Free Republic

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - National parks in California are so underfunded and understaffed that they've eliminated educational programs and are turning away thousands of children each year. According to a study this week from the National Parks Conservation Association, roughly 80,000 kindergartners through 12th graders participate in educational programs each year at parks such as Joshua Tree, Yosemite and Lassen Volcanic. That amounts to only 1 percent of the state's 7 million public and private school students. "Part of providing a high-quality education to our children is ensuring access to the unique learning opportunities in our national parks," said Deborah...