This project connects military servicemembers and their families to national parks and the outdoors, reducing specific barriers military families face to benefiting from parks

Blue Star Families Inc. received a $300,000 Cooperative Agreement awarded August 1, 2025, under the National Park Service (NPS) Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education program (CFDA 15.954) to connect military servicemembers and their families to national parks and outdoor recreation. The organization will recruit 120 military families across seven U.S. regions with large active-duty populations and deliver a structured program designed to reduce barriers to park access and build outdoor recreation confidence. Each cohort will participate in a virtual orientation event, four facilitated introductory outdoor activities (such as fishing, hiking, and birding), and a capstone outdoor experience, with all participants receiving America the Beautiful Military Passes to enable ongoing park visitation.

The project extends through December 31, 2026, and includes optional voluntary service projects in national parks to deepen family connections to outdoor stewardship. This Cooperative Agreement aligns with the NPS mission to advance public engagement and educational programming while addressing the specific wellness and community integration needs of military families through outdoor recreation and environmental education initiatives.

Blue star families will recruit 120 military families for cohorts in seven different regions of the US where there are large populations of active duty servicemembers. They will plan and execute a menu of introductory outdoor recreational activities for families such as fishing, hiking, and birding. These activities will help families build confidence accessing national parks so that they can take advantage of parks throughout their lives. Each cohort will, at minimum, experience a virtual get to know you event, four facilitated introductory outdoor activities, a capstone outdoor event, and receive america the beautiful military passes. Families will also have the opportunity to participate in voluntary service projects in national parks to help build their connection to parks and the outdoors.