The Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Program Brings BSA Scouts and National Parks Together

After attending a National Park Summer Camp, completing eight Junior Ranger programs, attending the National Park Service Virtual Campout and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park’s Summer Camp, William Kai received his certificate and patch for the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Award. Certificates and patches are awarded at participating national park sites.

Photo courtesy of Cynthia Curley-Obrero

Of all the wonderful ways that the National Park Service (NPS) can help us get to know our natural, cultural, and historical wonders, one important aspect is community building. To connect more youth to their local communities, NPS created the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Program in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America, which welcomes boys, girls, and young adults to participate. Through this program, BSA Scouts and Cub Scouts can earn award certificates and may also receive special patches for completing at least ten hours as a participant in the program. The program provides these participants the opportunity to explore and learn about their national parks through educational and volunteer service projects that protect our natural and cultural resources. The Scout Ranger Program extends the connection beyond traditional recreational activities, such as hiking, camping, and respect for nature by encouraging scouts to learn what makes a national park important, not only to the country, but to themselves, and to their communities.

Cynthia Curley-Obrero, the Webelos Den Leader for the Atlanta Area Council’s Pack 540, shared her thoughts on how increasing awareness of this program would foster a greater sense of community between Scouts, Cub Scouts, and their public lands. She noted that, “The National Park Service supports much of what Scouting encourages: respect and appreciation for our natural environment and the animals who live there; an understanding of our past; how we fit into the present; what we want in our future; and support for our communities, large and small. The Scout Ranger Program encourages each individual to take initiative to learn about their surroundings and then act upon what they have learned in a positive way. It’s a perfect complement to the Scouting experience.”

William Kai participated in several Junior Ranger programs, including at Yosemite National Park and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Photo courtesy of Cynthia Curley-Obrero

There are a variety of ways for Scouts of all ages to fulfill the program requirements that involve active participation in activities, adventuring, recreating, learning, and having fun. Through this program, Scouts build their own connections with their national parks as they interact with park rangers, mentors, people with similar interests, and the natural environment. Cub Scouts (youth in kindergarten through fifth grade), can fulfill their requirements by learning about their national parks through Junior Ranger Programs, tours of the parks and their museums, hiking the trails, or volunteering for a park’s community service day. The program takes older scouts (sixth through twelfth grade) several steps further by also giving them the opportunity to gain hands on experience into how a park is run, what it protects, and what it means to provide stewardship for the land and preservation for the history within its borders. Scout Ranger projects for the older scout can include activities, such as volunteering hours to maintain trails or buildings, digitizing museum records, or monitoring animal activity and behavior. Before beginning their Scout Ranger adventure, Scouts can choose to brainstorm their own ideas that can help their local park, and then discuss them with a Park Ranger to receive approval. Park Rangers are also available to give ideas on how a Scout can help their particular park the most. The hours for all participants are recorded and approved by a Park Ranger. While participation in the Scout Ranger Program is separate from the Eagle Scout Program, it can complement the program and add value to the success of an Eagle Scout.

William Kai swearing in as a Junior Ranger
at Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Photo courtesy of Cynthia Curley-Obrero

One committed Cub Scout participated in both in-person and virtual programs to earn his certificate and patch award during the COVID-19 pandemic. William Kai Curley-Obrero, from Atlanta Area Council’s Cub Scout Pack 540, began working on his award by earning a Junior Ranger badge when he visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in February 2020. In March of 2020, the country shut down due to the pandemic. This did not stop William Kai from continuing his pursuit for collecting the Scout Ranger patch. He decided to pick up the pace when he learned he could attend virtual camps and earn Junior Ranger badges online. He attended the NPS Virtual Campout hosted by Biscayne National Park and participated in the Junior Ranger Virtual Summer Camp put on by Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Learning about these parks led to an even greater curiosity. He went on to earn a Junior Ranger badge for the national Junior Cave Scientist Program, in addition to badges from several parks: Yellowstone National Park, Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Aztec Ruins National Monument, and Yosemite National Park. At Aztec Ruins National Monument, he shared: "I love how the Aztec people made their own clothes, musical instruments, beds, food, and a lot more. I want to try making a conch shell horn." Earning the Junior Cave Scientist badge was also particularly exciting because "It was awesome to learn about how caves were formed, the features of caves like stalagmites and stalactites, and the bats that live in them," he said.

William Kai showing Junior Ranger badges earned: Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park; Trail of Tears National Historic Trail; Glacier Bay National Park; Yosemite National Park; Aztec Ruins National Monument; Yellowstone National Park; Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

Photo courtesy of Cynthia Curley-Obrero

When William Kai was asked why he wanted to earn the Scout Ranger Award patch, he explained, “I like national parks because you can see so much natural beauty, the animals, and scientific wonders. They are beautiful. [National] Historic Sites are interesting because you can learn a lot about history and how history changed because of the actions of people.” He went on to say, “Other people should do it [the program] because it’s a fun way to learn about natural beauty, history, and science.” His big takeaway is a sentiment that is so common among those who have taken time to learn, wander, or volunteer in our national parks: “I want to keep going to national parks to learn more and see more beautiful things. I won’t ever forget the beauty in our parks.”

To learn how you can earn the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Award certificate and patch, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/youthprograms/scout-ranger.htm. Brainstorm some potential activities you can do in any of over 400 park sites, then contact a Park Ranger to develop a plan. Five hours must be completed to receive a certificate and ten hours for a certificate and patch. Most importantly, go out to the park and have a great time. Once you have completed your hours, please mail the signed activity tracking sheet to the park where you participated, or e-mail us with the document, and we will help you get your award certificate and patch (if applicable). If you have any questions about the general requirements to get your patch, please feel free to email us and look at our official Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Program page. Please note this program is different from the Girl Scout Ranger Program, though you are welcome to participte in that program as well.

Get in touch! Please e-mail us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @NPSYouth and use #NPSYouth to share your experience with us! Visit our page to find the many opportunities for youth and young adults to get involved with our parks.