The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country; each taking an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family.
The NPS Junior Ranger program is an activity based program conducted in almost all parks, and some Junior Ranger programs are national.
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.
What Will I Learn About?
As a Junior Ranger for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, you will learn about:
Explorer Captain John Smith and his voyages on the Chesapeake Bay
The American Indian peoples who lived along the Chesapeake Bay
What the Chesapeake Bay was like 400 years ago and what it is like today
What you can do as a Junior Ranger to help the Chesapeake Bay
PLUS you earn a badge to show that you are an official Junior Ranger for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail!
Instructions
How to Become a Junior Ranger
Pick From Our Two Junior Ranger Books
Trailwide Junior Ranger Book
This is the standard booklet used accross the entire trail. Download the booklet!
Or, pick up a Junior Ranger book at our headquarters at Historic Jamestowne in Jamestown, VA!
Open the booklet and read the instructions
Complete the activities as required for your age group
How Do I Learn The Answers?
If you need help finding information to help you with the activities, try one of these options:
Take a "virtual tour" of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail by exploring this website. Ask an adult to help you navigate the website.
Email a park ranger for help. Send your questions to cajo_info@nps.gov or message us on social media. Find our social media links at the bottom right of this page.
Visit your school library to find a book about Jamestown, Native Americans, or the Chesapeake Bay
By Mail
Send your completed booklets by mail to:
PO Box 210
Yorktown, VA 23690
Your booklet will be returned to you along with your badge. We will do our best to process your request as soon as possible, but please note that mail response times may vary.
By Email
Send your completed booklets to CAJO_Junior_Ranger@nps.gov
Make sure to include an address where we should send your badge. We will do our best to process your request as soon as possible, but please note that mail response times may vary.
In Person
You can have your booklet reviewed by a park ranger by visiting trail headquarters. Find us at:
Historic Jamestowne
1368 Colonial National Historical Parkway
Jamestown, VA 23081
The office is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Celebrate!
Check your mailbox for your Junior Ranger badge! Please note that mail response times may vary.
Now celebrate because you've become a Junior Ranger!!!
Ask a parent to recite the Junior Ranger pledge with you:
I __(your name)__ am proud to be a National Park Service Junior Ranger. I promise to appreciate, respect, and protect all National Parks. I also promise to continue learning about the landscape, plants, animals, and history of these special places. I will share what I learn with my friends and family.
