March 25 is Junior Ranger Day at Everglades National Park

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Everglades National Park will host Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Junior Ranger Day is an annual event that highlights youth in national parks and the Junior Ranger Program which engages kids and families while visiting National Park Service sites.

Three of south Florida’s national parks—Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and Big Cypress National Preserve—have a joint Junior Ranger program. Junior Ranger Activity Guides are available in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole and may be obtained at any of the park visitor centers. The program is designed for kids 8-12 years old, but is available to kids of all ages. Everglades National Park also has a Deputy Junior Ranger program for younger children.

On Junior Ranger Day, kids can participate in special activities at the park and earn their Junior Ranger badge.

At Shark Valley Visitor Center – located on US Highway 41, 25 miles west of the FL Turnpike

  • Event takes place from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and families may proceed at their own pace.
  • Participate in family-friendly activities around the visitor center and short ranger-led hikes.
  • Bike rentals and tram tours are available from the concession for a fee.
  • At 2:00 p.m. there will be a ceremony to award the new Junior Rangers with their badges.

At Royal Palm Visitor Center – 12 miles west of Homestead on State Road 9336

  • Event takes place from 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and families may proceed at their own pace.
  • Families can explore the Anhinga Trail where rangers will be stationed with activities for children.
  • Free Homestead Trolley rides from the City of Homestead or the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to Royal Palm include free entrance to the park. See website for trolley times: http://www.cityofhomestead.com/index.aspx?nid=357

All participants will receive a Junior Ranger Activity Guide as well as a Junior Ranger badge and more upon completion of the program. Come out to Explore, Learn, and Protect your park!

For more information and directions to Everglades National Park, visit the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/ever or call (305) 242-7700.

This and other park news releases are available at www.nps.gov/ever/parknews/newsreleases.htm

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