Junior Ranger programs are a fun way for kids to learn about America’s national parks. We discovered this program when our son was 7 years old, and we went on what we called our “Big Trip”. At the time, we were living in south Florida and family travel took us from Florida to New Mexico, to Arizona, to Utah, to Colorado, then on to Tennessee and then back home. We were on the road for 3 weeks. It was a long trip, but we saw so much of this great country.
Ask about the Junior Ranger program next time you visit a national park.
We homeschool our son so I am always on the look out to find new and interesting ways to teach. While at the Grand Canyon National Park we discovered that the parks offer a Junior Ranger program. The program is for kids ages 4 and up, and the program is free of charge.
To become a Junior Ranger go to the main visitor center and request a Junior Ranger activity booklet. Your child must complete the requirements listed in the booklet (these are age appropriate). The requirements may include drawing something you find in the park, answering simple questions about the park and/or the wildlife and possibly attending one of the Ranger-led programs. After your child finishes the activities, return the booklet to the visitor center to be reviewed by a ranger. Your child will then be awarded an official Junior Ranger certificate and badge. When you show the badge at the park’s bookstore you can also purchase a custom sew-on patch.
Visit the National Park Service website to find the parks that offer the program. If you are a teacher, there is a site to look at curriculum. There is also a Web Ranger site so your child can learn more about our national parks from your home.
Our child received a Junior Ranger badge from every national park we visited that year. He and I had so much fun working on the projects together. At the end of our trip he was so proud of all of his badges that I had to display them in a shadow box.
Many state parks also offer this same program, so check it out next time you go to one of your state parks. Also, if you homeschool, this does qualify as a class and a field trip so don’t hesitate to take off to a local national or state park one day. You don’t always have to stay indoors to have school. The classroom can be anywhere you go! This will be a lesson your child willingly and happily will take part of.
