CALLING ALL MILITARY WILD KIDDOS!
Heading out for your end-of-the-summer outdoor adventure and want to get the kiddos excited about learning before they head back to school? Planning next year's PCS roadtrip and *hoping* you can sanely keep the kiddos engaged? Ooorrrr cozied inside on a rainy day and desperate to entertain the kids with anything but that show with the singing animals?
We got you! Here's how your #WildChild can learn, explore, and become a National Park Junior Ranger.
From the National Park Service:
Explore. Learn. Protect.
"The NPS Junior Ranger program is an activity based program conducted in almost all parks, and some Junior Ranger programs are national. Many national parks offer young visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service "family" as Junior Rangers. Interested youth complete a series of activities during a park visit, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger patch and Junior Ranger certificate. Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 to 13, although people of all ages can participate."
Many of the booklets and activity pages are now available ONLINE! Junior Rangers can learn about the history and agriculture that make each of our National Parks special. When finished with the a Junior Ranger books, kiddos receive the official corresponding Junior Ranger Badge for their collection.
QUICK TIP:
Be sure to check the National Park Service's website for any temporary closures or limited hours before you load up and head out!
If your Visitor Center is open, stop in there first, ask a Ranger for the Junior Ranger booklet, and fill it out as you explore the National Park. Once completed, the Ranger will go over the booklet and present your #WildChild with a badge and a signed Junior Ranger certificate!
If the Visitor Center is not open, just print the booklet and send it in to receive your badge.
Looking for adventures your kiddos can take on at home or on the road?
Here's a roundup of Online National Park Junior Ranger programs
Programs and special events offer junior ranger books to engage visitors at an early age. Check out these special interest books that you can download and do at home or at your favorite park!
*Living in or visiting Washington state? Check out this list of Junior Ranger programs at WA National Parks!
