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.
View the 2023 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
Park Rangers and Naturalists lead children through the fundamentals of environmental education and stewardship. Junior Rangers can earn three achievement awards: Basic, Advanced and Expert. Once they complete their Expert Achievement award, they begin to earn patches in our more self-guided levels, such as Naturalist, Explorer, Conservationist and Guide.
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 it Here
2023 Junior Ranger Sessions
Western Region
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Central Region
| Park | Age Range | Dates | Contacts | Flyer Download |
|---|
Elk Neck State Park
| Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10 | July 5, 12, 19, 2023
9:30 am- 11:30 am |
shawna.staup@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
Elk Neck State Park
| Junior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14 | July 6, 13, 20, 2023
9:30 am - 11:30 am |
shawna.staup@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Elk Neck State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 3 - 6 | August 2, 9, 16, 2023
9:30 am - 11:30 am |
shawna.staup@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Fair Hill NRMA | Junior Rangers | July 10 - July 14
9 am - Noon
|
shinae.gonzalez@maryland.gov | Check Back for More info |
|
Fair Hill NRMA | Park Pals
| July 10 - July 14
1 pm - 3 pm |
shinae.gonzalez@maryland.gov | Check Back for More Info |
|
Fair Hill NRMA | Sprouts,
Ages 1 - 3 | Tuesdays, May 2 - June 6 |
shinae.gonzalez@maryland.gov | Check Back for More Info |
|
Patapsco Valley State Park (McKeldin) | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10 | July 24 - 28, 2023
10 am - 11:30 am |
melissa.carson@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Patapsco Valley State Park (McKeldin) | Junior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14 | July 24 - 28, 2023
2 pm - 3:30 pm
|
melissa.carson@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Rocks State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 14 | July 24 - 28, 2023 | Please Call:
410-557-7994 |
Click to View |
|
Rocks State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 4 - 6
| July 24 - 28, 2023 | Please Call:
410-557-7994 |
Click to View |
|
Seneca Creek State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10 | July 3-7
9 am - Noon |
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov | Check Back for More Info |
|
Seneca Creek State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10 | July 31 - Aug 4
9 am - noon |
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov | Check Back for More Info |
|
Seneca Creek State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14 | July 17 - 21
9 am - noon |
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov | Check Back for More Info |
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Southern Region
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Eastern Region
| Park | Age Range | Dates | Contacts | Flyer Download |
|---|
|
Cypress Branch State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 11 | Thursdays, June 22 - July 27
7pm |
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View
|
|
Cypress Branch State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 4 - 6 | Thursdays, June 22 - July 27
7pm |
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 5+ | Tuesday - Sunday
During business hours (10 am - 3 pm) |
michaelg.fray@maryland.gov | |
|
Janes Island State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 13 | June 28th, 29th, and 30th
9 am - Noon |
Mark.Herring@maryland.gov | |
|
Janes Island State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 13 | August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
9 am - Noon
|
Mark.Herring@maryland.gov | |
|
Martinak State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 11 | July 24 - July 28
7pm |
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Martinak State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 4 - 6 | July 24 - July 28
6pm |
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Tuckahoe State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 11 | Tuesdays, June 20 - July 25
7pm |
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Tuckahoe State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 4 - 6 | Tuesdays, June 20 - July 25
6pm |
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
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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