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From the Desk of Olympic National Park:
Children of all ages are invited to bring their favorite adult to National Junior Ranger Day at Olympic on Saturday, April 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Olympic’s Junior Ranger Day will take place at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center located at 3002 Mount Angeles Road in Port Angeles.
“Junior Ranger Day is one of our favorite annual events,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum. “This year, it kicks off National Park Week, with free admission to all park entrances from April 16 through 24.”
At Junior Ranger Day, children accompanied by an adult can participate in a wide variety of free activities including ranger-guided walks, craft projects, and outdoor games. There will also be a wilderness “campsite,” search and rescue equipment, and emergency service vehicles for hands-on exploration, microscopes for a up-close look at insects, and the Children’s Discovery Room will be open for play.
Volunteers with the Back Country Horsemen of Washington Olympic Peninsula Chapter will bring their animals and will offer several demonstrations throughout the day on how to safely share trails among hikers, bikers, and stock. Junior rangers will have opportunities to meet the animals and perhaps feed them a carrot if they’re brave enough.
“Sanctuary Sam” from the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary will also be there to welcome kids to a simulated tidepool where they can learn more about how the park and the sanctuary work together to protect the Olympic Peninsula’s Pacific coast.
Olympic’s Junior Ranger program is a year-round way for children and families to experience and enjoy the park. Children can complete the Olympic National Park Junior Ranger activity booklet, attend a ranger program and explore park nature trails to earn a Junior Ranger badge and certificate. They also have the opportunity to participate in the Ocean Stewards program and complete a hands-on activity booklet to earn an Ocean Stewards patch.
For more information on Olympic’s Junior Ranger Day, please visit http://www.nps.gov/olym/learn/kidsyouth/beajuniorranger.htm
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