Junior Rangers

Inviting the youngest park visitors to become a member of the National Park Service family, the Junior Ranger program gives kids and families the opportunity to uniquely explore and learn about their national parks, and how they can help protect them today and into the future.

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.

View a complete list of Junior Ranger participating parks »

Junior Ranger Essay Contest

The Junior Ranger Essay Contest helps America’s youth discover the value of conservation and preservation by encouraging them to share their big ideas for protecting our national parks. National parks are the perfect places to explore nature, discover exciting animals and plants, learn about our shared history, and have fun in the outdoors. These special places need everyone’s help to remain America’s greatest treasures.

The 2010 Junior Ranger Essay Contest has come to an end. Thank you to everyone who wrote an essay!
Read the winning essays from the 2009 Junior Ranger Essay Contest here »

The 2010 Junior Ranger Essay Contest is sponsored by the National Park Foundation in partnership with Merrell.