Vintage postcard
Cowboy and friend seek refreshment in the high desert
Pecos is a great family park! The mission church ruins and the hiking trails (Ruins and Civil War Battlefield) provide many opportunities for kids to explore history and nature up close. Children also enjoy the short interpretive talks and walks offered spring through fall, and the Junior Ranger program (see below), which is available all year 'round. Please stop in at the Visitor Center to check current schedules, view the exhibits and watch the park's orientation video.
Pecos soundscape. Did you know there are many sounds from America's other national parks that you might also hear at Pecos National Historical Park? Here are some of them: bald eagle; northern flicker; American robin; thunder; white-crowned sparrow; water; common raven; cannon; and, with luck, rain. With even better luck, you won't hear this or this! Go to this Understanding Sound link to learn more about soundscapes in national parks. And here's an NPS link about protecting the sounds that surround you.
Junior Ranger Program. Free Junior Ranger booklets are available at the Visitor Center. Filled with fun activities, these books reveal the wonders of Pecos to kids and parents alike. By completing five or more exercises, participants earn a "Pecos Junior Ranger" badge. Activities are designed for ages 6 to 12, but anyone is welcome to participate.
Web Rangers. You can also work on being a kid Ranger at school or home by exploring the NPS Web Ranger site, where there are engaging games and fun programs to help you learn all about your National Parks.
The Kids Zone. Follow this National Park Service KidsZone link to find out about WebRangers, in-park Junior Ranger programs, and Park Fun and Activities, feature stories about NPS working dogs and stories written by children whose parents work in parks.
All About Archeology. NPS Archeology for Kids is an educational resource that explains what archeologists do and how they do it--from field crews to zooarcheologists to underwater archeologists--with plenty of interactive opportunities (and video links) for all ages.
