Be A Junior Ranger

NPS / T. Engberg

Junior Ranger Program

Although the program is focused on the 6-12 age range, visitors of all ages can participate in a Junior Ranger activity when visiting the park. While taking a guided tour of the home the visitors answer questions in the park's Jr. Ranger activity book. Upon completion, Jr. Ranger cadets will receive a badge and certificate. To get started, ask a ranger when you visit the park!

Scroll down to find additional ways to become Junior Rangers in the National Park Service.

 

A young William.

NPS Photo

Virtual Junior Ranger

We know that many folks are unable to visit us currently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of that, we've created an online, virtual Jr. Ranger option for visitors to enjoy. Below, you'll find activities that are taken directly from the park's Jr. Ranger booklet. You can choose and complete one, or take a little more time to go through all of them. Each activity will have an answer key for you to check your results at the end. If you have questions about the activites, feel free to Contact Us to discuss it. Please know that with the large volume of email messages we receive, your response may be delayed longer than normal. Enjoy these virutal activities and we hope you learn more about William Howard Taft!

Background About William

William Howard Taft was born September 15^th, 1857 in Cincin­nati, Ohio to Alphonso and Louise Taft. William was one of six children. His siblings include Charles, Peter, Henry, Horace and Fanny. After graduating from Yale college in Connecti­cut, William served in many government positions including assistant district attorney, solicitor general, governor of the Philippines & Secretary of War.

William was the 27^th President of the United States & 10^th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. While in office, the states of Arizona and New Mexico joined the Union in 1912. The 16^th Amendment was also passed, which allowed the government to “lay and collect taxes on income.” William Howard Taft died on March 8^th, 1930 at his residence in Washington, D.C. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on March 11^th, 1930.

 

 

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Additional Junior Ranger Options

 

The Jr. Ranger Eclipse Explorer booklet - Click to download

NPS & The Planetary Society

Junior Ranger Eclipse Explorer

To commemorate the 2017 North American Total Solar Eclipse, the National Park Service has partnered with the Planetary Society to bring you the Junior Ranger Eclipse Explorer program. The fun-filled Eclipse Explorer booklet is loaded with interesting eclipse information and activities that will engage kids and teach them about the sun and the moon.

To get started, simply download the booklet and then print it out. The booklet is laid out in three separate age/skill levels. Choose the appropriate level (found on page 2), complete the activities and then take it to a participating NPS park or mail it in to a participating park to receive a Eclipse Explorer Jr. Ranger badge! When you finish your booklet, you can mail us your completed booklet and we'll be happy to send your badge and ranger-signed booklet to you (while badge supplies last).

To email us your completed booklet, you can either scan your completed booklet or take pictures of each page and email them to [e-mail]. Please, DO NOT MAIL any quiz submissions into the park at this time. Staff are not present at the site to receive mail at this time. Please email your quiz screenshots or scans or PDF quiz. If you prefer to send it via mail, please mail your completed booklet to Hopewell Culture NHP, ATTN: VIS-WHIO, 16062 State Route 104, Chillicothe, Ohio, 45601. Be sure to provide your return mailing address so we can send you your Junior Ranger SWAG! Once submitted, it may take upwards of 4 - 6 weeks to receive your Jr. Ranger packet with badge and certificate. This is due to staff availability and the volume of Jr. Ranger submissions we receive. Please know that we will work to turn around your submission as quickly as possible.

Please note: Please, do not take your printed/completed quiz to another park location to hand in. Currently, this park's Junior Ranger program is web-based and all submissions must be mailed or emailed to the addresses provided above. Rangers at other sites may not be aware of this and are likely unaware of where to forward printed copies to. Thank you!

Many NPS sites are participating in this unique Jr. Ranger program, but please call the park you are going to visit and inquire if they have Eclipse Jr. Ranger badges available. The booklet and the badge are a limited edition, so once supplies run out, they are gone at least until the next U.S. total solar eclipse in 2024!

Download the Eclipse Explorer Jr. Ranger booklet (PDF - 22MB)

 

Click on the Centennial birthday cake to download the Centennial Jr. Ranger booklet.

NPS Centennial Junior Ranger

In 2016, the National Park Service launched a new junior ranger program for all to learn about the importance of one of the country's most recognized public agencies. Even though the Centennial has passed, you can still download the Centennial Junior Ranger Activity Book and then print it out to complete. Fill out as much of the booklet as you can and then email it to us for a ranger to review. Once we look it over, we will mail you your limited edition Junior Ranger Centennial Badge and one of our rangers will sign your certificate. Be sure to include your return address so we can send you your badge.

To email us your completed booklet, you can either scan your completed booklet or take pictures of each page and email them to [e-mail]. Please, DO NOT MAIL any quiz submissions into the park at this time. Staff are not present at the site to receive mail at this time. Please email your quiz screenshots or scans or PDF quiz. If you prefer to send it via mail, please mail your completed booklet to Hopewell Culture NHP, ATTN: VIS-WIHO, 16062 State Route 104, Chillicothe, Ohio, 45601. Be sure to provide your return mailing address so we can send you your Junior Ranger SWAG! Once submitted, it may take upwards of 4 - 6 weeks to receive your Jr. Ranger packet with badge and certificate. This is due to staff availability and the volume of Jr. Ranger submissions we receive. Please know that we will work to turn around your submission as quickly as possible.

Please note: Please, do not take your printed/completed quiz to another park location to hand in. Currently, this park's Junior Ranger program is web-based and all submissions must be mailed or emailed to the addresses provided above. Rangers at other sites may not be aware of this and are likely unaware of where to forward printed copies to. Thank you!

Enjoy this activity by yourself, with friends or with your family! Be sure to visit one of the nation's 400+ National Park Service sites and commemorate 100 years of service!

Download the booklet (PDF - 3.6 MB)