Junior Ranger

Junior Rangers explore, learn about, and help protect our national parks.

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Junior Rangers are special people who are dedicated to our national parks. Their mission is to:

EXPLORE

LEARN

PROTECT

...and to have fun while doing so!

Interested in being a Junior Ranger? Learn more about becoming a Junior Ranger at any of the more than 420 National Park sites around the country.

Want to be a Junior Ranger at Little Bighorn Battlefield but can't get here in person? Request the park's Junior Ranger packet by emailing [e-mail] with a return address.

While you can earn your Junior Ranger badge on your visit to our park, you can also earn your virtual Junior Ranger badge.

Virtual Junior Rangers

Using the pages of our website for help, complete four of the six activities below to earn your virtual Junior Ranger badge! For each activity, write or draw your responses, or share them with someone you know. When you finish, download and print the badge to add to your collection.

 

Cottontail

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Activity 1: How Animals Bring Joy

Today, cottontail rabbits are one of the most commonly seen animals in the monument. By protecting the historic battlefield, we also protect the Montana prairie ecosystem. White-tailed deer, magpies, and sharp-tailed grouse are some other animal residents. Animals like pronghorn and many bird species depend on this place for food, shelter, and rest during their migrations. In 1876, all sides of the battle depended on their horses in many ways.

1. Is there an animal in your life, such as a pet, that you depend on?
2. Which kinds of animals bring you joy?

 

Spirit Warrior Memorial

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Activity 2: How We Learn History

History helps us learn about people, places, and events from the past. Oral histories are one way we know what happened in the battle. Oral histories are stories people tell about their lives and experiences. These stories are passed down by speaking, not writing.

1. In addition to oral histories, what are some other ways historians learn about the battle?
2. What are your favorite ways to learn about history?

 

The Battlefield

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Activity 3: How Land Affects Our Actions

The Lakota, Cheyenne, and other Plains Tribal Nations call this event the Battle of Greasy Grass, named after the plants and landscape where the fighting took place.

1. What do you notice about the landscape in this photo of the battlefield?
2. How do you think the landscape – grassy, hilly, with more trees along the river – might have affected the battle?

 

This marker reads: "Wasicu Sapa Black White Man A Minnikojou Lakota Warrior fell here on June 25 1876 while defending the Lakota way of life"

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Activity 4: How Perspective Shapes Stories

Since the battle, newspapers, Wild West shows, and movies have told the story of the “Last Stand.” These stories have shaped how people think about the battle, but they often leave out or inaccurately represent the Native American perspectives.

1. What is something new or surprising you’ve learned about the battle?

 

Little Bighorn River

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Activity 5: How We Stay Present

For a minute or two, imagine yourself in the landscape pictured here. We’re sitting beside the Little Bighorn River in southern Montana. It’s completely silent, except for the soft rustle of leaves in the light breeze and the bubbling, gentle water in the river. It’s a late autumn afternoon. The sun is warm, the air is cool. Dried grasses cover the hillside. Imagine sitting in this spot, sensing the natural ground beneath you and the open sky above.

1. How do you feel?
2. What else do you notice about the landscape from the photo?

Now, pay attention to the space that you’re currently in. Maybe you’re sitting at a computer, or lying on a couch holding a tablet, or somewhere else. Take a slow, deep breath in, and gently exhale.

1. What do you hear?
2. What do you see?
3. How do you feel?

 

This marker reads: "U.S. Soldier 7th Cavalry fell here June 25 1876"

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Activity 6: How We Keep Memories Alive

One special thing about the battlefield is the red and white memorial markers. These markers help us remember the people who fought and died here. Honoring them has always been important, and it still is today. There are many ways to keep someone’s memory alive: seeing photographs, holding personal items, telling stories, sharing music, visiting headstones, participating in annual festivals or candlelight vigils, and many more.

1. Think about someone who is important to you. What will you do to remember them?

 

Print this as your virtual Junior Ranger badge!

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Junior Ranger Pledge

Now that you’ve completed at least four of the above activities, it’s time to take the Junior Ranger pledge. Read the following two sentences aloud in front of an adult so they can witness you becoming an official Junior Ranger!

As a Junior Ranger, I promise to protect nature - caring for plants, animals, and the natural places in National Parks. I will share what I have learned as I continue to discover more about the history of these special places.

Congratulations

...on joining this special community of people known as Junior Rangers! We invite you to keep the momentum going, as you:

EXPLORE

LEARN

PROTECT