Junior Ranger Program Offered Statewide

Annapolis, MD (June 17, 2010) — This summer, the Maryland Park Service will host over 30 sessions of their iconic Junior Ranger Program in Parks throughout the state. The Junior Ranger program is a six-session program during which young people will explore the parks’ natural and historical areas, learn stewardship, and explore recreational opportunities. Junior Rangers can receive patches upon completion of the program and have the opportunity to continue on to other programs with the Maryland Park Service.

“Providing fun and educational outdoor experiences for Maryland children is an important role of State Parks,” said Maryland Park Service Superintendent Nina Settina. “Through the Junior Ranger Program, young people can engage with their natural environment while learning to become responsible stewards of our valuable natural resources.”

Throughout the year, Rangers and naturalists lead children and teens, ages 7- 14 years, through the fundamentals of environmental education and stewardship. Junior Rangers can earn three achievement awards: Basic, Advanced and Expert. Once they complete their Expert Achievement award, they begin to earn patches in self-guided levels, such as Naturalist, Explorer, Conservationist and Guide.

Additional programs offered by the Maryland Park Service in conjunction with Junior Rangers are the Sprouts program for children ages 2-4 and the Park Pal program for children ages 3-7. Check online for additional information and Junior Ranger schedules at www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/jrranger.asp.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov