Being a fourth grader in Colorado has a few educational perks. From a national parks pass to a membership at the History Colorado museum, these incentives tie closely to Colorado social studies curriculum standards for fourth grade. Available for students that attend traditional public school, private school or homeschool, only proof of age is required.
National Parks Pass
Beginning on Aug. 1, fourth-grade students may apply for a free national parks pass through the Every Kid Outdoors Program (everykidoutdoors.gov). Intended to give students the ability to connect nature to history, the creation of national parks in Colorado features prominently in fourth grade curricula. Three park service entities — Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and Canyon of the Ancients National Monument — played a significant role in the state’s evolution.
National Forest Christmas Tree Permit
Also part of the park pass initiative through Every Kid Outdoors, families can purchase a permit ($2.50 online processing fee) to cut down a free Christmas tree in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, Pike National Forest and the White River National Forest. The educational tie-in comes through observing the forest and cut trees, part of life sciences.
History Colorado Museum Membership
Fourth graders can become history buffs with a free one-year membership to the History Colorado museum. Beginning Aug. 1, students and their families (up to five additional people) get admission to all eight museums (find a full list at historycolorado.org/museums), covering the 1880s mining boom, homesteading pioneers and modern-day Colorado with interactive exhibits.
This membership also includes one free child ticket to the Georgetown Loop Historic Mining and Railroad Park with the purchase of an adult ticket. Built in 1884, it connected the towns of Silver Plume and Georgetown during the silver mining boom.
Passport to the Arts Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
The connection between the collection of Hispanic and Native American artifacts and art ties into the fourth-grade curriculum at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (FAC). Each fourth grader gets a free one-year family membership to the arts center (fourth grader, two adults and all other children under 18 in the household) and a ticket to the FAC fall production of The City Dog and the Prairie Dog (El perro de la ciudad y el perro de la pradera) and the spring production of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience. Fourth graders can also get 45% off tuition to Bemis School of Art classes and access to specific activities at FAC.
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