Monday, June 24, 2013

The Junior Ranger Program at Shenandoah National Park

Hello Junior Rangers! So a week ago I posted about the package I received from Shenandoah National Park for completing all of their Junior Ranger programs and detailing its contents. Well, today I decided to post about Shenandoah's Junior Ranger Program so that you all can get more information about what it takes to become a Junior Ranger at Shenandoah National Park! :)

So first, I'll start with a (very) brief overview of Shenandoah's features... and then get to the good stuff... :)




About Shenandoah National Park

Junior Ranger Explorer at Shenandoah National Park
Junior Ranger Explorer at Shenandoah National Park.
Photo courtesy nps.gov
Shenandoah National Park is a great way to experience the great American outdoors. Driving the 105-mile length of picturesque Skyline Drive forces you to slow down and take in the sprawling vistas of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains and the surrounding valley landscapes. You can immerse yourself in wilderness by hiking some of Shenandoah’s 500+ miles of lush nature trails, including the 101 miles of the historic Appalachian Trail that cuts through the park. There are about 80,000 acres of pure, unspoiled wilderness to explore (one of the largest in the eastern United States) that was engineered by the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of FDRs New Deal in the 1930s—that’s 40% of the park! And there are several historical places to visit, such as the famous Skyland Resort and Massanutten Lodge and Herbert Hoover’s “summer White House” at Rapidan Camp. Whether you have one week or only one day to visit, you will find plenty to do at this beautiful escape from the everyday rush.




The Junior Ranger Program at Shenandoah National Park


Ranger Explorer Programs at Shenandoah National Park
In addition to the Basic Junior Ranger Program,
Shenandoah National Park offers three Ranger Explorer
programs for kids ages 13+. Image courtesy nps.gov

There are four different Junior Ranger programs available at Shenandoah National Park: Shenandoah National Park Junior Ranger, The Wild Side of Shenandoah Ranger Explorer (Shenandoah's Wilderness Explorer program), Rock On, Stony Man! Ranger Explorer, and Shenandoah's Appalachian Trail Ranger Explorer. These activities require hiking trails and answering questions about your observations. And a detailed list of each program and its requirements is outlined below.



Shenandoah National Park Junior Ranger

Shenandoah National Park Junior Ranger Book and Junior Ranger Patch
Shenandoah National Park Junior
Ranger book and Junior Ranger Patch
This program is designed for kids 7+. It is the basic program that covers the entire park. The Junior Ranger Explorer Notebook, as it is called, is available for purchase online or at any of the Visitor Centers, or you can download it for free online (PDF) and print it out to take with you to the park.

The Junior Ranger Explorer Notebook contains activities to complete during your visit to the park. There are no specific areas you need to visit in order to complete this book. Hiking at least one trail is required so that you are able to record your observations. A full list of the activities listed in the Notebook and their descriptions follows:
  • Introductory Page: The notebook begins by asking you basic questions about yourself and your visit to the park.
  • Where Are You? Using the provided map, answer questions about the park.
  • Trail Explorer: Hike a trail and use the provided checklist to record your observations. Draw a picture of your favorite discovery and answer questions about your hike.
  • Traces of the Past: Draw a picture of and answer questions about the house you would have built if you lived in the mountains before Shenandoah became a park. Recalling that many families lived in this area before it was turned into a national park and were forced to leave, record your reflections about this topic.
  • Habitat for Deer: Study a deer and answer questions about what you observe. Record ways that you can protect deer and their habitat in the Park and answer related questions to this topic.
  • Amazing Adaptations: Study an animal and answer questions about adaptations and behavioral adaptations. Using your imagination, create and explain a drawing of a plant or animal that has an adaptation to help the environment.
  • Not an Eagle: Answer questions about the two kinds of Vultures (Turkey and Black) that live in the park using the information provided.
  • News of the Weird: Record observations of any strange or new things you see during your visit.
  • What’s in the Water? Explore a stream and answer the questions provided.
  • Trees are Everywhere: During your hike, find and study a species of tree from the list provided. Record your observations.
  • Logs of Life: Explore a log and record your observations.
  • What’s on the Rocks and Trees? While on a trail, look for lichens and answer questions about your observations.
  • The Air up There: Answer questions about the air quality you observe. Learn about ozone and answer questions using the information and graph provided.
  • Monarchs and Milkweeds: Learn about the monarch butterflies that migrate from Mexico and answer questions about them using the information provided.
  • They’re Back! Learn about the Peregrine Falcon and answer questions about them using the information provided.
  • Shenandoah Words: A crossword puzzle that uses all the words you have learned as you completed the Notebook..
....and that's it!

How to Become a Shenandoah National Park Junior Ranger:
  • To get a Sticker: Complete 5 of 15 activities. Show your work to a ranger and receive a “Shenandoah Explorer” sticker.
  • To get a Badge or a Patch:
    • Attend two ranger-led programs and have the ranger sign your book.
    • Complete 7 additional activities (total of 12).
    • Return your book to a ranger at Dickey Ridge VC or Byrd VC. If the visitor centers are closed, you can also mail in your book like I did to: Shenandoah NP, Attn: Junior Ranger Program, 3655 Highway 211 East, Luray, Virginia 22835


The Wild Side of Shenandoah Ranger Explorer
(Shenandoah’s Wilderness Explorer Program)

Wild Side of Shenandoah Ranger Explorer Activity Guide and Shenandoah Wilderness Ranger Explorer Patch
Wild Side of Shenandoah
Ranger Explorer Activity Guide
and Shenandoah Wilderness
Ranger Explorer Patch
This program is designed for ages 13+ and focuses on the Shenandoah Wilderness. The Wild Side of Shenandoah Ranger Explorer Activity Guide, according Shenandoah's NPS website, is supposed to be available for free at the visitor center; however it does say “for a limited time.” I wouldn’t take a chance that it’s not at the visitor center when you get there. So better to be sure and just download it online (PDF) and print it out to take with you to the park. That’s what I did! :)

The Wild Side of Shenandoah Ranger Explorer Activity Guide contains activities to complete during your visit to the park. In order to complete this book, you must hike one of the wilderness trails, visit one of the specified overlooks on Skyline Drive, and make a stop at either Dickey Ridge (MP 4.6) or Byrd (MP 51) Visitor Center. 

According to the Activity Guide, this book will take 4-6 hours to complete (including the hike). Luckily when I was visiting the park, I stumbled into one of the wilderness trails listed (Rose River Loop) on my way to view Black Rock Falls so I was able to get the information I needed to complete the book. Yay, two birds! ;)

It is important to note that you do not have to hike the entire wilderness trail! (I certainly didn’t! Rose River Loop was long, and I was already in the middle of hiking the Black Rock Falls Trail as it was.) You just have to go far enough that you are in the wilderness area.

Here’s a list of the “Trails that Enter Wilderness”:
  • Overall Run Trail (MP 22)
  • Thornton River Trail (MP 25.5)
  • Appalachian Trail to Pass Mountain (MP 28.5)
  • Hazel Mountain to White Rocks Trail (MP 33.5)
  • Cedar Run Trail (MP 45.5)
  • Rose River Loop (MP 49.2)
  • Old Rag Ridge Trail (Park Boundary)
  • Big Run Loop Trail (MP 81.2)
  • Riprap Trail to Chimney Rock (MP 90)
  • Turk Mountain Trail (MP 94.1)
And now a list of “Overlooks with Views of Wilderness”:
  • Hogback Overlook (MP 21)
  • Jeremy’s Run Overlook (MP26.5)
  • Tunnel Parking Overlook (MP 32.3)
  • Hazel Mountain Overlook (MP 33)
  • Pinnacles Overlook (MP 35)
  • Thorofare Mountain Overlook (MP 40.5)        
  • Old Rag View (MP 46.5)
  • Brown Mountain Overlook (MP 77)
  • Big Run Overlook (MP 81)
  • Riprap Overlook (MP 91.5)
Okay so now that you know the areas you need to explore, you can choose one in each category and then get started on completing the book. A full list of the activities listed in the Activity Guide and their descriptions follow:
  • What is Wilderness? – Wilderness means different things to different people. In this activity, you will learn and answer questions about what “wilderness” is and what it means to you.
  • Where is Wilderness? – Using the National Wilderness Preservation System map, answer the questions listed. (You may have to do this at home; I didn’t know where to get that map at the park, so I did this when I returned.) Also, observing the Shenandoah map on the back of the Activity Guide, answer questions and record your reflections about the Shenandoah wilderness.
  • Get Set to Explore – Visit either the Dickey Ridge (MP 4.6) or Byrd (MP 51) Visitor Centers and find the interactive Wilderness computer exhibit called “The Spirit of Wilderness.” Read the “Trailblazers” section and answer a question about it.
Next you will visit the overlook and the trail. Choose one from the list on the back of the Activity Guide. Before you leave the visitor center, be sure to get the map of the trail. The Activity Guide recommends you have someone mark the wilderness boundary for you on your map.
  • Do You See What I See? – Here you will be visiting your chosen overlook. Record your observations by answering the questions in your book.
  • Where the Wild Things Are – Here you will be hiking your chosen trail. It is important to note that you do not have to hike the entire trail! You just have to go far enough that you are in the wilderness area.
    • Record your observations by answering the questions at the specified points during your hike (trailhead, on the trail, in the wilderness area, etc.). Draw a postcard from the wilderness. Record your thoughts on why it is important to protect the wilderness. Compare that to what you wrote in the first activity.
  •  What Would You Do? – Here, you are asked to read about the role of a Wilderness Ranger, the Wilderness Act of 1964 and other policies. Then, you become the Wilderness Ranger. Based on a scenario presented, decide what you would do if you were the Wilderness Ranger. See if your answer lines up with what was actually done.
  • What Did They Say? – Answer questions about your thoughts on wilderness and people’s opinion about wilderness. Ask a person about wilderness and record their answers, and at the same time record what you shared with the person about wilderness.
...and that's it!

How to Become a Wild Side of Shenandoah Ranger Explorer (Shenandoah Wilderness Ranger):

To get your Shenandoah Wilderness Explorer patch, complete the entire book and turn it in to a ranger at Dickey Ridge VC or Byrd VC. If the visitor centers are closed, you can also mail in your book like I did to: Shenandoah NP, Attn: Junior Ranger Program, 3655 Highway 211 East, Luray, Virginia 22835




Rock On, Stony Man! Ranger Explorer Program

Rock On, Stony Man! Ranger Explorer Activity Guide and Stony Man Ranger Explorer Patch
Rock On, Stony Man! Ranger Explorer
Activity Guide
and Ranger Explorer Patch
This program is designed for ages 13+ and focuses on the Stony Man Trail. You will be learning about Rock Outcrops and the plants and animals that live there. The Rock On, Stony Man! Ranger Explorer Activity Guide, according to Shenandoah's NPS website, is supposed to be available for free at the visitor center; however it does say “for a limited time.” I wouldn’t take a chance that it’s not at the visitor center when you get there. So better to be sure and just download it online (PDF) and print it out to take with you to the park. That’s what I did! :)

The Rock On, Stony Man! Ranger Explorer Activity Guide contains activities to complete during your visit to the park. In order to complete this book, you must hike the Stony Man Trail (MP 41.7; this trail is worth hiking anyway even if you don’t want to do the book; it’s a pretty easy hike and has great views). You will also need the Nature Notes sheets about Amphibians, Lichen, and the Peregrine Falcon (all PDFs). They are supposedly included with your Activity Guide when you pick it up from the visitor center, but again, the likelihood that they have this program available at the visitor center is slim, so it’s better to just download them print them yourself when you go to download the Activity Guide.

Notes: Stony Man Trail is part of the Appalachian Trail for some time before it splits off to the summit. Take advantage and complete the Shenandoah Appalachian Trail Ranger Explorer Activity Guide while you’re at it! :) Also, at the trailhead you’ll see a box with the Stony Man Trail Guide. Totally worth the $1.00! It has a lot of interesting information you can read about at each marked stop on the way up to the summit, and you’ll be helping out the park at the same time. :)

A full list of the activities listed in the Activity Guide and their descriptions follows:

  • Small but Mighty – On your way up to the summit, stop at Post #11. Read the Nature Notes article about Lichen. Investigate them and record your observations.
  • On Top of the World – Once you reach the summit, complete these activities. You will be observing the view, air quality and continuing your investigation of lichen.
  • Life “On the Rocks” – Complete these activities at the summit. Read the Nature Notes article about the Peregrine Falcon and answer questions about these threatened birds. You will also read the Nature Notes article about Amphibians and answering questions about them. Now that you have learned about these animals, you will investigate this area’s potential as a habitat and record your observations.
  • Express Yourself – In this activity, you will write or draw about the area. Complete 2 of the 3 activities listed.
  • What Does it All Mean? – In this activity, you will analyze the rock outcrop “community” and think about why they are important and how they are all connected by answering questions. You will also be asked to apply these same ideas to your own community and record your thoughts.
  • The Future of Shenandoah’s Rock Outcrops – In this activity, you will think about how the park works to preserve and protect the rock outcrop communities. As a “Park Manager,” you will think about and make decisions about how to preserve these communities and record your thoughts. 
...and that's it!

How to Become a Rock On, Stony Man! Ranger Explorer:

To get your patch, complete the entire book and turn it in to a ranger at Dickey Ridge VC or Byrd VC. If the visitor centers are closed, you can also mail in your book like I did to: Shenandoah NP, Attn: Junior Ranger Program, 3655 Highway 211 East, Luray, Virginia 22835




The Appalachian Trail Ranger Explorer Program
at Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah's Appalachian Trail Ranger Explorer Activity Guide and Appalachian Trail Ranger Explorer Patch
Shenandoah's Appalachian Trail Ranger
Explorer Activity Guide
and Appalachian
Trail Ranger Explorer Patch
This program is designed for ages 13+ and focuses on the Appalachian Trail. You will be hiking on the nation’s most famous hiking trail, where thousands of people have gone before you!

The Appalachian Trail Ranger Explorer Activity Guide, according to Shenandoah's NPS website, is supposed to be available for free at the visitor center; however it does say “for a limited time.” I wouldn’t take a chance that it’s not at the visitor center when you get there. So better to be sure and just download it online (PDF) and print it out to take with you to the park. That’s what I did! :)

The Appalachian Trail Ranger Explorer Activity Guide contains activities to complete during your visit to the park. In order to complete this book, you must hike the Spitler Knoll Overlook to Rock Spring Shelter Trail (MP 48.06; 1.6mi roundtrip). According to the Activity Guide, it will take 3-4 hours to complete (including the hikes).

A full list of the activities listed in the Activity Guide and their descriptions follows:
  • Getting Started – Learn about the history and management of the Appalachian Trail (AT) from the AT map/ brochure. (I didn’t have that brochure so I did this part at home.)
  • One Man’s Journal – Read about Paul’s journey on the Appalachian Trail and answer questions about his experiences and how you would fare on your own journey through the AT.
  • Hike the AT! – Record your observations as you hike to Rock Spring Cabin.
  • A Living Legacy – This activity is done at the Rock Spring Cabin at the end of the trail. You will learn about cabin, the Civilian Conservation Corps who built it and answer questions about what you learned.
  • Express Yourself – In this activity, you will write your own AT journal entry. You will also either write about or draw a picture of the cabin you visited.
  • Impacts on the AT – Here you will reflect on the growth of people, roads, and commercial development and the importance of protecting the environment.
...and that's it!

How to Become a Shenandoah Appalachian Trail Ranger Explorer:

To get your patch, pin or medallion, complete the entire book and turn it in to a ranger at Dickey Ridge VC or Byrd VC. If the visitor centers are closed, you can also mail in your book like I did to: Shenandoah NP, Attn: Junior Ranger Program, 3655 Highway 211 East, Luray, Virginia 22835

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