National Junior Ranger Program

We took our daughters to Yosemite on April 26 to participate in the National Junior Ranger Day Program where they explored, learned and protected.

The National Program included one-hour-long ranger-led program that took the kids through demonstrations of four different neighborhoods.

Almost on cue from the Park Ranger, we had the unusual experience of seeing a Mother Brown Bear and her two cubs casually eating berries. The National Park Service wildlife biologists were on-hand with lots of interesting bear-related information and equipment. All of the children got to climb into a bear trap.

The second half was a fun work service project where the children learned more about park restoration efforts. They helped dig out some of the 'weeds' or non-native species, in this case the Vinca plant.

When they were done the children all got to participate in a swearing in ceremony receiving patches, badges and signing the official National Park Junior Ranger book.

Raising Green Kids

The National Junior Ranger Program was a great way to get everyone outside, to get the girls to learn more about the environment and to let them have first-hand experience with park restoration efforts and encouraging them to become Green Kids.

More on the National Junior Ranger Program

You can find out more about the National Junior Ranger Program including which National Parks offer Junior Ranger Programs at the National Park site below.

National Junior Ranger Program.

Yosemite Junior Rangers

In Yosemite, children can become a Yosemite Junior Ranger at any time by purchasing a self-guided booklet published by the Yosemite Association and completing the designated activities.

In order to earn a Junior Ranger patch, the booklet must be completed, a bag of trash collected and a guided program attended.

This booklet is sold at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, Nature Center at Happy Isles (May through September), and Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center (June through September), and Wawona and Big Oak Flat Information Stations (May through September).

More on Yosemite Junior Rangers:

You can find out more about the Yosemite Junior Ranger Program at the Yosemite National Park site link below.

Yosemite's National Junior Ranger Program.