Event
*JUNIOR RANGER DAY* Jr. Ranger Walk (Yosemite Valley)
Fee:
Free. All Junior Ranger programs are free.Dates & Times
Date:
Time:
Duration:
Type of Event
Description
Meet on steps outside the Welcome Center.
Join Ranger Will for a guided walk and nature journaling! Expect easy walking covering less than 1 mile.
Celebrate Junior Ranger Day in Yosemite!
Saturday, July 13.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
GUIDED WALKS & HIKES (YOSEMITE VALLEY)
10 am & 1 pm: Ansel Adams Photo Walk (1 hr)
Join the Ansel Adams Gallery for a photo walk geared towards children. Space is limited to
10 children with a parent or guardian present. Register ahead at the Gallery.
10 am: Jr. Ranger Walk (1 hr)
Meet on steps outside the Welcome Center.
Join Ranger Will for a guided walk and nature journaling! Expect easy walking covering less than 1 mile.
10 am & 2 pm: Naturalist Walk (1 hr)
Meet at Curry Village Amphitheater.
Join a Yosemite Naturalist for a family friendly walk from Curry Village to Stoneman Meadow. Kids and adults can expect to learn about the plants and animals of Yosemite, the geology of Yosemite Valley, meadow science, and the importance of the Merced River watershed! Expect easy walking covering approximately 1 mile.
11 am: Animal Tracking Workshop (1 hr)
Meet at the Wildlife table on the Valley Mall.
Come and join the Wildlife team to learn the science of radio telemetry (listening to radio waves to track animals). Expect easy walking covering 1 mile or less. Space is limited to 20 people. Arrive early to secure your spot!
11 am: Nature Walk & Story Time (1 hr)
Meet outside the Exploration Center.
On this meadow wander, you will uncover the magic of Yosemite with a naturalist. You will enjoy story time, coloring, and learn about ecology, plants, animals, and the wonders all around.
2 pm: Observations with a Naturalist (1 hr)
Meet outside the Exploration Center.
Learn about the three “I’s” of science and spark your curiosity for the natural world! I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of… On this guided walk, you will learn to make observations and catalyze connections.
2:30 pm: Bear Exploration Walk
Meets in front of the Indian Cultural Museum.
Take a walk with a Ranger through a meadow while discovering the history of bears in Yosemite, their lives today, and how we live alongside these incredible creatures.
4 pm: Jr. Ranger Sing-along Spectacular & Swearing-in Ceremony (30 min.)
Meets in front of the Exploration Center.
Join Ranger Skinner for the Jr. Ranger Sing-along Spectacular outside the Exploration Center at 4pm, immediately followed by the Jr. Ranger swearing in ceremony.
RANGER TALKS (YOSEMITE VALLEY)
10:30 am: Yosemite Mounted Patrol (30 min.)
On the Mall outside the Exploration Center.
Learn about Yosemite's horses and mules, and how they take care of Yosemite. You'll even get the chance to meet one of these amazing animals up close and personal.
1:30 pm: Mule Packing Demo (30 min.)
On the Mall outside the Exploration Center.
Yosemite has 80 hardworking mules who help take care of this place by moving supplies for backcountry trail crews and wilderness rangers. Come meet a mule and see firsthand how we use mules to take care of 800 miles of trails in the park.
12 pm: Nature in a Nutshell (30 min.)
In front of the Welcome Center.
Join a Ranger Naturalist to learn about the history and art of photography in Yosemite.
2:30 pm: Family Ranger Talk (15 min.)
In front of the Welcome Center.
Learn from a Ranger Naturalist about our meadows and how to help protect these precious ecosystems.
ACTIVITY & INFO TABLES, 10 am to 4 pm (YOSEMITE VALLEY)
All tables are located outside of the Exploration Center in Yosemite Village (the "Mall"), unless otherwise noted.
Education team
Information on the 4th Grade Park Pass Program
Yosemite Fire
Fire education and activities
Yosemite Bear Biologists
Bear information and wildlife coloring pages
Climbing Rangers
Climbing games and activities
Yosemite Aquatic Wildlife Biologists
Learn about amphibians, fish, turtles, salamanders, and other aquatic wildlife
Junior Ranger Discovery Table
Earn your junior ranger badge! Pick up a book to get started, or stop by to be sworn-in when you're finished.
Yosemite Conservancy
Meadow ecosystems coloring and block stamping art program
Yosemite Heritage Conservation Center
Activity table (at the Yosemite Heritage Conservation Center)
PROGRAMS IN WAWONA
9 am: Cocoa with a Ranger
Pine Tree Market
Come have cocoa with Ranger Jill and work on your Jr. Ranger books together!
10:30 am: Wildlife Stories and Songs
Mariposa Grove Arrival Area
Join Ranger Erich for stories and music at the Mariposa Grove. (Allow time to ride the shuttle from the parking area to the Grove)
3 pm: Wildlife Stories and Songs
Wawona Visitor Center at Hill's Studio
Join Ranger Erich for stories and music at Hill’s Studio.
PROGRAMS AT GLACIER POINT
7 pm: Bats and Crafts | Murciélagos y Arte
Bilingual program
8:30 pm: Jr. Astronomers Star Party
Use telescopes to learn about the night sky with Ranger Emily and astronomy clubs!
PROGRAMS NEAR CRANE FLAT
8:30 am: Wildflower Watercolors (1 hr)
Crane Flat Campground Amphitheater
Learn about the area’s wildflowers and enjoy some watercolor painting.
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm: Arrowhead Art Activities (drop by anytime!)
Tuolumne Grove Trailhead
Drop by the Tuolumne Grove Trailhead to hang out with a Ranger and learn about the
NPS symbol: the arrowhead! Featuring an optional art activity.
PROGRAMS IN TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
10 am: Jr. Ranger Program (1.5 hrs)
Meet at Lembert Dome parking
Join a Ranger to learn about life in the High Sierra!