Research and Education
in the National Parks

National Park Service Research and Education in the National Parks

PART I
THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN THE NATIONAL PARKS

THE YOSEMITE JUNIOR NATURE SCHOOL

The Yosemite Junior Nature School is planned for those children wishing to study the wild life of Yosemite National Park under the leadership of a ranger naturalist. Many features of the trail-side are brought to the attention of the keen young observers. There are usually several volunteer workers who assist the ranger naturalist during the 6-week session.

The work is divided into six subjects. Each subject is taken the same day every week, the course being organized so that a child attending only one day will learn a complete lesson. To those attending any one course throughout the full session, and showing satisfactory progress, a certificate of completion is awarded.

Classes meet at the museum building each morning, where fine relief maps of the park, a collection of mounted and fresh flowers, specimens of trees, etc., are available for study. A nature walk follows the discussion at the museum and during its course children are encouraged to ask questions as to the "why" of the objects encountered along the way. The school is divided into groups based on ages and grades.

The valley itself is one of nature's greatest outdoor museums. An abundance of material within easy walking distance of the museum makes it possible to conduct practically all of this work out of doors.

FIGURE 31.—A large labeled photograph which serves to orient the visitor. Several of these have been covered with glass to protect them against the rain and placed at exceptionally good orientation points in Yosemite National Park. They are proving very popular and instructive.

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Last Modified: Sat, Feb 16 2002 10:00:00 pm PDT
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