Date: March 14, 2011
Explore, Preserve, Protect and Be Active!
Come Celebrate Healthy Parks, Healthy People and National Junior Ranger Day
Calling all explorers and adventurers! On Saturday, April 23, celebrate National Park Week by becoming a Junior Ranger at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. National Junior Ranger Day is a special event that takes place at many national parks across the country on this same day. There will be an emphasis on being healthy and active as the theme of National Park Week 2011 is “Healthy Parks, Healthy People.” Free Park Ranger-led exciting and lively activities will be offered at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., with a special badge and swearing-in ceremony at 3:00 p.m. Participants will explore the park and learn about what makes Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore a special place and how this park can help keep them healthy and active. Adults must accompany children at all times.
“This year’s Junior Ranger Day will not only be focused on exploring and learning about the park, but will also convey the great value of the park when it comes to assisting visitors with living a more healthy and active life,” said Chief of Interpretation Lisa Myers. Kids of all ages are invited to attend any or all of the events. At the National Lakeshore, Park Rangers will offer the following programs:
10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Exploration Programs - Call the Visitor Center for the specific topics and locations.
2:30 p.m.: Pre-Ceremony Activities - Try on a real Park Ranger uniform and/or design a personal arrowhead badge at the Visitor Center before the official ceremony.
3:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Ceremony - Meet at the Visitor Center to take the Junior Ranger oath and receive the special National Junior Ranger Day badge and certificate. There will be light refreshments and prizes for all.
All activities are free. In honor of National Park Week from April 16-24, 2011, entrance fees at the National Lakeshore and all national park sites will be waived as well.
For more information about the schedule or other Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore activities, please call the Visitor Center at 231-326-5134, go to www.nps.gov/slbe, or visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sbdnl.
