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Here is a sampling of the different passes offered to national parks across the country. For more information, visit the National Park Foundation Web site.

National Parks Pass
This $50 annual pass covers entrance fees to all national parks and is active for one year from the month of purchase. Proceeds from sales of these passes support National Park Service priority projects. Admission to each park is provided for the pass signee and accompanying passengers in a private vehicle, or for parks charging per-person, the pass signee, spouse, children and parents. More information is available at Discovery Store.

Golden Eagle
A Golden Eagle hologram may be purchased for $15 and affixed to the National Park Pass, covering entrance fees at national parks as well as sites managed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U. S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The Golden Eagle expires when the pass it is affixed to expires. The Golden Eagle provides admission for the pass signee and accompanying passengers in a private vehicle, or for parks charging per-person, the pass signee, spouse, children and parents. More information is available at www.nationalparks.org.

Golden Age Passport
This lifetime entrance pass to all national parks is available to citizens and permanent residents of the United States age 62 or older. The Golden Age Passport provides admission for the pass signee and accompanying passengers in a private vehicle, or for parks charging per-person, the pass signee, spouse, children and parents. This passport also provides a 50 percent discount on facilities and service fees such as camping, parking, swimming, boat launching and tours. In some cases, only the pass signee will receive the discount. A $10 processing fee is charged to obtain the pass. All passes must be purchased in person with proof of age at a federal area (National Park, Historic Site, Wildlife Refuge, etc.). More information is available at www.nationalparks.org.

Golden Access Passport
This passport is a lifetime entrance pass to all national parks and is available to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are blind or permanently disabled. The Golden Access Passport provides admission for the pass signee and accompanying passengers in a private vehicle, or for parks charging per-person, the pass signee, spouse, children and parents. This passport also provides a 50 percent discount on facilities and service fees such as camping, parking, swimming, boat launching and tours. In some cases, only the pass signee will receive the discount. These passes must be purchased in person with proof of medical disability at a federal area. The Golden Access Passport is free. More information is available at www.nationalparks.org.

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The National Park Service offers a host of educational opportunities throughout the park system. Here are a few to consider.

Tools for Learning
Have you always had a yen to learn more about cartography? Or are you a Civil War buff itching to experience the camp life of soldiers? The National Park Service provides a variety of educational programs, from the role of African Americans in the Park Service to museum exhibitions at American Revolutionary War parks. These programs may be available through distance learning programs, a directory, a database, a case study, a lesson plan, a teacher's handbook, an illustrated guideline and various other formats. For more information visit www.cr.nps.gov/toolsfor.htm.

Tools for Teachers
America's national parks are easily transformed into living classrooms, and the National Park Service provides diverse opportunities for teachers seeking a creative way to instruct their classes. The NPS' Teacher Workshops, such as "Environmental Education in the Arts," help teachers take advantage of a park's natural resources while creating math, science and even history lessons. These accredited workshops can often be taken for college credit. The program Teaching With Historic Places allows teachers to utilize the National Register of Historic Places in conjunction with resources and activities to help bring lessons to life through historic places. The popular Parks As Classrooms (PAC) program offers teachers material such as curriculum-based education programs, videos, workshops, traveling trunks and kits and resource guides to help them give their classes on- and off-site learning opportunities. The PAC programs are developed by the NPS in conjunction with nearby school districts, and their content is consistent with existing curriculums. More information is available at www.nps.gov.

Junior Ranger Programs
Witnessing the grandeur of America's national parks has inspired many children to someday work in the outdoors. These youths now have the opportunity to be one step closer to their dreams with the NPS-sponsored Junior Ranger programs. Many national parks offer these programs to young visitors who complete a series of activities - collecting a bag of litter, answering workbook questions and sharing their answers and experiences with a park ranger - ultimately earning an official Junior Ranger badge or patch and Junior Ranger certificate. More information is available at http://www.nps.gov/learn/grrangerzone/ranger.htm.

Ranger-Led Programs
Whether it's a geology talk at Yellowstone or a sunset canoe trip in the Everglades, a ranger-led program will expose visitors to wonders of our parks that may otherwise go unnoticed. The NPS offers a variety of these programs, including guided walks and talks, video presentations, publications, and evening activities that will enrich the average park-goer, making him or her aware of nature's hidden treasures.

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The National Park Service can only surmise whether the effects of Sept. 11 on tourists' travel habits will affect attendance at our national parks this summer. However, park experts have made predictions that may be helpful to keep in mind while planning your visit. In the months following Sept. 11, the parks experienced a noted decrease in attendance, particularly from international visitors, and although attendance is expected to increase during the summer months, it seems an overall decrease in visitors can be expected.

According to Rich Weideman, chief of public affairs for the National Park Service, park officials predict that international travelers' attendance will be down 10 to 15 percent this summer, while national travelers' attendance will be down approximately 10 percent. In contrast, attendance of regional visitors (those who live within a half-day to one-day drive away) is expected to increase, though not enough to offset the loss of national and international tourism. Due to the increase in regional travel, this summer's visitors should also take into consideration the possibility of record attendance at the parks on individual federal holidays, such as Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.

Weideman recommends that visitors still plan their trips well in advance, treating the high season (May 15 through Sept. 15) like any other summer by booking park lodging, tours and tickets well in advance, particularly at icons parks such as Yosemite. "It's wise to check your trip well in advance," stresses Weideman. "See what tickets you can buy online, will there be special activities going on? Will you want to attend (these activities) or avoid their crowds?" Visitors should also consider the likelihood of commemorative Sept. 11 events taking place this coming September. The best bet for visitors is to consult the National Park Service's Web site, which offers information on purchasing tickets, special events and area park closings.

Security measures at the national parks have been heightened since September's tragedy, though park visitors should not observe any noticeable effects on their trips. As Weideman indicated, increased security measures are discrete, though in full effect at all times - for instance, more security staff have been redistributed into various park icon areas as an added precaution.