurston Community Media
      • NorthAmericaTalk
    • Mentoring (Big Brothers Big Sisters)
    • Movies
    • Olympia Farmers Market
    • City, County and Government Information
      • People in Public Service
      • City of Lacey, Washington
      • City of Olympia, Washington
      • City of Tumwater, Washington
      • City of Yelm, Washington
      • City, County and Port Meetings
      • Port of Olympia
      • Thurston County Washington
    • Senior Life
      • Cemetery Products
      • In-Home Care
      • Senior Services for South Sound
    • Services
      • Auto Repair
      • Pet Emergency
    • South Puget Sound Community College
    • Thurston County Podcast
  • Featured Businesses
    • AllAround The HouseHealth CareLocal Retail ShopsServicesWomen in Business
      An Intercity Transit bus on a road with green grass next to it a tree full of cherry blossoms

      Intercity Transit Embarks on Year-Long Process to Redesign Bus System Serving…

      a girl sits at a table on a laptop, a man is next her holding a cellphone and across the table is a young boy holding a tablet

      Comcast Unveils Simpler, Predictable Internet Pricing: What It Means for Thurston…

      outside of the WSECU Hawks Prairie branch with the letters "WSECU" in white on the front and empty parking spaces in front.

      WSECU Guides Members Through Life’s Major Financial Events With In-Person Banking…

      A Multi-Pronged Approach at Penrose Physical Therapy Keeps Patient Healthy and…

  • History
    • A life-size cardboard cutout of reformer Susan B. Anthony stands next to the red velvet chair she reportedly sat in at the Bigelow House. A desk with flowers and pamphlets are behind the cut out and a tied shelf is next to the chair with different porcelain vases and pitchers on it.

      Suffragist Susan B. Anthony Visited Olympia in 1871 to Address Territorial…

      Tenino Moves Historic Train Depot, 1975

      Arleen Webb Crooks Helped Make Olympia a Better Place

      Olympia History: Remembering the Daylight Bakery

      The Marie Bed & Breakfast in olympia

      From Historic Charm to Cozy Retreat: The Story of Our Victorian…

  • Photos
    • AllCommunity EventsLocal AttractionsSporting Events
      capital city pride

      Thousands Gather in Olympia to Celebrate Capital City Pride 2018

      procession species olympia

      Luminary Procession 2018: Lighting Up the Rainy Night in Downtown Olympia

      snowy winter scene

      ThurstonTalk Readers Capture Christmas Snow

      Twinklefest 2017

      Twinklefest 2017 Window Displays

  • Non-Profits
    • a group of kids and two adults stand under a ductless A/C system, pointing to it with one hand and giving a thumbs up with the other.

      In-Kind Donations Help Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County Focus…

      a woman leans over an older youth in a wheelchair, there are other adults and kids in a playground in the background

      South Sound Parent to Parent Invites Community to Join Them in…

      Chris Hyde stands in a kitchen, writing something on a notepad, three woman stand behind him behind a counter

      The Food Source Foundation and ‘Hometown Hero’ Finalist in Olympia Heat…

      a large group of men and woman with a couple kids post for a photo, four are kneeling, the rest are standing. They are in front of a pop up tent that says 'TOGETHER!" with three hand prints next to it One woman is holding a gift basket

      The League of Foundations Unites Three Local Nonprofits to Extend their…

      a man holds a child with a woman standing next to hem and a boat in the background

      South Sound Parent to Parent is a Resource Helping Families With…

  • LocalTalk
    • Bear Gulch Fire Update

      Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park to Implement Campfire Restrictions…

      adults sitting at tables with computer screens in front of them. Their backs are to the camera. A person stands at the front of the from next to a large projection screen

      Saint Martin’s University and Oracle Prepare Military Community for In-Demand Careers…

      Bear Gulch Fire Update: Staircase and Lake Cushman Areas Closed, Crews…

      Thurston County Issues Fire Safety Burn Ban on Yard Waste and…

  • Activities
    • AllDogs & PetsFamily & KidsIndoorOutdoorGardeningOutdoor RecreationBikingCampingHikingRunningParks and BeachesThrifty Thurston
      People on the shore at Tolmie State Beach during low tide, with an island in the distance and clouds in the sky

      State Park Near Olympia-Lacey That’s Great for Picnicking, Walking and More

      a man fishes in a small boat on Lake Sylvia, trees cover the bank on the other side

      Visit Washington Coast’s Lake Sylvia

      Polson Logging Company steam engine pulling the Mt. Rainier Scenic train through the forest

      Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Still in Operation After Fire, Take a…

      young boys and girls in t-shirts and shorts stand in a line on a field, the hands of an adult are seen handing the first two kids orange balls. The kid at the front of the line is throwing her ball.,

      New Engaging Youth Summer Camps Have Sports, STEAM, Coding, Music, Water…

  • Events
    • Hell's Belle rock group performing on stage to a crowd of people

      Rock Out With Hell’s Belles and Nite Wave During Downtown Olympia’s…

      Lavender growing in a field with buds on the stems at Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm

      Closing After 13 Years? The Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm in Olympia…

      a group of people stand next to a red motorcycle, two of them are holding a giant check.

      An Exciting Summer Is Ahead at Mason Health, With Installation of…

      long sticks with salmon attached them over an open flam. A black belt runs in front of the fire pit that says Lucky Eagle Casino Resort

      Heat up Your Family’s Summer at the Barbecue Festival in Yelm

      a man speaking into a microphone with a young boy next to him at West Bay Park, the new totem carving is in the background

      The West Olympia Rotary Commemorates 50th Anniversary Through ‘Life Is Water’…

    • Calendar
    • Post an Event
  • Calendar
  • Travel
    • Day Trips
    • Overnight Trips
  • Podcast
Home Activities Thrifty Thurston – Outdoor Adventure Awaits Using Every Kid in a Park...

Thrifty Thurston – Outdoor Adventure Awaits Using Every Kid in a Park Free Passes

By
Lisa Herrick
-
olympic national park
The Olympic National Park offers many options to hike and camp along the beach or in the temperate rainforest.

Share via:

0 Shares
  • More
FacebookTweetPin

We are so fortunate to be surrounded by natural beauty and easily accessible outdoor recreation and parks. Yet just as easy as it might be to enjoy these parks, it seems equally as easy to not take advantage of their proximity and pleasure. Sometimes it takes a little nudge to remind us what is in our own backyards.

olympia food co-opThe Every Kid in a Park program has offered encouragement to local families that include a fourth grade student. Every fourth grader is eligible to receive a free pass to visit any national park, monument, forest, recreation area, wildlife refuge, or historic site. That means for Thurston County fourth graders free outdoor adventure awaits at nearby Bill Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument, Olympic National Park and more.

Heather Myers, a mother of sixth and fourth grade daughters, was an early adopter of the Every Kid in a Park program. “I heard of this program last summer and quickly started planning park adventures at the start of my daughter’s fourth grade school year. My first thought was how fun for all kinds of families.”

free park pass
Heather, Taylor and Maddie Myers hike the Staircase Trail in the Olympic National Park – an easy and captivating day hike option from Olympia.

“It is an especially encouraging program for those with limited resources or those who might not typically consider excursions to national parks or outdoor activities,” continues Myers. “I did not grow up doing these kind of things so I really want to provide my children with this type of experience, especially since we have so many options close by.”

Already this year the Myers family has used their free passes several times. They have hiked the Staircase trail in the southeast portion of the Olympic National Park, which is an easy and captivating trail close enough to Olympia to make as a nice day hike option. They have toured the Ape Cave in Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument, which is the third longest lava tube in North America. And they have spent the night camping in the scenic lowlands of Mount Rainier National Park.

“We are so close to all of these sites that are truly some of the most remarkable places in our country. Access to them is easy, entrance is free, and they are absolutely breathtaking. It is a great way to get kids active and enjoy the area we live in,” Myers comments.

free parks pass
Keira Watson will be using her Every Kid in a Park free pass to hike the beautiful trails in Mount Rainier National Park with her family.

As further encouragement to use the free passes and learn about our nearby parks, many teachers like Mrs. Rants at Boston Harbor Elementary School (BHES) have cleverly blended classroom instruction with both field trips and Washington State research projects. Thanks to the Every Kid in the Park Transportation Grant Program all BHES fourth graders will be visiting the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge this spring to learn about the diverse habitat from the meeting of a freshwater river and the saltwater of the Puget Sound.

Several of BHES students, like Kate Herrick and Keira Watson, selected research projects to encourage their families’ use of the free fourth grade pass. While Kate has learned about the three distinct ecosystems of glacier-capped mountains, Pacific Coast and the old growth temperate rain forest within the Olympic National Park from her previous beach camping trips, she has not yet had the opportunity to visit the Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument where she will learn about the volcano’s 1980 eruption.

free park pass
The Every Kid in a Park pass is good for all current fourth graders through August 2016.

Keira has visited Mount Rainier National Park numerous times, which remains one of her favorite places to hike with her family. Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States and offers an abundance of hiking trails, wildflower viewing, and ranger led programs. Keira shares, “I have hiked with my family when there was still snow on the mountain and wildflowers along the trails. The views from the mountain are beautiful. We usually spend the day there and bring a picnic.”

Just like families throughout the country will be visiting the amazing parks in Washington State, the Myers family have designed their summer travels to take advantage of other national parks including five parks in Utah (Zion, Moab, Bryce, Canyon Lands and Arches) and the Grand Canyon where Maddie hopes to horseback ride and Taylor would like to river raft or kayak.

The free pass is valid for current fourth graders through August 2016 and admits all children under age 16 and up to three accompanying adults.

Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, visit our complete event calendar.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
FacebookTweetPin

Share via:

0 Shares
  • More
Previous articleWelcome to Forrey’s Forza, Home of TC Pies
Next articleGirls High School Lacrosse Arrives in Thurston County
Lisa Herrick

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

People on the shore at Tolmie State Beach during low tide, with an island in the distance and clouds in the sky

State Park Near Olympia-Lacey That’s Great for Picnicking, Walking and More

a man fishes in a small boat on Lake Sylvia, trees cover the bank on the other side

Visit Washington Coast’s Lake Sylvia

Polson Logging Company steam engine pulling the Mt. Rainier Scenic train through the forest

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Still in Operation After Fire, Take a Ride and Experience Local Railway History

Upcoming Events

Jul
12
Sat
all-day Little Red Schoolhouse Project-S... @ Drop Off At Participating locations through July 31st
Little Red Schoolhouse Project-S... @ Drop Off At Participating locations through July 31st
Jul 12 all-day
Little Red Schoolhouse Project-School Supply Drive @ Drop Off At Participating locations through July 31st
Welcome to the Little Red Schoolhouse Thurston County, Washington State Who We Are What we do and why Donations What we need Getting involved How you can help Email signup Subscribe to our mailing list Distribution of Supplies How it[...]
View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML

Local Community Sponsors

Local Community Sponsors

Business

An Intercity Transit bus on a road with green grass next to it a tree full of cherry blossoms

Intercity Transit Embarks on Year-Long Process to Redesign Bus System Serving...

Intercity Transit is embarking on a year-long process to update its bus system serving the Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Yelm areas. This exciting endeavor...
a girl sits at a table on a laptop, a man is next her holding a cellphone and across the table is a young boy holding a tablet

Comcast Unveils Simpler, Predictable Internet Pricing: What It Means for Thurston...

outside of the WSECU Hawks Prairie branch with the letters "WSECU" in white on the front and empty parking spaces in front.

WSECU Guides Members Through Life’s Major Financial Events With In-Person Banking...

A Multi-Pronged Approach at Penrose Physical Therapy Keeps Patient Healthy and...

an updated kitchen and dining area with light wood floors, white cabinets and white counters

Family-Owned Olympia Builder Will Take Your New Home or Renovation Project...

Trending Now

Bear Gulch Fire Update

Lavender growing in a field with buds on the stems at Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm

Closing After 13 Years? The Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm in Olympia...

A life-size cardboard cutout of reformer Susan B. Anthony stands next to the red velvet chair she reportedly sat in at the Bigelow House. A desk with flowers and pamphlets are behind the cut out and a tied shelf is next to the chair with different porcelain vases and pitchers on it.

Suffragist Susan B. Anthony Visited Olympia in 1871 to Address Territorial...

Editor Picks

an artist sits at a table with her paintings on display

Shelton Art Walk Returns in 2025 with a Celebration of Art,...

young boys and girls in t-shirts and shorts stand in a line on a field, the hands of an adult are seen handing the first two kids orange balls. The kid at the front of the line is throwing her ball.,

New Engaging Youth Summer Camps Have Sports, STEAM, Coding, Music, Water...

Oksana Skillings in her classroom showing huge playing cards to the seated students

North Thurston Public Schools Celebrates Educators Who Embody Joy of Learning 

Recent Posts

  • Suffragist Susan B. Anthony Visited Olympia in 1871 to Address Territorial Legislature, Declared One Local Supporter ‘Splendid’
  • In-Kind Donations Help Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County Focus on the Kids
  • Bear Gulch Fire Update
  • Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park to Implement Campfire Restrictions Starting July 11
  • Rock Out With Hell’s Belles and Nite Wave During Downtown Olympia’s Lakefair at Charlie’s Bar & Grill
ABOUT US
ThurstonTalk is a community social network delivering positive stories about what it’s like to live, work and play in Thurston County Washington, including Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino and the surrounding area. Advertise with ThurstonTalk. Brand your business and tell your story to your target market.
Contact us: info@thurstontalk.com
FOLLOW US
Facebook Mail RSS Twitter
  • About
    • Story
    • Team
    • Company News
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • How our Olympia advertising works
    • Launch a Campaign
    • Grow your Audience
    • Measure the Results
    • Company News
    • Contact
  • Events
    • Community Calendar
    • Articles
    • List an Event
  • I5 Traffic Cameras
© ThurstonTalk, Inc.
Share via
Facebook
X (Twitter)
LinkedIn
Mix
Email
Print
Copy Link
Powered by Social Snap
Copy link
CopyCopied
Powered by Social Snap