Getting the Kids Involved: The Junior Ranger Program of the National Parks
Our National Parks provide an incredible and unaltered view into the natural landscape and wildlife throughout America. While so many of us love to view flora and fauna as we explore the parks, we can all (yes, parents too!) learn more about these protected lands through the incredible Junior Ranger Program.
Working on a Junior Ranger book at Capitol Reef National Park
The Junior Ranger Program is offered at every National Park (even including Gates of the Arctic National Park), and allows kids and adults to learn about the park through the park-specific activity book.
The fun, colorful, and informative Junior Ranger Activity Books
The Junior Ranger program is completely free at most National Parks, although some require a small fee. Additionally, the program is available not only at our National Parks, but also most any land protected by the National Parks Service.
Two new Junior Rangers receiving their Badge at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
The program is designed for children between the ages of 5-13, but is open to anyone- young and old, who would like to learn about and become more involved in protecting our National Parks. To obtain your Junior Ranger activity book, head to a visitor center within the park to request your Junior Ranger activity book from the information desk. The Park Rangers will provide any additional instructions on how many pages need to be completed (usually age specific), as well as offering a glimpse into the badge or patch you will receive once the book is complete!
The highly coveted Junior Ranger Badges and Patches of our National Parks
The National Park Service also offers the ability to download the Junior Ranger book from the NPS Junior Ranger website. This is a great option for those visiting a park during the off-season when visitor centers may be closed. The completed book can then be mailed to the park, which will then send the Junior Ranger Badge to the newly appointed Junior Ranger!
Taking the Junior Ranger Oath at Zion National Park
In addition to the Junior Park Ranger Program, the NPS also offers a variety of other Junior Ranger programs available in select parks. Some of these, such as the Junior Paleontologist, Dark Skies Explorer, and Junior Archeologist span across multiple parks and can be started at one location and completed in another!
Junior Park Rangers at Dry Tortugas National Park
While the difficulty of the activities within the Junior Ranger Activity Book varies from park to park, the enjoyment in completing the book and the reward of the prestigious Junior Ranger Badge is always worth it!
The Mammoth Cave National Park Junior Ranger Station
On your next visit to a National Park, be sure to stop by the visitor center and ask for a Junior Ranger book! If you are 4 years old or 99 years old, the Junior Ranger Program provides a fun and informative way to explore our great National Parks!