What is the Junior Ranger Program?
The Junior Ranger program is an awesome way to turn your visit into an educational opportunity for you and your kids. When Otto received a patch and a Junior Ranger badge from a ranger on the Star Train in Ely, NV my son was thrilled and it peaked both of our interest. Just as every kid loves a badge sticker from the fire station or local law enforcement, Junior Ranger badges give kids the sense of having agency and achievement. Being recognized for your knowledge and effort is very fun.
At most parks, you can get a printed Junior Ranger booklet from any visitor center. Usually they are free, but at some parks that get a lot of traffic, booklets do cost a small fee (I think the only park we have visited that charged was the Grand Canyon and the cost was about $5/booklet). All you have to do is ask for the booklet from the ranger on duty!
Why is the Junior Ranger Program great for kids?
This program is great and adaptable for kids of all ages and abilities. The booklets are filled with a mix of educational activities specific to the park you are visiting. Some are creative in nature; other pages focus on safety, science, or conservation topics. At Death Valley, Otto had to draw a new desert creature that had an adaptation to survive in that environment. He drew a “Bunaroo” that was part rabbit, part rooster with a kangaroo rat tail. He still draws these mythical creatures to this day.
I love scavenger hunt type pages where it challenges you to find different things around the park. Some topics get repeated from park to park, but it’s all good information (e.g. stay on the trails, leave no trace, bring water with you on hikes!). Otto definitely earned his Bryce Canyon Junior Ranger badge when he told off a group that was feeding squirrels. He was aghast that anyone didn’t KNOW not to feed the wildlife!
Some parks require you to attend a ranger-led program. Though it can be a scramble to find one, I recommend them. Rangers are SO FULL of knowledge, and I always learn something from them. The ranger-led program in Zion we went to was on bats and it was fascinating!!!
When you have completed your booklet, you can return to the visitor center (or sometimes other ranger locations) and be sworn in and receive your badge! I love taking pictures of Otto getting sworn in receiving his Junior Ranger badge. Each park has their own unique badge, and rangers do a great job chatting with kids about what they learned and saw in the park. These badges are some of our favorite souvenirs – and they are free (or very cheap).
If you’d like more information on the Junior Ranger program check the site of the park you are going to, or check out this NPS site that has some frequently asked questions.
