If you’re tired of your kids’ video games, you’ve already seen that episode of Barney and Thomas the Train one too many times (once was way too many for me), and you’re ready to see some sights with a purpose, then let me share my National Parks story with you.
This summer I lived vicariously through my older sister who packed her three kids and her dog into her mini van. She traveled across the United States, camped in National Parks, and viewed the wonders of our country.
My family decided to trail along with her for a small portion of her adventure.
We drove 7 hours to the Grand Canyon, camped in a campsite where elk roamed free, and visited one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. It was stunning. Our kids were so excited. And we literally had to put a leash on our two-year-old because he just wanted to walk right off over the edge.
While we were there, trying to figure out where the bathrooms were and how to find the start of the trail we had planned to take, our kids wandered off to join a crowd of people who were listening to a ranger. They were captivated . . .all six kids (even the feisty two-year-old). We ended up skipping the trail and following the ranger around for an hour as he talked about how the canyon was formed, the various rock layers, types of fossils that were embedded in the layers, and how to recognize them.
At the end of the Ranger Talk, some kids walked up to the ranger and asked if he would sign them off on their activity booklets. They took the Junior Ranger Pledge, right then and there. My kids really wanted to take the Ranger Pledge as well, but they hadn’t fulfilled the requirements yet. He signed their National Parks Passports and smiled for a picture.
Up until that very moment, I had no idea there even was such a thing as becoming a Junior Ranger. But my kids were excited, so we went back to our camp site and they worked on their own Junior Ranger Activity Books.
That evening we returned to the park and the kids met with another park ranger who led them through the Junior Ranger Motto. They took an oath to protect parks, continue to learn about national parks, and to share their own ranger story with friends and family.
Then we attended a lecture as part of the Grand Canyon Star Party. Afterwards, we got to stumble around a completely darkened parking lot looking through giant telescopes at planets and nebula. It was fantastically amazing. And we had just stumbled upon it all by accident.
It made me think, “What if we were more intentional?”
What if we actually PLANNED to see and learn from these places and monuments that have been set aside because of the history or importance they hold for our country? Maybe there are amazing opportunities like this even closer to home?
We can PLAN to “EXPLORE, LEARN, and PROTECT”? (Junior Ranger Motto)
According to the National Park Service website, “the NPS Junior Ranger program is an activity based program conducted in almost all parks, and some Junior Ranger programs are national. Many national parks offer young visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service ‘family’ as Junior Rangers. Interested youth complete a series of activities during a park visit. Then they share their answers with a park ranger and receive an official Junior Ranger patch and certificate. Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 to 13, although people of all ages can participate.”
On our drive home, we pulled off of I-25 about 3.5 hours away from Albuquerque, to visit another National Park, The Petrified Forest. The drive to the Museum through the Painted Desert is breathtaking. There are a lot of trails to walk and things to see. We did not walk any trails because it was 104 degrees, and our youngest Asher was napping in the car. However, the drive itself was like nothing I’ve ever seen. When we arrived at the museum, we were excited to see a few dinosaur bones on exhibit. There’s also an area for kids to pretend to dig up a fossil. And lest we forget the reason for the name of the park, the Petrified Forest was indeed amazing to see. Huge boulder sized tree trunks turned to petrified rock.
Amazing to think about how all of those things came to be!
We also passed El Morro National Monument where over 2,000 signatures are carved into sandstone dating back to Pueblo times. We drove by El Malpais National Monument, a geological landscape created by volcanic activity. In Albuquerque, the Petroglyph National Monument showcases thousands of prehistoric Native American drawings on stone walls.
Imagine the great things our kids can learn about United States history, geology, archaeology . . . just by visiting these locations!
One of my favorite moments was when my son was recanting the types of fossils he had found at the Grand Canyon. He explained in his own words, how the fossil of a sea animal could end up at the TOP. He also talked about Nebulas and rings around planets for days after we got home.
What types of things can he learn right here in New Mexico, close to home?
We actually have Junior Ranger Programs available in the state of New Mexico. You can find them at the following locations.
Bandelier National Monument, Capulin Volcano National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, El Malpais National Monument, El Morro National Monument, Fort Union National Monument, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Pecos National Historical Park, Santa Fe National Historic Trail, and White Sands National Monument.
Plan your visit to a National Park! Go see what your Junior Rangers can learn!!!
Then come back here and tell me all about it! My kids and I have so much exploring to do. We need your advice on which parks to visit first!
