In most of the National Parks we have visited, the kids have participated in the Junior Ranger program, which I highly recommend. When you arrive at the National Park Visitor’s Center, ask someone where you can get the information about the Junior Rangers. They will give you a booklet to complete, with all of the tasks that need to be accomplished before returning to a Visitor’s Center and claiming your badge (free souvenir…score!). The kids may be asked to raise their hands and repeat after the Ranger (hint: this is a cute photo op).
I will happily force encourage my kids to participate in these programs because I learned so much more than I would have if they hadn’t. The booklets will give you information about the local plants and animals, and fun facts about the parks. I have found these to be more useful than many of the guidebooks I have read! Because of these programs, we participated in Ranger-led hikes, watched informative films, listened to Ranger talks (who knew dolphins aren’t actually smiling?!?!), and learned about native cultures and traditions.
Plus it is just really nice family bonding time, and who can argue with that?
According to their website:
“There are currently over 200 Junior Ranger Programs in the National Park Service. In each of these parks, kids interview Rangers, complete games, and answer questions about the park and the National Park Service. At the end of their experience in the park, they are sworn in as Junior Rangers and receive a special certificate and official Junior Ranger badge.”
This is yet another example of how travel can be both educational and fun. At times the kids didn’t even realize that they were learning something! I love relaxing days on the beach as much as the next vacationer, but I also try building in some educational travel on our trips, especially on a long vacation. I’m not going to pretend that the kids always go with the travel flow as much as I want them to, but the Junior Ranger program is one that we generally all agree is very worthwhile.
xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:trackback="http://madskills.com/public/xml/rss/module/trackback/">[…] 12,000 feet, stopping along the way at various outlooks and hiking spots. The kids completed the Junior Ranger program, which I highly recommend as a way to force your kid to do something educational while on […]
[…] but it’s best to know their limits and plan accordingly. The also participated in the Junior Ranger program and earned their […]
[…] we go to a National Park, we usually force our kids (their words) to participate in the Junior Ranger program. I mean, life can’t be all about fun, can it? Truthfully they end up getting a lot […]
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Oh my we are definitely on the same wavelength. We live near Great Falls National Park where my daughter attended a free week-long camp sponsored by the Junior Ranger program. They have a display case in the nature center featuring all the badges kids can collect. So many national parks and wildlife refuges have fun activity guides for kids. Who knew?
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