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Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-8028 Contact: Dave Tobey, 573-323-8093 EMINENCE, MO:Each year area students and youth organizations come together with educators from natural resource agencies for an exciting day of outdoor education exhibits and activities.This year's Junior Ranger Day event will be held at Alley Spring on Friday, April 29th.Over 450 grade school students from eight area schools will begin arriving at 9:00 a.m.After a brief welcoming ceremony classes will start rotating through a variety of engaging activity stations. Junior Ranger Day exhibits will include presentations on caves, snakes, bears, wildfires, butterflies, fish, and much more.A few 5th grade classes willing to accept the challenge will be participating in special outdoor skill activity stations.Activities will include a hike with Ozark Trail Association leaders, paddling skills class presented by the American Canoe Association, hunter safety demonstration by National Park Service Rangers, and archery instruction by National Archery in the Schools instructors.The main event for all students will be the Birds of Prey Presentation delivered by bird handlers from the World Bird Sanctuary, conducted at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.Activities will conclude at approximately 2:00 p.m. with a ceremony to swear in all students as official Junior Rangers and award them their badges. Local schools are invited to bring their 2nd through 5th grade students.Homeschool students and scout groups will find the event a wonderful resource.The general public is welcome to attend.Schools and large groups should RSVP by calling Dave Tobey at 573-323-8093 or email dave_tobey@nps.gov. Participating organizations include Missouri State Parks, Missouri Department of Conservation. Bonebrake Center, Project Wet, Springfield Plateau Grotto , American Canoe Association, Ozark Trail Association, Master Naturalist of Missouri, Missouri State University, and National Association of Archery in the Schools.For more information call 573-323-8093 or visit us online at www.nps.gov/ozar. Junior Ranger Day is just one of many events and programs slated for 2016 in celebration of the National Park Service Centennial. For more information about the special centennial events scheduled throughout the year, contact Dena Matteson at (573)323-8028, visit the park's Facebook page, or website at www.nps.gov/ozar. Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people. |
Last updated: April 20, 2016