Those of you who follow these newsletters will know that I love public libraries and public parks!  So summer seems like perfect PARK time.  This newsletter will point you toward some of the AMAZING things you can find in the National Parks this summer.

[If you try any of these, please let me know what you think!]

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Fifth Grade Voucher (valid only through August 31, 2021)

Many fourth graders missed out on using their Every Kid Outdoors Annual Fourth Grade Pass during the 2019-2020 school year. For the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year and summer, US fifth graders can bring their families to national parks, national forests and grasslands, wildlife refuges, and other Department of the Interior, US Forest Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers-managed public lands and waters for free. Find more information including who is eligible and how to get a free voucher.

Youth Conservation Corp: summer youth employment program in national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and fish hatcheries developing an ethic of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility. YCC programs are generally 8 to 10 weeks and members are paid the minimum wage for a 40-hour work week. Most YCC opportunities are non-residential programs which provide paid daytime work activities with members who commute to the Federal unit daily.  See the list of participating 2021 programs here.  

Urban Parks: Find your nearest Park for a cheap getaway.  Fredrick Law Olmstead (architect of Central Park in NYC), said: It is one great purpose of the Park to supply to the hundreds of thousands of tired workers, who have no opportunity to spend their summers in the country, a specimen of God's handiwork that shall be to them, inexpensively, what a month or two in the White Mountains or the Adirondacks is, at great cost, to those in easier circumstances. Central Park in NYC is a perfect example.  Check out this little-traveled trail for an Adirondack-like afternoon.  

Park Finder: I found this website, which identified parks in my City and State.  It found some I had never heard of, but it did not find my two local favorites.  It's a resource worth checking out, but not exhaustive.  

Parks Expert: This site also had helpful information.  It's run by a park enthusiast.  She has the parks broken down by State and more in-depth information about the several hundred she has personally visited.  

WebCams!!  Our family had planned a visit to the Grand Canyon and beyond for summer 2020, which didn't happen.  Until we are all vaccinated and safe to travel, we are availing ourselves of the NPS's 222 webcams!  Check them out!

Remember the super cool Catapult episode on Recess With PunkinFutz? Join us this Friday at 4 PM EST for another fun activity with our friends at Dazzling Discoveries!!

On Thursday (6/3) at 6 PM EST LIVE on Instagram I will be the guest for the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA) Coffee With An Entrepreneur Series at https://www.instagram.com/nysota_/ hosted by Kendrick Marania from Iona College. CWAE aims to inspire OT/A students to pursue entrepreneurship!

Since Monday comes on Tuesday this week, here's a little bit of inspiration.  I believe in you 🙂