Kids & Youth

Junior Ranger Program
Ranger Kelly and a group of proud Junior Rangers

NPS Photo

 

Kids love Wrangell-St. Elias!
There are millions of acres of mountains, glaciers, wildlife, old mines, and adventure to explore. If you can't actually visit the park, you can have fun and learn about this very special place by clicking on some of these links...

 
wooden junior ranger badge

Become a Junior Ranger!

Find out how to become a junior ranger and earn a badge, whether you are visiting the park, learning in a classroom or at home!

 
Junior Ranger Badge template
Junior Ranger Badge template

Create Your Own Badge

Right-click on the badge template to 'save image as', download, print it and get creative!
 
arrowhead template
National Park Service Arrowhead symbol

Create Your Own Arrowhead

Right-click on the arrowhead template to 'save image as', download, print it and create your own national park symbol!
 
Junior Paleontologist book cover

Junior Paleontologist Activity Booklet

EXPLORE the ways that paleontologists work, and the methods and tools they use to understand ancient life.

LEARN about Earth's history, ancient plants and animals, and changes to past climate and environments.

PROTECT our national parks, including fossils and the rocks in which they are found.


Download the Jr Paleontologist activity booklet (pdf format, 38 MB) at the website www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/junior-paleontologist.htm

 
Jr Underwater Explorer

Junior Underwater Explorer Activity Booklet

This booklet is full of fun activities to help you discover what is underwater. Dive with us as we explore different environments, animals, and the people who work beneath the surface. Everyone can earn a Junior Underwater Explorer badge, so complete as many activities as you can. Ask your parents or siblings to go through the booklet so you can learn together!

DOWNLOAD the booklet online at Jr Ranger Underwater Explorer (National Park Service website)

To receive a Junior Ranger Underwater Explorer badge, present your signed booklet to a participating National Park Visitor Center near you or mail it to:
National Park Service,
Submerged Resources Center: Junior Ranger
12795 W. Alameda Pkwy
Lakewood, CO 80228

 
Junior Angler booklet cover
 
animals and tracks in nature

Wrangell-St. Elias Coloring Activity

Check out our coloring pages sketched by Alaskan Artist Jona Van Zyle. Wrangell-St. Elias hosted renowned Alaskan Artists, Jon and Jona Van Zyle in 2006 as Artists-In-Residence. Jona's beautiful drawings reflect her passion for wild places like Wrangell-St. Elias. You can be creative and learn more about Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve by dowloading and coloring these beautiful drawings.

Wrangell-St. Elias Coloring pages 1 - 6 (pdf format 5.4 MB)

 
Digital depiction of a lake darner dragonfly USFWS Sara Wolman
Digital depiction of a lake darner dragonfly

Sara Wolman / USFWS

Dazzling Dragonflies and Damselflies

What is the difference?
Dragonflies (suborder Epiprocta) are usually larger, with eyes together and wings up or out at rest.

Damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) are usually smaller with eyes placed apart and wings along their body at rest.

Dragonflies, the official Alaska state insect, and Damselflies are often found around lakes and ponds hovering or perched on a long blade of grass at water’s edge. Alaska’s major groups include the Skimmers (whitefaces and king skimmers), Darners, Emeralds, Narrow-winged Damselflies (bluets) and Spreadwing Damselflies.

Learn more and read the article by Sara Wolman, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge:


Right-click on the coloring pages below to save and download so you can print and color!

 
Dragonfly life cycle page 1

Sara Wolman / USFWS

Dragonfly life cycle coloring page 1

 
Dragonfly lifecycle coloring page 2

Sara Wolman / USFWS

Dragonfly life cycle coloring page 2

 
youth running through a field outside

National parks are great places to explore anything kids can imagine. Go on an outdoor adventure. Walk in the footsteps of famous people. Take in unique scenery. Explore new interests. Experience real places you may have only heard about. But most of all, national parks are places where you can have fun and create memories that last a lifetime. More information about Kids in Parks.

Fourth Graders Get a Free Pass to explore, learn, and recreate in spectacular settings, including national parks, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, and forests!

Every Kid Outdoors connects fourth graders and their families to public lands. Complete a fun activity and get your voucher for free admission today.

Last updated: February 22, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
PO Box 439
Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway

Copper Center, AK 99573

Phone:

907 822-5234

Contact Us