Lets Move Outside Junior Rangers

Date: August 11, 2010

We dare you to try to keep up with the Junior Rangers at Bighorn Canyon. It's fun and healthy to play in the parks and now National Park Junior Rangers get an extra reward for movin' it outside.

TodayBighornCanyonbecomesone of 36 national parks that offer Let's Move Outside Junior Ranger. Let's Move Outside, led by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, provides tools and information to parents to make it easy to enjoy the outdoors and be active and healthy. It is part of First Lady Michelle Obama's nationwide campaign to end childhood obesity within a generation.

"Young people inspire us; we want to help them be healthy and curious for life. It starts with family fun. We want to help parents learn the skills they need to enjoy the outdoors with their kids," National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis said.

Young people who complete at least one physical activity in pursuit of their Junior Ranger badge receive a special sticker that designates them as a Let's Move Outside Junior Ranger. The activities range from adventures like hiking with a ranger to body surfing and canoeing.

"BighornCanyon's Let's Move Outside Junior Ranger program offers kids and parents the chance to hike to and explore one or more of the parks historic sites. Junior Rangers can choose to hike to one of the historic ranches on the south end or hike the Beaver Pond Nature Trail or the Headgate Trail on the north end. These hikes are not only great exercise, but also incredibly fun ways to see and learn about the park," Chris Wilkinson, Chief of Interpretation said.

By summer's end, 50 national parks will offer Let's Move Outside Junior Ranger programs. Young people can become Junior Rangers at more than 200 national parks nationwide.

Before heading out, families can look at www.letsmove.gov/letsmoveoutside.php formore information about activities and participating parks. This website hub will link families to the great outdoors and give tips and ideas on how to best plan and enjoy an active adventure. The National Park Service provides 84 million acres to explore, so there are many places and ways to move outside!