April 16, 2019
Updates on Every Kid Outdoors (EKO)
1. Tom Medema, NPS Acting Associate Director for Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers, presented an overview of the rebranding of EKIP to EKO to the Interagency Pass Program representatives on their 4/16 bi-weekly call. Tom's team takes the lead for the NPS on the EKIP/EKO program and coordinates with an interagency EKO work group + Partners + transportation grants on a variety of aspects of the program that crosses agencies and programs. The Interagency Pass Program reps (Lisa Bourne McCaslin and Traci Kolc) are working with Tom's team and cross communicating with the interagency Pass Program reps and the NPS Regional Fee Managers to share regular updates.

2. EKO is authorized for the next 7 years. There is an annual reporting requirement which Tom and the interagency EKO work group are addressing to determine what "reporting" means in the new legislation. They are working on a reporting platform to capture the reporting requirements.

3. While the program name will change, the program framework will be the same as it has been since its inception in fall 2015. The Logo image will remain the same and the the name Every Kid in a Park will be replaced with Every Kid Outdoors. The online, printable Voucher will be updated with the new logo. Website updates are underway.

4. Pass Image - will represent kids actively enjoying federal recreation lands. Passes will be printed and available to order this summer. More details will follow via Memorandum with specific information about ordering the new 4th Grade Passes and EKO brochures from USGS, the fulfillment contractor, securely destroying old stock after 8/31/2019, etc.

5. Public Law (includes EKO): On March 12, 2019, the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (formerly known as the Natural Resources Management Act, now Public Law 116-9) became law. As one of the largest conservation bills in recent history, this law includes provisions to authorize several initiatives, changes, and authorizations including the Every Kid Outdoors Program. Link to the Bill: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th- congress/house-bill/3186/text

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