National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Effigy Mounds National MonumentKids at fire Point Overlook
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Effigy Mounds National Monument
For Kids
Strix the Wonder Owl and Kids at HawkWatch

NPS Photo by Ken Block

Strix the Wonder Owl and Friends at HawkWatch

> Calendar of Events pdf
> Schedule of Events Web Page
>
Annual HawkWatch Weekend Page

Jr. Ranger Programs
Special Kids Educational Activities

Kids activities are planned throughout the year. Please check our calendar of events for details. Annual events such as HawkWatch and Children’s Archeology Day offer hands on activities for the entire family. Kids can also become a Jr. Ranger!

 
JR ranger Poster 08 Lg
> Junior Ranger Saturdays
 
Effigy Mounds Offers Exciting Junior Ranger Activities

Summer (2009) - Every Saturday*

* Some weekend large scale special events will impact our ability to offer "exclusive" Jr. Ranger activities. On those weekends, the Jr. Ranger activity will be described as such - families and children are encouraged to simply experience the events and interact with program presenters and rangers on duty.

Like our other advertised programs, engaging in an activity is a public event; we do not reserve special tours for groups, families or individuals during the summer.

Groups planning to visit and participate in a scheduled activity are welcome to call ahead to provide a "heads up" to our staff. However, a "heads up" is just that and does not constitute a "reserved ranger guided program" for the group.

The Jr. Ranger Activity Booklet is always available to use - any day or everyday.

Effigy Mounds National Monument presents annual summer Junior Ranger Programs. Events for children interested in the National Park Junior Ranger program will be scheduled throughout the summer. Most weeks the participants will be invited to learn something different about our natural world, American Indian culture, and the national park system.

* Here comes the sun...

...the summer is normally indicated by the summer solstice when the Sun is usually at its greatest declination on June 20 or 21, the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Please check the "Schedule of Events" link for specific dates, including "summer" date ranges, and times programs are offered.

2009 Jr. Ranger Saturday Programs:

July 4th
60th Anniversary Coloring Contest

July 11th
American Indian Heritage Celebration
(Join us to see traditional Native American crafters.)

July 18th
Animal Tracks and Trails

July 25th
Petroglyphs and Rock Painting

August 1st
Bird Calls

August 8th
Scavenger Hunt

August 15th
Frogs and Toads

August 22nd
Children’ s Archeology Day

The children will have an opportunity to earn National Park badges, patches, and certificates along with learning more about the world that surrounds them.

 
EFMO_Children's_Archeology_Day

NPS Photo by ken Block

Family Archeology Day Sandbox Dig

Kids Activity Pictures:

Family Archeology Day

Sandbox dig

 

 
Family Archeology Day Sandbox Dig

NPS Photo by ken Block

Family Archeology Day Sandbox Dig

Family Archeology Day

Sandbox dig

 
kids dissecting owl pellets

NPS Photo by Ken Block

Kids Dissecting Owl Pellets at HawkWatch

HawkWatch Weekend

Dissecting owl pellets

 
Demonstration bald eagle nest at HawkWatch

NPS Photo by Ken Block

Demonstration bald eagle nest at HawkWatch

HawkWatch Weekend

Demonstration bald eagle nest

Bird Mounds: Effigy Mounds National Monument today - is a sacred site to many American Indians.  

Did You Know?
Effigy Mounds National Monument is located in territory that was hotly contested by Indians and the American government. In 1832, the U.S. forced the Sauk and Fox tribes to cede land south of the “Neutral Ground” along the Mississippi River, which included the lands of the present National Monument.

Last Updated: June 29, 2009 at 16:50 EST