Have you visited a national park? Did you know that most parks have a Junior Ranger program? But what is the Junior Ranger program? It’s an activity-based educational program at most national parks for children (designed for ages 5-13, although anyone can participate). By completing the activity book at a national park you can earn a Junior Ranger badge. The activities are geared towards the values in the park system by using the motto “Explore, Learn and Protect”.
You can pick up the Junior Ranger booklet at a park ranger desk usually at a visitors center. The booklet may cost you a couple of dollars. In order to earn a badge, you will need to complete the required activities. Activities can include attending a ranger program, coloring, going on a hike, word searches, and more.
Once you complete the required activities, you take the booklet to a park ranger desk (usually at a visitor center). The park ranger will look over your booklet and ask the child about their activities. Then your child will be sworn in as a Junior Ranger. They will take a pledge to protect our parks and be given a badge with the park name on it.
On our trip over the summer to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, S completed the Junior Ranger program and earned her badges. While she is usually very shy, the park ranger was very sweet and took her time talking to S.
This year for the 100th birthday of our National Park Service, you can also earn a special badge that celebrates the centennial. Be sure to ask, if the park ranger does not give it to your child when they are sworn in.
S has a Junior Ranger hat to place her badges on as she completes more programs. We had a lot of fun completing the Junior Ranger program and cannot wait to visit additional national parks. It made S excited and interested in learning while visiting the park.
Has your child completed the Junior Ranger program at a National Park?
