National Park Service Unveils New Website For Children
August 24, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC – The Kids Zone, a new addition to the National Park Service’s website, http://www.nps.gov
, contains more than 50 interactive activities designed to connect children with the people, places, and events commemorated in the country’s 391 National Park Service sites.
Starting August 25, children visiting the website can learn about Mitsy, a nine-year-old Border Collie who performs an important job at the Statue of Liberty or little Lula McLean’s rag doll which is a witness to history at Appomattox Courthouse or how Thomas Edison changed their lives.
“The Kids Zone, launched on the 92nd anniversary of the National Park Service, introduces the next generation of park stewards to the fascinating stories told in national parks,” said National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar. “The website will enable young people to actively explore parks without leaving home but, hopefully, will also inspire them to visit these special places in person.”
The website includes information on the 325 in-park Junior Ranger programs where young visitors complete booklets on park resources and earn certificates, patches, or badges. In 2007, more than 440,000 children participated in Junior Ranger programs nationwide.
Other features on the website include stories by children who live in national parks, biographies of dogs who work in national parks, and an expanded WebRangers page. Children can continue to earn a WebRanger patch after completing exercises that include decoding a secret message from George Washington, helping endangered turtles get to the sea, setting up a ranger station, tracking animals, and learning how to survive in the desert.
The Kids Zone “hot button” on http://www.nps.gov, the National Park Service homepage, will provide a direct link to the expanded children’s website starting on August 25, 2008.
Related posts
National Park Week Celebration Focuses on “Kids in Parks”
April 26, 2008
Spring is in the air and the country’s 391 National Park Service sites are perfect places to get out and experience the beauty of the season. President Bush has proclaimed April 19 through 27 as National Park Week and encourages everyone to enjoy the natural wonders and inspirational history found in parks across the country.
The theme of this year’s National Park Week is “Kids in Parks.” About 200 parks will commemorate the 2nd annual Junior Ranger Day on April 26 with plenty of fun-filled activities and special events. A complete list of National Park Week and Junior Ranger Day activities is available at http://www.nps.gov/npweek.
“Our country’s national parks provide children with unparalleled opportunities to have fun while learning something new,” said National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar. “Free blacksmithing classes, fishing lessons, wildlife walks, night star parties, scavenger hunts, and reptile experiences are just a small sampling of Junior Ranger Day activities that will engage children physically, intellectually, and emotionally.”
The “Kids in Parks” theme will continue throughout the year as parks expand and improve youth-oriented ranger programs, educational exhibits, and Junior Ranger activities. About 300 National Park Service sites have Junior Ranger programs which encourage children to “Explore-Learn-Protect” national parks. Parks award badges and certificates to those completing the program and sometimes host swearing-in ceremonies.
In addition to seeing the wandering wildlife and spectacular scenery for which national parks are famous, visitors to many parks will find new or remodeled visitor centers, upgraded exhibits, and new uses of technology such as podcasts and cell phone tours.
“I truly hope people will take part in National Park Week activities and continue to visit and enjoy these special places that connect us to our shared heritage and natural treasures,” said Bomar.
Listing of National Park Week Events
State/Park Event Date
Alaska Kenai Fjords NP National park presentations in the April 22-28, 2008 Seward School District. Presentations will include local artists and the students will be encouraged to enter artwork in the Kenai Fjords National Park art contest in May.
Arizona Petrified Forest NP Junior Ranger Activity Day April 19th, 2008
Petrified Forest NP Earth Day Park Clean-Up Event April 22nd, 2008
Petrified Forest NP National Parks Presentation at the April 24th, 2008 Holbrook Public Library
Petrified Forest NP National Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Chiricahua National Monument Junior Ranger Scavenger Hunt April 26th, 2008
Arkansas Central High School NHS Bike Tour April 27th, 2008 Starting Point at Parking Lot Please bring a bike, helmet, and water
Central High School NHS Earth Day Events- “Green Cleaning” April 22nd, 2008 And “Picking Up the Tab”
Central High School NHS Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Buffalo National River Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Buffalo Point- Indian Rockhouse Hike River’s Edge Exploration
Buffalo National River Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Tyler Bend- Collier Homestead Tour River’s Edge Exploration California
Cabrillo National Monument Junior Ranger Day Activities April 26th, 2008 For information call 619-523-4562
Lassen Volcanic NP Become a Junior Ranger April 26th, 2008 at Tehama Co. Fairgrounds Children’s Fair in Red Bluff, CA.
Lava Beds National Monument Special field trips for sixth grade April 22nd, 2008 students to the Great Basin area and the Mushpot Cave. Students will conduct various activities that include measurement, exploration, discovery, and an appreciation for the natural resources at Lava Beds National Monument.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon Earth Day Festival in Visalia, Ca. April 19th, 2008 For information call 559-565-4212
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Bird Migration Program April 20th, 2008 For information call 559-565-4212
Sequoia and Kings Canyon Junior Ranger Family Day April 26th, 2008 For information call 559-565-4212
Sequoia and Kings Canyon “Fee Free Day” April 26th, 2008 For information call 559-565-4212
San Francisco Maritime NHP Open House at the Visitor Center April 23rd, 2008
San Francisco Maritime NHP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
San Francisco Maritime NHP Waterfront Walking Tours April 26-27, 2008 Meet in lobby of Argonaut Hotel
San Francisco Maritime NHP Adventure at Sea: Life Aboard a April 19-27, 2008 19th Century Sailing Ship Aboard Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier
San Francisco Maritime NHP Here Comes the Great White Fleet April 26th, 2008
San Francisco Maritime NHP Hercules Engineering Tour April 26th, 2008 Aboard Hercules at Hyde Street Pier Whiskeytown NRA National Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 For Information call 530-242-3438
Yosemite NP Earth Dance Film Festival April 22nd, 2008
Yosemite NP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Happy Isles Nature Center- shuttle stop 16
Colorado Rocky Mountain NP Skins and Skulls Program- April 26th, 2008 Ranger Led Talk at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Curecanti NRA Who Goes There? Lesson for 1st grade April 22nd, 2008 Black Canyon of Gunnison NP The Continuous Cycle for 2nd grade April 22nd, 2008 Dams and Hydroelectric Power for 3rd grade April 22nd, 2008 Die, Adapt, or Move lesson for 4th grade April 22nd, 2008 Watersheds lesson for 5th grade April 23rd, 2008 Energy lesson for 6th grade April 23rd, 2008 “The Active Earth” geology trip, 7th, 8th grade April 23rd, 2008 “Neversink: A Riparian Experience” trip For 4th grade April 24th, 2008 Weather lesson for 2nd and 3rd grade April 24th, 2008 “Black Canyon Habitats” trip for 1st grade April 25th, 2008
Connecticut Weir Farm NHS Art Explorer Program: April 14-18, 2008 & Weir Farm Art Center Explorer Sketchbook
Florida Canaveral National Seashore Anne Devine will be walking 24 miles April 21-22, 2008 As a March For Parks event
Canaveral National Seashore A day of seashore related programs April 26th, 2008 with walks, beach cleanup, lagoon seining program.
Fort Caroline NM Night Wonders of the St. Johns River April 18th, 2008 Reservations Required- 904-641-7155
Fort Caroline NM Hike on the Willie Browne Trail April 19th, 2008 Meet at Fort Caroline NM
Timucuan Preserve People in Nature at Night April 19th, 2008 Reservations Required- 904-641-7155
Fort Caroline NM Living Treasures of the St. Johns River April 20th, 2008
Fort Caroline NM Creepy Crawly Caterpillars and April 20th, 2008 Beautiful Butterflies
Fort Caroline NM Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Georgia Cumberland Gap NHP Gap Scavenger Hunt and Historical April 26th, 2008 Hike to Tri-State’s Peak Depart from Thomas Walker Parking Area
Hawaii Hawaii Volcanoes NP Kahuku History Hikes April 20th, 2008
Hawaii Volcanoes NP Residential Reforestation: How the April 22nd, 2008 Community Can Restore Native Forest
Haleakala NP Earth Day Festival April 19th, 2008 Haleakala NP Junior Ranger Day events April 26th, 2008
Kaloko-Honokohau NHP Guided Walk- Meet at Visitor Center April 21st, 2008
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau NHP Ranger Guided Walks April 22nd, 2008 Hawaiian Games
Kaloko-Honokohau NHP Turtle Talk at `Ai`opio Fishtrap April 23rd, 2008
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau NHP Ranger Guided Walks April 24th, 2008
Kaloko-Honokohau NHP Turtle Talk Presented by West April 24th, 2008 Hawaii Explorations Academy
Pu`ukohola Heiau NHS Seed Lei Making April 24th, 2008
Kaloko-Honokohau NHP Aloha Friday Lunch April 25th, 2008 Kaloko Fishpond Rock Wall Restoration Lecture Bring Picnic Lunch Kaloko-Honokohau NHP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Pu’uhonua o Honaunau NHP Junior Ranger Day April 27th, 2008 Ranger Guided Walk
Indiana Lincoln Boyhood NM Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Iowa Effigy Mounds NM National Park Week films at April 22-27, 2008 Visitor Center
Bird and Nature Walk April 19th, 2008
Effigy Mounds Jr. Ranger Program April 19th, 2008
Ho-Chunk Author, Spencer Lone Tree April 19th, 2008 -Book Signing
Bird Walk and Nature Walk April 20th, 2008
Special Earth Day Hikes April 22nd, 2008
Garlic Mustard Cleanup April 26th, 2008
Junior Ranger Day Program and Hike April 26th, 2008
Kentucky Mammoth Cave NP Wildflower Weekend April 19-20, 2008 Call 270-758-2180
Mammoth Cave NP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHS Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Louisiana Jean Lafitte NHP Junior Ranger Day at Chalmette April 19th, 2008 Battlefield and National Cemetery
Jean Lafitte NHP Junior Ranger Day at the French April 19th, 2008 Quarter Visitor Center Jean Lafitte NHP Junior Ranger Day at the April 22nd, 2008 Acadian Cultural Center
Jean Lafitte NHP Mini Cruises (fee) and April 26th, 2008 Scavenger Hunt
Jean Lafitte NHP Junior Ranger Day at April 26th, 2008 The Barataria Preserve Education Center
Jean Lafitte NHP Junior Ranger Day at Wetlands Acadian April 26th, 2008 Cultural Center
For Information about events at Jean Lafitte NHP call 504-589-3882, ext. 225
New Orleans Jazz NHP Junior Ranger Day at Eastern April 21st, 2008 Greene Elementary School
Cane River Creole NHP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Maine Acadia NP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 For Information call 207-288-8808
Maryland Clara Barton NHS Open House April 26th, 2008 For Information call 301-320-1410
Glen Echo Park Family Day Events April 26th, 2008
Antietam National Battlefield Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Massachusetts Boston NHP Recreation of Paul Revere’s April 20th, 2008 Historic Row Across Boston Harbor To Charlestown For information call 617-242-5601
Boston NHP National Parks America Tour Event April 19th, 2008 For information call 617-242-5651
Boston Harbor Islands NRA Spectacle Island Junior Ranger Event April 26th, 2008
Cape Cod National Seashore International Marconi Day April 26th, 2008
Cape Cod National Seashore Junior Ranger Day Event April 26th, 2008
Cape Cod National Seashore The Wizard of Wireless- April 26th, 2008 Visit the Coast Guard Station at Coast Guard Beach, Eastham
Cape Cod National Seashore Family Fun at the Penniman House- April 26th, 2008 Activities to learn about the Penniman Family’s adventures. Free shuttle service between Salt Pond Visitor Center and the Penniman House at Fort Hill, Eastham
Cape Cod National Seashore Keep America Beautiful Day April 26th, 2008 Contact volunteer [at] fccns [dot] org
Michigan Sleeping Bear Dunes NL Brown Bag Luncheon Series April 21-25, 2008 Call 231-326-5134
Sleeping Bear Dunes NL National Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Mississippi Gulf Islands NS Earth Day Festival and Junior Ranger Day April 19th, 2008 Pascagoula River Nature Festival For Information call 228-875-9075 x 100
Gulf Islands NS Fort Massachusetts Island Bike Hike April 26th, 2008
Vicksburg National Military Park Junior Ranger Day Event April 26th, 2008
Missouri Harry S. Truman NHS Junior Ranger Day Activities April 26th, 2008 For Information call 816-254-9929
Ozark National Scenic Riverways Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 At Big Spring For Children 6-11 yrs.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Junior Ranger Activity at Spring Cave For High School Students
Montana Makoshika State Park Four Mile March, Tree Planting, April 26th, 2008 Clean-up
New Jersey Gateway NRA, Sandy Hook Unit Celebrate Earth Day and National Park April 19-27, 2008 Week on this walk through of natural habitats.
Morristown NHP Jockey Hollow Revolutionary War Encampment April 19-20, 2008
Morristown NHP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Morristown NHP “Be Our Guest” Open House at April 27th, 2008 Washington’s Headquarters
Nebraska Agate Fossil Beds NM Junior Ranger Jamboree power April 24th, 2008 point presentation and fashion show.
New Mexico Salinas Pueblo Missions NM “Kids In Parks” Activities April 21-23, 2008
Salinas Pueblo Missions NM Ranger Led Tours April 21-25, 2008
Salinas Pueblo Missions NM Earth Day Planting Activity April 23rd, 2008 Salinas Pueblo Missions NM “Kid Power” Activities April 19-27, 2008
Salinas Pueblo Missions NM Ranger Programs at Abo, April 19-27, 2008 Quarai, and Gran Quivira
New York Gateway NRA, Jamaica Bay Unit Hike at Floyd Bennett Field April 19th, 2008
Gateway NRA, Jamaica Bay Unit Bike Tour of Jacob Riis Park/Fort Tilden April 19th, 2008
Gateway NRA, Jamaica Bay Unit Ranger Guided Tour of Jamaica Bay April 19th, 2008 Wildlife Refuge-Reservations Required
Gateway NRA, Jamaica Bay Unit In This Building- A Ranger Led Tour April 20th, 2008 of the Visitor Contact Station
Gateway NRA, Jamaica Bay Unit The Art of Nature April 20th, 2008 Reservations Required
Gateway NRA, Jamaica Bay Unit Earth Day Clean Up April 22nd, 2008 Reservations Required Call 718-318-4300
Gateway NRA, Jamaica Bay Unit Plumb Beach Clean Up and Planting April 25th, 2008 Call 718-318-9344. Gateway NRA, Jamaica Bay Unit Junior Flyers Program at April 26th, 2008 Floyd Bennett Field Reservations Required
Gateway NRA, Jamaica Bay Unit Planting With Sprouts at April 27th, 2008 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Reservations Required
Gateway NRA, Staten Island Unit Earth Day Planting April 19-27, 2008 Great Kills Park Work with NPS Rangers to plant a Education Field Station variety of native species. Please bring gardening gloves. Call 718-987-6790.
Gateway NRA, Staten Island Unit NP Week Beach Clean Up April 19-27, 2008 Great Kills Park Join NPS Rangers for a spring cleaning Beach Center of the park’s beaches. Bring gloves and water. Call 718-987-6790.
Fire Island National Seashore March For Parks Event April 19th, 2008 Guided Walk Around Fire Island Lighthouse Reservations Required: 631-661-4876
Fire Island National Seashore Earth Day Hike: Fire Island Wilderness April 20, 22, 2008
Fire Island National Seashore Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Orienteering at Fire Island Lighthouse Fire Island National Seashore Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Orienteering at Fire Island Wilderness Fire Island National Seashore Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Ocean Discovery at Wilderness Visitor Center
Sagamore Hill NHS Earth Day Beach Clean-up April 22nd, 2008
Sagamore Hill NHS Arbor Day Tree Planting April 25th, 2008
Sagamore Hill NHS Junior Ranger Day Event April 26th, 2008
North Carolina Moore’s Creek NB Guided Tours April 19-26, 2008 Call 910-283-5591 for reservations
Moore’s Creek NB Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Moore’s Creek NB Children and Nature Program April 19th, 2008 Tours at 11am and 2pm Call 910-283-5591 for reservations
Carl Sandburg Home NHS Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Ohio Fallen Timbers/Fort Miamis NHS Legacy Gala Dinner April 25th, 2008
Fallen Timbers/Fort Miamis NHS March For Parks- March From April 26th, 2008 Fort Miamis to the Fallen Timbers Monument
Fallen Timbers/Fort Miamis NHS Junior Ranger Ceremony April 26th, 2008
Shelby County Park District Hike on the Buckeye Trail April 19th, 2008 Various Parks For information call 937-713-4818
Cuyahoga Valley NP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Oklahoma Chickasaw NRA Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 “Discover Nature” Presentation
Oregon Columbia Gorge Earth Center 5K/10K Fun Run April 19th, 2008 www.orrun.com
Columbia Gorge Earth Center Procession of the Species Program April 19th, 2008 www.procession.org
Pennsylvania Hopewell Furnace NHS March For Parks Event March 15th, 2008 Trail Clean-up, Lunch, and Historic Tour Call 610-582-8773 x225
Valley Forge NHP 3rd Annual Revolutionary Run April 20th, 2008
Independence NHP National Park Week Celebration April 19-27, 2008 At The Independence Visitor Center
Independence NHP Charles Willson Peale’s Birthday April 19-20, 2008 Celebration. Call 1-800-537-7676 South Carolina Charles Pinckney NHS Colonial Days April 25-26, 2008 For information call 843-881-5516
South Dakota Mount Rushmore NM Regional Fifth Grade Classes April 24th, 2008 To Participate in Stations About Ideas of Freedom Expressed By Modern Presidents
Badlands NP Two 5th grade classes at Rockyford April 23rd, 2008 School will participate in a hike and Junior Ranger activities.
Badlands NP Grades K-8 of Interior Elementary April 24th, 2008 School will complete Junior Ranger activities. Wind Cave NP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Tennessee Fort Donelson NB Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008
Great Smoky Mountains NP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Sugarlands Visitor Center Go salamandering and make old fashioned toys. Great Smoky Mountains NP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Oconaluftee Visitor Center Work with a blacksmith and make old fashioned toys.
Great Smoky Mountains NP Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Cades Cove Cable Mill Area Work with a blacksmith and make old fashioned toys.
Andrew Johnson NHS Civil War Reenactment April 19th, 2008
Andrew Johnson NHS 2nd Biennial 8th of August Conference April 25-26, 2008 Texas Claiborne West Park March For Parks Event May 8-9, 2008 Environmental Education Programs Utah Capitol Reef NP Booth at the Natural Resources Festival April 24-26, 2008
Zion National Park Earth Day Event with Springdale, Utah April 19th, 2008
Zion National Park Junior Ranger Day Booth at Zion April 19th, 2008 Canyon Visitor Center
Cedar Breaks NM Junior Ranger Day July 5th, 2008
Virginia Booker T. Washington NM Junior Ranger Day April 19th, 008 Call 540-721-2094 to register
Petersburg NB Hike Petersburg National Battlefield April 20th, 2008
Petersburg NB Starry, Starry Night Program April 20th, 2008
Richmond National Battlefield Park National Park Week Activities April 19-27, 2008
Richmond National Battlefield Park Junior Ranger Day Event April 26th, 2008
Shenandoah National Park Junior Ranger Day Events April 26th, 2008
Washington North Cascades NP Newhalem Creek Campground April 22nd, 2008 Spring Cleaning
North Cascades NP State Route 20 Highway Litter Pick-up April 24th, 2008 Carpool from Sedro-Woolley call 360-854-7304
North Cascades NP Native Plant Nursery Spring Setup April 26th, 2008 Marblemount Ranger Station
Fort Vancouver NHS Northwest National Park Family Day April 26th, 2008 www.nps.gov/fova
Washington DC Oxon Cove Park Story Telling April 19th, 2008 Visitor Barn
Mary McLeod Bethune Arrowhead Talks April 19-27, 2008 Council House, NHS
Greenbelt Park How the U.S. Army Helps the NPS April 20th, 2008
Oxon Cove Park Tiny Tots Junior Ranger Finale April 26th, 2008 Visitor Barn
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Earth Day Event April 26th, 2008 Visitor Center
West Virginia New River Gorge NR Blooms & Birds of Sandstone Falls April 25th, 2008
New River Gorge NR Wildflower Folklore April 25th, 2008
New River Gorge NR Junior Ranger Day activities April 26th, 2008
New River Gorge NR Flower ID 101 April 27th, 2008
Wisconsin St. Croix National Scenic Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Riverway For Information call 715-483-2274 St. Croix River Visitor Center
St. Croix National Scenic Junior Ranger Day April 26th, 2008 Riverway For Information call 715-635-8346 Namekagon River Visitor Center
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