Junior Ranger Program

A Jr. Ranger Discovery Day Pack with activity booklet is available for loan (at no cost) during visits to the monument. Tools in the back pack include a ruler, magnifying glass, binoculars and identification guides.

A Junior Ranger Activity Booklet is available (for purchase) in our bookstore to help Jr. Rangers to explore Effigy Mounds National Monument, develop an understanding and appreciation of the prehistoric American Indian people that inhabited this area so long ago, experience the natural environment here and along the Upper Mississippi River Valley, and learn about the National Park Service’s mission to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources of the United States.

The activity book contains on-site activities; a certificate and patch is presented upon completion.

Do you know about WebRangers? This program allows you to visit National Parks online. If you love our National Parks, Monuments and Historic Sites visit:

Visit Our NPS National On-line Jr. Ranger Activity Site: WebRangers >>

Junior Ranger NEWS!

Junior Ranger Essay Contest Announced
Winner to Receive Family Vacation and Other Prizes

Essays must be 500 words or less and received on-line or by mail by March 14, 2008.

For English version look below Spanish...

Se Anuncia Competencia de Ensayos de Junior Rangers
Ganador recibirá vacaciones familiares y otros premios

(Washington, DC) – El ganador de la competencia de ensayos de los Junior Rangers del 2008 recibirá un viaje familiar con todos los gastos pagados a uno de los parques nacionales más impresionantes del país y un papel estelar en un paseo electrónico que será visto por millones de escolares en todo el país.

Pueden participar en la competencia de ensayos los niños de 9 a 12 años. Cada persona debe expresar sus ideas sobre “¿Qué puedes hacer ahora para iniciar una nueva etapa a favor del medio ambiente y ayudar a proteger nuestros parques nacionales?”

La directora del Servicio Nacional de Parques (National Park Service) Mary A. Bomar, la Primera Dama Laura Bush y el presidente y CEO de la National Park Foundation Vin Cipolla anunciaron los detalles de la competencia de este año durante una visita reciente al parque nacional Everglades Park en Florida. Antes del anuncio, un grupo de estudiantes de quinto grado de la zona los acompañaron para ayudar a plantar árboles autóctonos como parte de un proyecto de rehabilitación del parque. “Niños de todo el país, como los presentes hoy aquí, están más interesados y participan más en asuntos ambientales que nunca antes”, dijo Bomar. “Pueden marcar la diferencia, tanto ahora como en el futuro, en el impacto de los seres humanos en la naturaleza. No veo la hora de escuchar todas las ideas maravillosas que saldrán de esta competencia de ensayos”.

El premio mayor recibirá un viaje para cuatro personas a Everglades National Park, donde podrá ser parte de un paseo electrónico sobre especies invasivas en los parques nacionales. El premio incluye transporte aéreo de ida y vuelta, alquiler de auto, alojamiento en hotel, comidas pagadas, un vale de compras por $1,000 en Macy’s, y un pase a los parques nacionales y campos federales de recreo de America the Beautiful.

Los ensayos deben tener 500 palabras o menos, y deben recibirse por Internet o correo el 14 de marzo de 2008, a más tardar. Se juzgará cada contribución en base a originalidad, claridad y entendimiento del tema. Hay información adicional sobre la competencia en www.nps.gov.

Junior Ranger Essay Contest Announced

Winner to Receive Family Vacation and Other Prizes

(Washington, DC) – The winner of this year’s 2008 Junior Ranger essay contest will receive an all expense paid family vacation to one of the country’s most remarkable national parks and a starring role in an electronic field trip seen by millions of school children across the country.

The essay contest is open to children between 9 and 12 years old. Each person must express his or her thoughts on “What can you do now to turn over a new leaf for the environment and help preserve our national parks?”

National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar, First Lady Laura Bush, and National Park Foundation President and CEO Vin Cipolla announced the details of this year’s contest during a recent visit to Everglades National Park in Florida. A group of local 5th graders joined them to help plant native trees in a park restoration project prior to the announcement. “Children throughout the country, like those here today, are more interested and involved in environmental issues than ever before,” said Bomar. “They can make a difference, both now and in the future, on the impact of humans on the land. I can’t wait to hear all of the wonderful ideas that will come from this essay contest.”

The grand prize winner will receive a trip for four to Everglades National Park where he or she will appear in an electronic field trip about invasive species in national parks. The prize includes round trip air transportation, car rental, hotel accommodations, meal expenses, a $1,000 Macy’s shopping spree, and an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass. 

Essays must be 500 words or less and received on-line or by mail by March 14, 2008. Each entry will be judged on originality, clarity, and understanding of the issue. Additional contest information is available at www.nps.gov.