Blue Star Families
Military Families Outdoors focuses on promoting the health and wellness of active-duty Department of Defense (DOD) military service members and their families through positive engagement experiences with national parks, public lands, and waterways. These experiences promote healthy lifestyle habits and inspire families to become environmental stewards of national parks.
This partnership between the National Park Service and the DOD Defense Health Agency aims to address public health issues, provide a continuum of park-based health activities, empower families to independently enjoy the benefits of nature, and build capacity for sustainable programming.
Military Families Outdoors Events
Blue Star Families, Armed Services YMCA, YMCA of the USA, Wilderness Inquiry, and The Center for Health and Nature coordinated Military Families Outdoors opportunities in the program's pilot year in 2024.Visit Blue Star Families to View MFO Events in 2025
About Blue Star Families
The National Park Service awarded Military Families Outdoors funding for 2024 and 2025 programming to Blue Star Families. The organization was selected from all applications to the Military Families Outdoors Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.
With approximately 275,000 members in their Blue Star Families network, including in chapters and communities all over the world, the organization reaches more than 1.5 million military family members each year.
Blue Star Families also receives National Park Service funding for their Outdoor Explorers for All program, which seeks to improve the health and wellness of active-duty military families through positive engagement experiences with public lands. The program encourages healthy lifestyle habits and educates families on becoming environmental stewards of national parks The program aims to engage 100 military families annually in exploration of fishing opportunities at national parks.
Last updated: October 8, 2024