Last updated: May 2, 2025
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Junior Ranger Field Day at Valley Forge
NPS Graphic
Celebrate Recreation at Valley Forge
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 10 AM to 2 PM
Where: The Visitor Center at Valley Forge
Junior Ranger Field Day is a day of recreation-themed activities celebrating getting outside, connecting to nature, and exercising the body and mind at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
All activities are weather-dependent. The rain date is Sunday, May 11, 2025.
Pick up a Junior Ranger Field Day worksheet in the visitor center, participate in at least four activities (options include running, jumping, art-making, casting with a fishing rod, biking, and birding), and bring your completed worksheet to a park volunteer or ranger in the visitor center.
After you take the Junior Ranger pledge, you’ll earn an extra special Valley Forge Junior Ranger Day badge!
Junior Ranger Field Day Activities
NPS Graphic / G. Purifoy
Event Information, Activity Worksheet Pickup, and Junior Ranger Day Badge
Your first stop for getting oriented at Junior Ranger Field Day! Pick up your activity worksheet and talk to a volunteer or park ranger to help plan your experience.
Once you've participated in at least four Junior Ranger Field Day activities and answered the questions on the worksheet, bring your completed worksheet back here to get your special Valley Forge Junior Ranger Day badge!
Valley Forge Bird Walk
Meet at 10 AM on the sidewalk in front of the Visitor Center at Valley Forge
90-minute walk, binoculars provided, first-come first-served, 20-person limit
Take a walk through the forest and the meadows of Valley Forge with park volunteer Mary Ellen, and look for birds!
Ride With a Ranger
Bring your own bicycles or rent a bike from The Encampment Store. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ride to rent your bikes!
60-minute, one-way ride from the Bike Rental shop to Waynes Woods Picnic Area
Meet at the Bike Rental shop at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM
See Valley Forge on two wheels! Ride with a park ranger from the Bike Rental shop to the Wayne's Woods Picnic Area (about 2 miles distance), making a few short stops along the way to learn about the landscape, history of park, and bicycle safety.
Rabbit Run
On the Mini Grand Parade
How do rabbits get away from predators? Run a zig-zag course and find out how you compare to a rabbit!
Deer Leap
On the Mini Grand Parade
Deer can jump 30 feet in a single leap! How many jumps do you need to make to go the same distance?
Dog Dash
On the Mini Grand Parade
Pet dogs are welcome at Valley Forge if you follow the B.A.R.K. Ranger rules! See if you can run as fast as a dog in this sprinting activity.
Eagle Eye
On the Mini Grand Parade
Eagles and other birds of prey like hawks and falcons have really, really good eyesight so that they can see their food. Look through a spotting scope to see what it might be like to have vision like an eagle!
Create-a-Bird Art Show
At the picnic pavilion near the Mini Grand Parade
Learn about different bird adaptations for beaks, wings, legs, and feet, then use your creativity and some art supplies to build your own bird that's specially adapted to the habitat of your imagination. Hang your finished bird in the pavilion to share!
Casting a Fly
Next to the Theater at Valley Forge, hosted by Valley Forge Trout Unlimited
Did you know that you can go fishing in Valley Creek at Valley Forge National Historical Park? Learn about how to fish safely at Valley Forge and try your hand at casting with a fly fishing rod.