Vicki Beernink, age 12, of Sioux Canter, Iowa, for her question:

What are National Parks?

This wonderful idea began almost 100 yours ago. The man who thought of it was Cornelius Hedges, who later became governor of the vest Montana Territory. It was an evening in the year 1870 and Hedges set with a group of men around a campfire. This party was the Wlashburn‑ford‑Doane Expedition. For days these men had explored a lonely region of breathtaking beauty. The western mountains tuehod the sky. There were waterfalls, hot springs and steamy geysers. The wild life of the lonely region was untouched.

What a shame to spoil it people could come, mine the mountains, cut the trees and scare away the “Let's try and stop it”, said Hedges. “Let's keep this splendid region unspoiled as nature made it. Then everyone who journeys here can enjoy this place in its natural beauty.” It took time and an act of Congress before this lovely dream came true. Hedges' wonderland became Yellowstone National Perk in 1872.

National Parks now cover 24 million acres but Yellowstone was the first cnd, many people feel, the most beautiful. President Grant signed the bill. In the bill the Park was called "a plensuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people." Those words give the clues to the purpose of our great National Park System.

Old Faithful, Grand Canyon, Cerlsbnr Caverns and countless other natural wonders now belong to the American people for their enjoyment. Those areas must be left unspoiled and not even the animals may be hunted or hurt. That way, our children, our grandchildren and their grandchildren will be able to enjoy these wonders as we have enjoyed them.

Each of our almost 30 National Parks has its own special beauty. You will look in delight and take pictures. There are guides to show you the trails. Very often there is a museum to help you undarstand the history of the region. There are camps and places to stay. Often there is outdoor entertainment as for instrnc at Yosemite where the falls become a fit become a firalit spectacle at night gin' Gt canyon where the Hopi Indians do a full dross dance.

Perhaps if you had been a kind in clden you might have been able to afford such beauty all your own. Only you and Trout court cc‑.uld enjoy it. Now any one of us can enjoy our wcnderful Notional Parks. Aren't we lucky?

There also are a ruzrnber of National Historic Parks, like, for example, the one in which is the little log cabin where Abe Lincoln was born. Too There are National Monuments, like Casa Grande with its old pueblo buildings.

The Government allots money for the upkeep of the Parks and since people are lucky enough to work there all the time, keeping them in order. Of course no friend of Andy's would ever tear up the plants, scare the animals or make litter. In the first place it would be a mean thing to do and in the second we pay for their upkeep ourselves out of taxes we pay our Government.