FINDYOURPARK is a website focusing public awareness on the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.
Developed by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation along with many corporate sponsors, the website helps users find, share, and support parks.
The “Find a Park Experience” area helps users learn about parks of interest and features experiences that are possible at particular parks. Users begin by taking a quiz to determine their interests. They’re asked whether they want to experience history, learn new things, go exploring, or make a difference. The next questions are based on their answer to the first question. For those not able to travel to parks, virtual experiences are provided. Users can also watch videos and read about featured parks. A map is provided for further exploration of particular areas. Use this website as part of a writing activity to get youth thinking about places they’d like to explore.
The “Share Your Story” section encourages users to share their thoughts about parks through a song, photo, painting, poem, dance, video or any other approach. The Centennial Project is a contest to find and celebrate the top 100 stories. Consider a National Park theme for your library during the 2015-2016 school year. Get teachers and students started thinking about possible projects for next year.
The “Support Your Park” area features ways that people of all ages can get involved with the National Parks by joining community activities or volunteering. The “Every Kid in a Park” initiative will provide the opportunity for every 4th grader in the United States to experience public lands for free during the 2015-2016 school year.
To learn more, go to http://www.findyourpark.com/.
