Maryland Junior Ranger Program

Welcome to the Maryland Junior Rangers!

This program is built around the people and places that make Maryland so special. During this program Junior Rangers will:

  • explore the parks, natural and historical areas,
  • Learn about conservation and stewardship,
  • and explore recreational opportunities.
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View the 2025​ Junior Ranger Sessions​


The mission of the Maryland Junior Ranger Program​ is to encourage children to discover and connect with the natural world and celebrate their culture and heritage through play, learning, and service in the outdoors, under the mentorship of Park Rangers and other natural resource professionals.

Through a combination of recreational opportunities and hands-on environmental education activities including hiking, games, and crafts, the Junior Ranger program engages children ages 3-14 in learning about the following topics:

  • ​Parks & Park Rangers
  • People
  • Planet Earth
  • Plants
  • ​​​Animals
  • Conservation
  • Earth Hour


Park Rangers and Naturalists lead children through the fundamentals of environmental education and stewardship.

To better accommodate a variety of developmental levels and interests, Junior Rangers are typically divided into these age categories.

  • Sprouts, ages 2-4
  • Park Pals, ages 3-6
  • Junior Rangers, ages 7-10
  • Junior Rangers, ages 11-14
  • Teen Rangers, ages 15-17

The sessions will typically last 1 to 1 ½ hours each, totalling approximately 6 hours. Often they are offered over a series of six sessions, though some parks will lump sessions together for a mini summer camp or school’s out camp. In order to earn their Junior Ranger status, children must attend all sessions. Check with each park for their specific availability.

READY to get started…but sessions haven’t started yet? Start with these two activities.


Junior Ranger Oath:

“As a Junior Ranger, I promise to protect, preserve and respect the natural resources of Maryland State Parks. While at home, I will learn about the natural world and I will share what I learn with my family and friends. I pledge to do my part to protect the natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources of my public lands for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”

 

Learn More about the Maryland Junior Rangers Program with the Junior Rangers Adventure Guide!

Download the Bilingual Edition Here!​

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​2025​ Junior Ranger Sessions


Western Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContacts​
Graduation Date​Flyer Download
​Deep Creek Lake State Park​​Junior RangersJune 26th-Aug7th (skipping July 3rd)Kathy Barger
kathryn.barger@maryland.gov
Aug 7th
​New Germany State Park​​Park PalsJuly 16th to August 13thNoah Manges
Noah.Manges@maryland.gov
​Aug 13​th

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Central Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContacts​Graduation DateFlyer Download
​​​​ Seneca Creek State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 14
Self-guided
Dylan Wagner
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov
TBD Self-Guided Junior Rangers Flyer

Adventure Card

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Southern Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContactsFlyer Download
Coming SoonJunior RangersTBA​
*Forthcoming*​​​
TBA​

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Eastern Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContactsGraduation DateFlyer Download
Cypress Branch State ParkJunior Rangers,
​Ages 7 - 14​
Tuesdays, June 17 - July 15
7pm - 8:30pm​
Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov
July 31st Click to View
Cypress Branch State ParkPark Pals,
​Ages 4 - 6
Tuesday​s, June 17​ - Ju​​​ly 15
6pm - 7pm
Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov
July 31st Click to View
​​ Janes Island State ParkJunior RangersJuly 16th - 18thBrian Bokulic
brian.bokulic@maryland.gov
July 18th
​​ Tuckahoe State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 14​​
Thursdays, June 19 - July 17​​​​
7pm - 8:30pm
Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov
July 31st Click to View
Tuckahoe State ParkPark Pals,
Ages 4 - 6
Thursdays​, June 19​ - July 17
​6pm - 7pm
Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov
​July 31st Click to View
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For questions or additional information about the Junior Ranger Program, you may contact: Melissa Boyle Acuti by email: Melissa.boyle@maryland.gov​
(Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.)

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