Junior Rangers

Warren, being a former Park Service employee, suggested that the monkeys become Junior Rangers on our visit to Yellowstone. The official Junior Ranger Program is open to kids 5 - 12. It introduces them to the natural wonders of Yellowstone and their role in preserving them for the future.

There's a $3 fee for the 12-page activity paper. After completing the age appropriate requirements, their work is reviewed by a ranger, and then participants are awarded an official Yellowstone Junior Ranger patch. Requirements include attending a Ranger-led program, hiking on a park trail, and completing activities on various park resources.

Jiro fell asleep during our first ranger talk, but made it through the second. He got very into doing the exercises and completed them all, in color! Satchel did the minimum required because he was more interested in fishing.

When we went in to get their badges, they had to take an oath, which was the cutest thing ever. Why I didn't take a video, I don't know!!


All (most?) National Parks offer Junior Ranger badges, so be sure and ask about the program if/when you visit one next. (The boys also got a badge at Devil's Tower, but it didn't require the level of dedication that the Yellowstone program did.)