National Junior Ranger Booklets

Park Ranger holds a few of the Junior Ranger program's national theme booklets.

NPS/K. Anton

 

What are National Theme Junior Ranger programs?

In addition to Junior Ranger programs specific to their site, many parks also offer National Theme Junior Ranger Programs. These activity booklets help kids connect to topics that are important to many places across the National Park Service.

Who can participate?

Kids, families, and the young at heart are invited to become Junior Rangers! People of all abilities are welcome. Many programs are targeted to ages 5 –14, but are available to all.

How do I participate in person?

If you’re looking to work on a National Theme Junior Ranger program on your next visit, check with the National Park Service site before visiting to confirm what types of Junior Ranger programs are available on-site.

How do I participate online?

Check out the National Theme Junior Ranger programs below to learn more about each program. Some programs have online activities, and some offer a downloadable booklet. Completion awards vary with each program and may include a printable certificate, badge, digital high five, or a physical patch or badge. Many programs only offer a physical reward in person at a participating location.

 

Become a Junior...

• 

  Plan Your Trip

  Park Explorer

  Use this booklet to plan an awesome adventure to a park.

• 

  Learn About Wildland Fire

  Wildland Firefighter

  Explore the natural cycle of fire, discover what wildland firefighters do, and learn how to protect your home from wildfire.

• 

  Hop Aboard

  Railroad Explorer

  Before the transcontinental railroad, it took six months to cross the country. Find out how the railroad changed the United States.

• 

  What Do You Hear?

  Sounds Explorer

  Listen carefully. Learn about the science of sound. Discover why it is important to parks.

• 

  Junior Rangers In Space

  Spaceflight Explorer

  National parks and outer space have more in common than you might think! Check out how parks are teaming up with NASA.

• 

  Let's Go Fishing

  Angler

  Explore fish and fishing through a Junior Ranger activity book dedicated to things that swim.

• 

  Explore the Mysteries of Caves

  Cave Scientist

  Explore a fascinating and fragile underground world. Learn about caves and karst landscapes. Complete a few fun activities.

• 

  Explore the Park After Dark

  Night Skies Explorer

  Learn to find the North Star, discover the world of constellations, galaxies, and other night time phenomena.

• 

  Discover Archeology

  Archeologist

  Learn about what archeology is, and what archeologists do.

• 

  Go Deep!

  Underwater Explorer

  From fresh water fish to salt water sea turtles there is so much more to discover below the water line.

• 

  You'll Dig It

  Paleontogist

  Learn about ancient life. Complete fun activities. Explore some of the national parks that offer you a look into the prehistoric.

• 

  Travel the Network to Freedom

  Underground Railroad Explorer

  Learn more about efforts of enslaved Americans to gain their freedom through escape and flight.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about National Theme Programs

The following questions and answers are for the National Junior Ranger booklets, which are based on a theme instead of a specific National Park Service site.

How do I submit a badge/patch request?

Check whether the booklet you completed has a badge or patch completion award. Select the booklet from the national Junior Ranger booklets page to view the completion award for that booklet. If the booklet does offer a completion award, email a photograph of a completed page in your booklet to [e-mail] with your mailing address. A staff member fulfills orders every two to three weeks and will email you a confirmation once your request is in the mail.

How long does it take to fulfill my badge/patch request for any Junior Ranger booklet?

Completion awards vary with each Junior Ranger booklet program and may include a printable certificate or badge, a digital high-five, or a physical badge or patch. Not every Junior Ranger Program has a physical badge or patch award. Junior Ranger Programs are managed by programs across the country. It may take time to direct your request to the right program. Check the national Junior Ranger booklets webpage to learn more about the completion award for each booklet program. If your Junior Ranger booklet has a badge or patch completion award, we will send your physical badge or patch via USPS. Turnaround time varies with each program and usually takes several weeks. Please feel free to email us again if you have not received your badge or patch two months after your request.

Where can I download Junior Ranger booklets?

Select a booklet from the national Junior Ranger Booklets webpage. Download a booklet from the webpage for that booklet. Keep in mind that completion awards vary with each Junior Ranger booklet program and may include a printable certificate or badge, a digital high-five, or a physical badge or patch. View the webpage for each booklet to learn more about how to use it and what completion award is offered.

How do I find out who to send my completed booklet to?

Did you pick up your booklet at a National Park Service site? If so, check with that park site regarding the completion award. Site-specific booklets and completion awards are managed at their corresponding park sites. Did you complete a national Junior Ranger booklet? View the page for that booklet for more information on the type of completion award that is offered and next steps.

Can National Junior Booklets be mailed to me?

The quickest option is to download a booklet from one of the national Junior Ranger programs listed on the national Junior Ranger booklet webpage. If you do not have access to a printer, please email us your mailing address and we will mail you the requested booklet.

I haven’t seen my badge after putting in a request weeks ago. What are the next steps?

If you have not received your badge or patch in two months, please notify us at [e-mail]

I got my booklet or badge and it’s damaged. What are the next steps?

Notify us at [e-mail] and we will send you a replacement.