This year, take a moment, an hour, a day to visit the national parks near you.

Your National Parks are living examples of the best our country has to offer - our magnificent natural landscapes and our varied yet interrelated heritage. Parks can provide recreational experiences, opportunities to learn and grow, and places of quiet refuge.  There are special events for National Park Week at several of our partner parks as well as parks across the country.  Many of these events focus on connecting our younger generation to their parks.  Junior Ranger activities are designed to engage children and families in the stories embodied in their National Parks.

Central High School National Historic Site
April 25, Junior Ranger Day - Anyone between the ages of 9 and 12 can join park rangers from 10:00 a.m. noon at the Visitor Center on a Scavenger Hunt to learn about the Little Rock Nine and the 1957 crisis and have an opportunity to become Junior Rangers.  

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial - Gateway Arch
April 25, Junior Ranger Day - Special activities connected to the Museum of Westward Expansion themes of westward expansion during the 1800s. 9:00 - 6:00

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
April 25 - Volunteer Clean Up: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Join refuge staff and refuge volunteers in cleaning up the Bloomington Ferry Unit. Gloves, bags, and lunch will be provided. For information call 952-858-0715.  
April 25, Junior Ranger Day - Various activities at the Visitor Center located in the Science Center. Starting at 1 p.m.

Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
April 25 - Park rangers will highlight the diversity of the national park system.  Young visitors will get a taste of several other park types, including Mammoth Cave National Park, George Washington Carver National Memorial, and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. What's the difference? Come and find out! 

Visit the National Park Service official website for more information on Junior Ranger programs.

You can also visit the National Park Service website for more National Park Week activities across the country.