Junior Ranger

 

"Explore, Learn, and Protect!" The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country. Each takes an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family.

The National Park Service Junior Ranger program is an activity-based program conducted in almost all parks, and some Junior Ranger programs are national. Many national parks offer young visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service "family" as Junior Rangers.

How Do I Earn My Junior Ranger Badge?

Junior Ranger Day

Calling kids of all ages! Kick off National Park Week with Junior Ranger activities at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Drop-in stations will be set up in the Boston Store area from 10 am-1 pm on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Park at Boston Mill Visitor Center or Boston Trailhead.

Come earn a badge and have some fun!

Find out more about National Park Week celebrations across the county at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/national-park-week.htm.

Junior Ranger Challenges

Kids of all ages can take part in Junior Ranger Challenge programs to discover more about Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Visit different park locations to meet a ranger, do the challenge, earn a sticker or a badge, and have fun getting to know your park! Junior Ranger Challenges are held Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from June 9 to August 15, 10 am–2 pm, weather permitting. These are drop-in style challenges. Please allow 30–60 minutes to complete each challenge. See our events calendar for more details.

Junior Ranger Handbook and Activity Sheet

Interested youth complete a series of activities during a park visit and share their answers with a ranger. Anyone who completes the Junior Ranger Handbook or the Junior Ranger, Jr. Activity Sheet will earn a Junior Ranger badge. Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 to 12, although people of all ages can participate. Find more activities and a virtual Junior Ranger badge by scrolling down this page.

When park facilities are open, Junior Ranger Handbooks and activity sheets are available at Boston Mill Visitor Center and Canal Exploration Center (Canal Exploration Center is open seasonally; please check our website for specific hours). When complete, take your book or sheet to a visitor center to receive a badge from a ranger.

Looking for suggestions for where to go with your Junior Rangers? Start with this list of kid-friendly activities in the Everett area.

 

Junior Ranger, Jr. Online Activities

Explore nature inside and outside the home with these wildlife activities for children ages 3 - 6.

Junior Ranger Online Activities

Find fun Junior Ranger activities you can do at home or before visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park, for children ages 7 - 12.

Other Online Junior Ranger Books

Check out these other Junior Ranger books that you can download and do at home or at your favorite park.

 

A Junior Ranger takes the oath.

NPS/Sue Simenc

After you finish

Once you've completed a Junior Ranger activity, download your badge to print or save! To have a ranger administer the official Junior Ranger oath, call us and leave a message with your name and phone number. A ranger will call back within the next day to swear you in!

We would love to hear from you!

Did you do any of the Junior Ranger activities on our website? Share your creations with us – take a photo, create a poem, share a drawing or just send us an email at [e-mail].

 

A ranger shows a Junior Ranger how to kayak during Junior Ranger Day Camp.

Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park/Aaron Self

Junior Ranger Day Camp

The Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center is excited to offer two weeks of Junior Ranger Day Camp for Summer 2026! Spend a week alongside rangers and program instructors exploring the plants and animals of Cuyahoga Valley National Park through hikes, games, hands-on science, and nature art.

• Ages: 6–12 years old
• Time: 9 am–3 pm

Session 1: July 20–24

Session 2: July 27–31

For more information and to register, visit the Conservancy's website.

Questions? Email our rangers with Junior Ranger questions at [e-mail].