Be a Virtual Junior Ranger

Junior Ranger Logo

NPS

If you can’t make it to the park, that’s fine! You can complete virtual activities and become a Junior Ranger from your home.

Remember, the Junior Ranger motto is Explore, Learn, and Protect. These activities will help you discover how you can protect Zion and teach you about some interesting things about this unique park! You will need a pencil and paper, printer optional! If you have any questions or want to learn more, please reach out to us and email a ranger.

Requirements:

Ages 4-6: Complete two or more activities
Ages 7-9: Complete three or more activities
Ages 10+: Complete four or more activities

 

NPS Arrowhead

Activity 1: Make Your Own Arrowhead

You may have noticed the arrowhead symbol on our website, or on a patch worn by park rangers. This is the emblem of the National Park Service. Let’s take a closer look at the meaning of this important symbol:

• The arrowhead shape stands for history and archeology.

• The sequoia tree and bison stand for plants and wildlife.

• Mountains and water stand for scenery and recreation.

These are all things that are protected by the National Park Service! Print out this arrowhead outline, or draw the shape on your paper. Create your own symbols on the arrowhead with things that you think should be protected.

 

Activity 2: Website Wanderings

There is a lot of information that you can find on our website! Investigate the pages under the "Learn More About the Park" tab to discover more about the park, and answer the following questions on your piece of paper:

• How many different species of mammals live in the park?
• Does Zion have any venomous snakes? If so, what kind?
• How long ago does human use of the Zion National Park landscape date to?
• Zion has many different habitats. What are two of them?

 

Activity 3: Write A Poem

The beauty of Zion National park has inspired many poets and artists. Follow the steps below to write your own poetry about Zion.

• First line: Write the name of something that you find interesting about Zion (like an animal or type of rock!)
• Second line: Write one word or more that describes how it looks
• Third line: Write one word or more that describes something it does
• Fourth line: Write a sentence about how it makes you feel

Here is an example:

Mule Deer
Brown
Run
I feel happy and relaxed when I watch you!

 

Activity 4: Leave No Trace

In Zion there are many ways that Junior Rangers and visitors can help protect the park. We call some of these Leave No Trace guidelines, or LNT. Below are a few LNT guidelines:

• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Leave What You Find
• Respect Wildlife

Brainstorm on your paper. Why do you think it’s important to follow these guidelines while visiting a park? Who might these guidelines help protect? Share your thoughts with a family member or friend!

You can learn more about LNT here.

 

Activity 5: Watch the Park Film!

Follow this link to watch a film about Zion National Park. Draw a picture of something you liked in the movie, and write down something you learned about Zion that surprised you.

 

Zion Rock Layers

Image by Geoscientist-In-the Park David Tarailo, sponsored by the Geological Society of America, GeoCorps Program, 2012.

Activity 6: Rockin' Rocks

Visit our geology page to learn about the sediments and ancient landscapes that created Zion’s tall cliffs! Download and print this PDF, or draw a picture of the Zion cliffs. Fill in the names of the rock layers!

Pick a rock layer to learn more about, and follow the links on the geology page to investigate further! What did the landscape look like when this layer was formed? Did it look like a current-day landscape you can think of (think the dunes of the Sarah Desert, or a seashore)? Are there any animals or plants that may have lived here?

 

NPS/Danette Perez

Junior Ranger Oath!

Recite the following oath, and then scroll down to get your badge and certificate!

I am proud to be a Junior Ranger
I promise to help take care of national parks
And the plants and animals that call them home!
I will continue to explore, learn about, and respect natural places
Wherever I may go!

 

Badge and Certificate

Use the following links to download and print your Junior Ranger badge and certificate:

Badge
Certificate

You can print and cut out your badge, use it as a template to cut a piece of cardboard matching the shape, and then glue the paper and a pin onto the cardboard! Other ideas include using tape to secure it into your passport or scrapbook, or setting it as your background on a phone or tablet! Congratulations on becoming a Virtual Junior Ranger at Zion National Park!