The Importance the NPS Junior Ranger program

The National Park Service is filled with sites, monuments, and locations of all kinds. These locations and sites often go underfunded and understaffed but still maintain the history and beauty of our nation's past and splendor. As a nation we face increasing environmental, financial, and political challenges. Yet these sites are so important to future generations that may not even understand at this point their value and importance. The one place that we have found in our travels and escapades that enforces this for the younger generations, and even older generations, is the National Parks Service's Junior Ranger Program.

Rundown of the Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger program itself was started in the 1930s in Yosemite National Park. Since then, state parks have adopted their own versions of the program and even other countries such as Japan, Europe, and New Zealand have also adopted federal programs of their own in similar fashions. The Junior Ranger program here in America has evolved itself to include Senior Ranger, Wilderness Explorer, Underwater Ranger, and many more specialized offshoots of the famous original program. The furry family members are even included at many sites in some parks' Bark Ranger or Meow Ranger programs. Activities are done at the park, usually in the form of a workbook. The person completing various levels of the booklets or programs at the parks and sites is given a badge and sworn in as Junior Rangers of the park or site.

Key Principles of the Junior Ranger Program

1. Advocacy: First and foremost is the advocacy of the importance of keeping these sites visited and maintained by simple tasks of picking up trash and adhering to keeping these sites clean and well maintained for all to enjoy. Because sometimes funding may be less than needed, the program helps promote the belief that preservation is all our responsibilities on the lowest level sometimes.

   
   

2. Education: Of course, education is a key principle of the Junior Ranger program with many of the activities spanning all ages and interests so that the site or lands themselves are understood better as to where they may fall in the history of our nation and their importance in this country's heritage and beauty.

   
   

3. Exploration & Wonder: Often the programs at the various parks and sites are what bring generations of all kinds to deeper thought and exploration. Throughout our travels, we have witnessed kids and adults alike asking questions and wanting more information on history and the sites just based off these programs developed by the individual parks.

   
   

4. Comradery: We would be remiss if we didn't talk about the relationships, conversations, and laughter we have shared with not only the National Park Service Rangers and volunteer staff we have met in doing the Junior Ranger Programs, but also the times we've been approached by other visitors while doing our activities.

   
   

Disclaimer and Warning

We have found that starting this Junior Ranger program can quickly become a happy addiction of the greatest benefit. Kasey wasn't exactly the most 'historically fluent' person and has learned so much even through our visits to these parks and doing these programs. I myself always thought I had a better grasp on history and find that I too am always finding out new things about the sites we visit and the history that is contained at these places and highlighted in these activities of the Junior Ranger Programs.

We have seen adults like ourselves going through the programs and activities and so many kids starting their own expeditions and getting sworn in for the first time and handed their first Junior Ranger badges. Honestly, for me though, the best moments are seeing those visitors show up at the parks with their stories, hats, or vests showing their multiple badges and pride in their accomplishments at so many different parks, sites, and locations.

In Conclusion

You can get many of these badges online after doing their activities and programs if offered. But Kasey and I highly recommend getting out to these parks and places and doing them onsite. The feeling you get learning hands-on at these places and standing and swearing in or even just talking to the National Park Service Ranger or volunteers is priceless. And if you have children, GET THEM STARTED NOW! We always talk about how we wish we had done this with our kids earlier and had the conversations that come with discovery and education after a visit. The entire program is gold for families to do together and build togetherness in the Nation's parks, sites, and protected wonders.