Politics & Government

Greenbelt Junior Rangers Are Set for Kickoff

Home base is Greenbelt Park, but these junior rangers also travel near and far to study the environment and learn from nature.

Greenbelt's junior rangers are readying to kick off a new season of hikes, walks, talks and adventures. Greenbelt Park is their home base, with its 1100-acre forest featuring 10 miles of trails, picnic areas and a campground with 178 sites.

But these rangers branch out from home, visiting a variety of places—from Indian burial grounds and museums on the National Mall to Great Falls and Fort McHenry. They have also picked up skills, like how to build dream catchers and to create rope from milkweed.

Each year, the Greenbelt Park rangers come up with new experiences for boys and girls, ranging from 8- to 12-years old, including field trips, arts and crafts and lessons about animals, plants, water and the environment—and it's free.

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For four days, rangers take turns tailoring the kids' lessons and activities, then on the fifth day, they all come together for a fun-filled closing ceremony and to award certificates to the junior rangers.

Registration ends Monday, June 13, for the first class, which will accept 10 to 15 students and runs June 20 through June 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

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On top of lessons and travels, each junior ranger gets some complimentary goodies, including:

  • backpacks
  • T-shirts
  • pencils and pens
  • junior park ranger books
  • sani spray

Park Ranger Robin Martin said the activities and field trips vary by year, but past trips can give an idea of the adventures junior rangers may experience. Junior rangers have visited:

  • Rock Creek Horse Stables
  • Other national parks, like Fort McHenry
  • Great Falls
  • The National Mall
  • Frederick Douglas National Historic Site
  • The Beltsville Agricultural Center
  • Fort Washington Piscataway Turkey Tayac gravesite

Once a youngster experiences the program, they often come back year after year until they grow out it, according to Ranger Martin, who also said "We always fill,"—a good reason to sign up soon. 

If you miss the first class, you'll get another chance, registration ends June 20 for the second class, which runs June 27 through July 1.

Applications for the 2011 Junior Ranger program are available at the Greenbelt Park headquarters and the Greenbelt Park ranger station. They're also online. Greenbelt Park, National Park Service is located at 6565 Greenbelt Road.


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