Junior Ranger Day at the Dunes

Junior Ranger Hat, Badge & Patch

NPS

News Release Date: April 16, 2007

Contact: Lisa Myers, 231-326-5134

On Saturday, April 28, children of all ages are invited to become Junior Rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Special activities begin at 10:00 a.m. and are planned throughout the day, with a badge and swearing in ceremony at 3:00 p.m. To earn a Junior Ranger badge, young prospects will have to go on one ranger-led program (morning or afternoon) and complete a few activities in the FREE Junior Ranger booklet that will be available at the Visitor Center (VC) in Empire all day. Adults must accompany children at all times.

“We are excited about celebrating the first ever National Junior Ranger Day”, said Lisa Myers, Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services at Sleeping Bear Dunes. “All across the country, from Denali National Park in Alaska to Everglades National Park in Florida, kids will go outside to explore, learn and protect their national parks.” At the National Lakeshore, Park Rangers will offer the following:

• 10:00 a.m.: Dune Discovery Walk - Meet at the base of the Dune Climb on Highway 109, two miles north of Empire. (Junior Ranger Booklets not required)
  
  
• 1:00 p.m.: Critter Discovery Walk - Meet at VC for a brief introduction. Then, all will car caravan to the trailhead three miles south of Empire.
  
  
• 3:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Ceremony - Meet at the VC to take the Junior Ranger oath and receive a Junior Ranger badge. There will be light refreshments and prizes for all.

FREE Junior Ranger booklets will be available at the Visitor Center from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visitors to the National Lakeshore need to display an entrance pass on their vehicle whenever and wherever they are recreating within the boundaries. Passes may be purchased at the VC, campgrounds, Platte Point, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and the Dune Climb ($10/vehicle, valid for seven days; or $20/vehicle, for an entire year).

For more information about the schedule or other Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore activities, please call the Visitor Center at 231-326-5134.