Washington NPS Junior Ranger Programs for Your #WildChild
Hey military fams in the Evergreen State! Megan, one of your Washington Ambassadors, here to share a rad National Park program for your #WildChild!
Did you know that your kiddo can have fun learning and exploring on their way to becoming 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."
Here's a roundup of Washington's National Park Junior Ranger programs:
(And a bonus in northern Oregon!)
Ebeys Landing National Historical Reserve | Coupeville, Washington
Fort Vancouver | Vancouver, Washington
Fort Vancouver Junior Ranger Program
Klondike Gold Rush | Seattle, Washington
Klondike Gold Rush Junior Ranger Program
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area | Coulee Dam, Washington
Contact the Visitor Center (509-754-7830) to arrange to pick up your packet.
Lewis and Clark National Historic Park | Long Beach, Washington
Lewis and Clark Junior Ranger Program
Manhattan Project | Hanford, Washington
Minidoka National Historic Site | Japanese Exclusion - Bainbridge Island Memorial
Mount Rainier
Citizen Ranger Quests - Geared toward older kids, ages 12+!
Nez Perce National Historical Park | Joseph, Oregon
North Cascades | Marblemount, Washington
North Cascades Junior Ranger Program - Email them for a booklet
Olympic National Park | Port Angeles, Washington
San Juan Island | Friday Harbor, Washington
If you're stuck inside on a stormy day, hitting the road, or just need more at-home adventures, the NPS also has Junior Ranger programs that you can download and do at home or at your favorite park!
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.