COVID-19 has impacted the thousands of children, teachers, and families whom we support across the country as well as our beloved national parks and temporarily paused our Buddy Bison School Program. Read the full message from our executive director about COVID-19.
What We Do
We engage kids with the great outdoors by providing fully funded park experiences that
1) align with classroom curricula,
2) encourage health and wellness through outdoor recreation, and
3) foster future park stewards and conservationists.
Who We Serve
We currently serve 81 Title I public, public charter and private elementary and middle schools in
20 states and Washington, D.C.
More than 80% of our students qualify for free or reduced-priced lunch.
How to Help
Each school is supported by individuals, corporations, and foundations. Help us sustain our current schools and grow to support students in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
About
Now in its 11th year and centered around our lovable woolly mascot Buddy Bison™, our youth programs connect 20,000 students annually to parks around the country.
Resources For Educators
Our youth program staff is dedicated to educating teachers and students on how to use our parks as fun outdoor classrooms.
Blue Star Families
We work with Blue Star Families to create family-friendly park experiences that feature STEM and history education as well as outdoor recreation activities.
Where's Buddy Bison Been?®
Find out where Buddy Bison has been! Our friends and supporters enjoy sharing the parks and public lands that they explore with our pint-sized mascot Buddy Bison. #BuddyBison
Youth Leadership Program
The Buddy Bison Student Ambassador Program has expanded and is now our new National Park Trust Youth Leadership Program! Click here to meet our Buddy Bison Student Ambassadors!
Get Your Buddy Bison
Get your very own Buddy Bison to take on your next park adventure. Each Buddy Bison purchased helps NPT send a kid to a park!
Mascot Rental
Find out how to have Buddy Bison at your next park event! Click here to learn more or contact Nina Marti at (301) 279-7275 xt. 24.
Every Kid Outdoors Pass
Hey 4th Graders! Get your Every Kid Outdoors pass which gets you into all federal public lands for FREE. The Every Kid Outdoors pass was created so fourth graders and their families could discover our wildlife, resources, and history at not cost.
Welcome to Week Four of Camp Buddy Bison
Welcome to Week Three of Camp Buddy Bison
Welcome to Week Two of Camp Buddy Bison
NPT Recognized for Getting Kids to Parks
Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) presented NPT with an inaugural OAK Leaf Award which recognized our “leadership and collaboration in connecting kids with nature.” Read more.