Junior Ranger Patrol

How Your Kids Can Learn About Our National Parks

By Alice Cary

Millions of kids visit our national parks every year, but how many of them actually learn something?

A great way to add some educational focus to your child's visit—in a fun way, of course—is with the National Park Service's Junior Ranger Program.

Many national parks offer educational activity books filled with park-specific facts and fun for kids of various ages. Rangers review the completed books and ask youngsters a few questions about what they've learned.

Last summer our six-year-old son, Will, and his seven-year-old buddy Mike presented their books to a ranger at a Yellowstone National Park Visitor Center. The place was abuzz with people and activity, but after chatting with the boys, the ranger spoke over the loudspeaker: "May I have your attention please. We'd like everyone to recognize our two newest Junior Rangers."

The boys were initiated in a short but rather official ceremony. They proudly accepted their Junior Ranger patches, which can be sewn onto jackets or other clothing.

How can you make this happen for your child?

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Last Updated: 7 Nov 2011
Published: 28 Apr 2002
The details, dates, and prices mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication.