Junior Ranger Programs

We will be visiting the Black Hills area in mid August. I have two boys, ages 7 (nearly 8) and 11 who are both scouts.

How do the Junior Ranger programs work? Do we need reservations? Are they self-guided? Do the kids go off by themselves or do we tag along?

Has anyone had their child participate in these programs and are they worth it?

Junior Ranger Programs

The Junior Ranger programs at National Parks/Monumnents are done on your own. You get a booklet from the rangers, then answer questions and do activities. When done, you hand them in and the kids get a badge/patch.

These are usually free, some parks charge for the booklets.

Junior Ranger Programs

I just spent a week in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming. While there we did about 5 or 6 of the parks and monuments and in each my 11 yr old daughter did the Junior Ranger programs. Each was a different, some required much more investigation than others and they were all great. You pick up the packets at the ranger stations (free - you might want to have pencils with you or you will have to buy them) and there are either individual activities for the child to do (observe/find/draw/puzzle) and some had the option to attend a ranger talk or take part in some activity. My daughter was able to complete a couple in an hour or two and a couple others she couldn%26#39;t finish as we she needed to go to a talk and couldn%26#39;t. At Devils Tower she made us return so she could finish it!!! When they have completed they take the booklets back and get them checked and get a badge or certificate. At Mount Rushmore she actually was sworn in by a ranger which was really great. There is also a passport you can buy in the National Park and when you visit parks around the country they can get a stamp and fill up the passport. These programs are really great and make the visits for children fun and educational - and grown ups learn a lot too.