June 11, 2026
New Podcast Series Brings National Park Stories into Classrooms Nationwide
The Walking Classroom connects students to national parks through ranger-led educational podcasts.
With support from the National Park Foundation’s Open OutDoors for Kids (OOK) program, Alliance for a Healthier Generation has expanded its educational podcast initiative designed to bring the stories and experiences of America’s national parks into classrooms nationwide.
Building on its partnership with Mammoth Cave National Park, Healthier Generation expanded the project to include three additional parks—The National Parks of Boston, Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, and Gateway Arch National Park—while continuing its work with Mammoth Cave. Together, these collaborations resulted in a new series of educational podcast episodes, available in both English and Spanish.
Funding from the National Park Foundation supported the development and broad distribution of The Walking Classroom podcasts, which combine physical activity with curriculum-aligned learning. Guided by park rangers and students, these immersive audio experiences give classrooms across the country meaningful access to national park history, culture, and stories—regardless of location.
All episodes are freely available through The Walking Classroom website and major podcast platforms. To further expand access, the podcasts will also be included on The Walking Classroom’s audio devices, known as WalkKits, beginning in fall 2026, enabling students to pair movement with learning.
“This project has demonstrated that students don’t have to physically visit a national park to experience its impact,” said Jonathan Wallace, Vice President of Strategic Alliances at Healthier Generation. “By combining storytelling, movement, and learning, we brought these incredible places to life—encouraging young people to explore the outdoors, build healthy habits, and develop a deeper connection to our national parks, wherever they are.”
“The Walking Classroom podcast makes national parks and their stories more accessible to kids, families, and educators, and we’re thrilled to support its growth,” said Tracey Ritchie, Vice President of Education and Engagement with the National Park Foundation. “National parks belong to everyone, and everyone deserves to enjoy and feel connected to them even if they can’t visit.”
Through this initiative, Healthier Generation and the National Park Foundation advance their shared commitment to expanding access to educational resources, promoting health and wellness, and inspiring the next generation to engage with the natural world.
About Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a leading national nonprofit dedicated to advancing equitable whole child health by creating healthier school environments. Since 2005, we’ve partnered with over 58,000 school communities across all 50 states, reaching more than 31.5 million young people. Learn more and join the movement at HealthierGeneration.org, and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About The Walking Classroom
The Walking Classroom is Healthier Generation’s award-winning, evidence-based curriculum education program that supports students’ health and learning. The program allows students and teachers to take a brisk walk while listening to standards-aligned, educational podcasts on a pre-loaded mobile audio device supported by lesson plans, comprehensive quizzes, and supplemental activities. The Walking Classroom increases physical activity, engages different learning styles, addresses learning loss, and builds health literacy.