White House and National Parks Foundation Targeting African-American Youth With "Every Kid in a Park" Initiative

Los Angeles, CA, December 7, 2015 (Newswire.com) - With the unique opportunity to reach a new generation, Ohio businessman and National Parks Foundation Board of Directors member Stephen L. Hightower has partnered with President Obama and his administration on the “Every Kid In A Park” initiative, https://vimeo.com/146050522?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=29220.  In February, President Obama announced the launch of the “Every Kid In A Park” initiative as a lead-in to the historic centennial year of the National Park Service.

The agenda was created in an effort to engage millions of young Americans with our natural wonders and national treasures, in all 50 states.   In September, every fourth grader in the nation received an “Every Kid In A Park” pass, good for free admission to all of America’s federal lands and waters for them and their families for a full year.  

Stephen L. Hightower has taken this campaign a step further by reaching out to young people of color; he is eager to introduce over one-million of these children to our national wonders.  Stephen, along all partners and affiliates hope to spark interest in our national parks, and forge a stronger connection to both nature and our shared history. This first level of engagement may present the first step on a path to increased educational opportunities and long‐term employment options with the National Park Service and people of color.

A recent Kaiser Family Foundation study showed that kids are spending eight hours a day watching videos, playing games, and listening to music. A University of Michigan report revealed a decrease of 69 percent over the last decade in time spent in outdoor activities among children ages 6 to 17. The Nature Conservancy found that the vast majority of today’s kids uses a computer, watches TV, or plays video games daily, but only about 10 percent say they are spending time outdoors every day. These statistics are even more extreme for children of color, and kids from underserved populations who are disproportionately located in urban centers and rural areas with limited access to national parks.  “Every Kid In A Park” looks to aggressively close this startling gap, and simultaneously impact each child with educational and transformative curricula.

For more information please visit www.everykidinapark.gov or contact [email protected]