pril 28 Junior Ranger Day At Everglades National Park April

Date: April 10, 2007
Contact: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714
Contact: Allyson Gantt, 305-242-7860

April 28 - Junior Ranger Day at Everglades National Park!

Everglades National Park is pleased to announce Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April, 28, 2007. Junior Ranger Day, which falls at the end of National Park Week, is meant to highlight youth in parks and the Junior Ranger Program. The Junior Ranger program is a national program designed to involve kids and families while they visit National Park Service sites. Three of South Florida’s National Parks – Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and Big Cypress National Preserve – have a joint Junior Ranger program.

Junior Ranger Activity Guides are now available in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole, and may be obtained at any of the park visitor centers in Everglades or Biscayne National Parks or Big Cypress National Preserve. The program is designed for kids 8-12 years old, but is available to kids of all ages! To earn a Junior Ranger badge, participants need to complete several activities from the guide and at least one other activity in the park.

Everglades National Park invites potential Junior Rangers to come out on April 28 to Explore, Learn, and Protect their national park!

Junior Ranger Day activities include:

Shark Valley Visitor Center– located on US Highway 41, 25 miles west of the FL Turnpike

• Aspiring Junior Rangers and their families will be treated to a free tram ride through the Everglades. Seating is limited so reservations must be made in advance by calling 305-242-7753.
• Registration begins at 9:45 a.m., followed by a 2-hour tram tour. Participants will then gather for a picnic lunch (bring your own), with time for Junior Rangers to complete their activity guides. At 1:00 p.m. we will have a ceremony to award the new Junior Rangers with their badges. A ranger, assisted by the Junior Rangers, will lead a walk at 2:00 p.m. The program concludes at 3:00 p.m. Short ranger talks, a touch table, and exhibits for kids will be available for all from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Join us for all or part of the day!

Gulf Coast Visitor Center – Everglades City

• Aspiring Junior Rangers and their families will be treated to a free boat ride through the 10,000 Islands. Seating is limited, so reservations must be made in advance by calling 239-695-3311. The boat tour begins at 9:00 a.m., followed by activities and a Junior Ranger ceremony. The program concludes at 12:00 p.m.

Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center – 10 miles west of Homestead

Flamingo Visitor Center – 50 miles southwest of Homestead

• At other park locations, Junior Rangers will receive a special Junior Ranger Day button for participating.

-NPS-

 

To learn more about our Junior Ranger Program, click here.