For Kids

The NPS Junior Ranger program is an activity based program conducted in almost all parks, and some Junior Ranger programs are national. Many national parks offer young visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service "family" as Junior Rangers. Interested youth complete a series of activities during a park visit, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger patch and Junior Ranger certificate. Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 to 13, although people of all ages can participate.

National Park Service Junior Ranger Programs

Please email us for a downloadable Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site Junior Ranger Program.

 

Kids in Parks

There's a lot of activities waiting for kids in National Parks across the country. Visit the National Park Service Kids in Parks page for more information.

 

Fourth graders nationwide can visit the Every Kid Outdoors website to obtain a pass that provides free access to students and their families to all federally managed lands and waters – including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries. The pass is valid for the 2019-2020 school year and grants free entry for fourth graders and three accompanying adults (or an entire car for drive-in parks) at more than 2,000 federally-managed sites.

 

Young Writers Programs

The National Park Service in partnership with the Hudson Valley Writing Project offers unique summer experiences for students each year. For more information about the Hudson Valley Writing Project please visit their website. For more information on past student projects please visit Courageous Writers: Hyde Park.