Fourth and fifth grade students ….

Fourth and fifth grade students are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit through the Every Kid Outdoors initiative. Every Kid Outdoors was created so fourth graders and their families could discover the Nation’s wildlife, resources and history for free. The Forest Service recently extended the program to fifth graders who may not have been able to use their fourth grade pass as intended.

Students must print a pass or voucher from the Every Kid Outdoors website at https://everykidoutdoors.gov. Fourth graders should follow links to “get your pass,” and fifth graders should follow the link to “get your voucher,” which leads to the National Park Service website.

Students can obtain their Christmas tree permit in person at a forest office or online. At a forest office, students must present their valid Every Kid Outdoors pass or voucher. If obtaining the permit online, they must enter the pass or voucher number during checkout. All online purchases, including those for free permits, will incur a $2.50 processing fee.

Visitors should plan their tree harvest by measuring the transport vehicle and space where they plan to display their tree. Cell service may be limited or unavailable in the forest, so consider bringing a map. Maps are available for download, at any forest office, and by mail.

Throughout fall, forest visitors should wear bright clothing and plan midday visits for better visibility. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources lists all hunting season dates on its website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/dates.

Harvesting a tree from the National Forest can turn a routine holiday task into a memorable adventure building memories that your children will cherish for years to come.