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 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
  • Plants
  • ​​​Animals
  • Conservation
  • Earth Hour


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

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​2023 Junior Ranger Sessions


Western Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContactsFlyer Download
​​ Deep Creek Lake State Park
Junior Rangers​
Ages: 7 - 12​
Thursdays, June 29 - Aug. 3
1 - 2:30 pm
chance.friend@maryland.gov
Greenbrier State ParkRoving Junior Rangers
Ages: 3 - 17
Ongoing greenbrier.statepark@maryland.gov Click Here to View
Rocky Gap State ParkJunior Rangers
Ages: 7 - 12
Every Thursday for 6 weeks. Starting June 22
samantha.dixon@maryland.gov

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Central Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContactsFlyer 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 ParkPark Pals,
Ages 3 - 6
August 2, 9, 16, 2023
9:30 am - 11:30 am
shawna.staup@maryland.gov Click to View
Fair Hill NRMAJunior​ RangersJuly 10 - July 14
9 am - Noon​
shinae.gonzalez@maryland.govCheck Back for More info
Fair Hill NRMAPark Pals​
July 10 - July 14
1 pm - 3 pm
shinae.gonzalez@maryland.govCheck Back for More Info
Fair Hill NRMASprouts,
Ages 1 - 3
Tuesdays, May 2 - June 6 shinae.gonzalez@maryland.govCheck 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 ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 14
July 24 - 28, 2023 Please Call:
410-557-7994
Click to View
Rocks State ParkPark Pals,
Ages 4 - 6​
July 24 - 28, 2023 Please Call:
410-557-7994
Click to View​
Seneca Creek State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10
July 3-7
9 am - Noon
dylan.wagner@maryland.govCheck Back for More Info
Seneca Creek State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10
July 31 - Aug 4
9 am - noon
dylan.wagner@maryland.govCheck Back for More Info
Seneca Creek State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14
July 17 - 21
9 am - noon
dylan.wagner@maryland.govCheck Back for More Info

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Southern Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContactsFlyer Download
Point Lookout State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 8 - 14
Returning in 2023
*Forthcoming*
Sandy Point State ParkJunior Rangers
Ages 7 - 14​
Aug. 7, 9 and 11
10 am - 12:30 pm
myia.tariq@maryland.gov Click to View Flyer

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Eastern Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContactsFlyer Download
Cypress Branch State ParkJunior Rangers,
​Ages 7 - 11
Thursdays, June 22 - July 27
7pm
erin.gale@maryland.gov Click to View
Cypress Branch State ParkPark Pals,
​Ages 4 - 6
Thursdays, June 22 - Ju​​​ly 27
7pm
erin.gale@maryland.gov Click to View
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State ParkJunior Rangers,
​Ages 5+
Tuesday - Sunday
During business hours (10 am - 3 pm)
michaelg.fray@maryland.gov
Janes Island State ParkJunior Rangers,
​Ages 7 - 13
June 28th, 29th, and 30th
9 am - Noon
Mark.Herring@maryland.gov
Janes Island State ParkJunior Rangers,
​Ages 7 - 13
August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
9 am - Noon​
Mark.Herring@maryland.gov
Martinak State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 11
July 24 - July 28
7pm
erin.gale@maryland.gov Click to View
Martinak State ParkPark Pals,
Ages 4 - 6
July 24 - July 28
6pm
erin.gale@maryland.gov Click to View
Tuckahoe State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 11
Tuesdays, June 20 - July 25
7pm
erin.gale@maryland.gov Click to View
Tuckahoe State ParkPark Pals,
Ages 4 - 6
Tuesdays, June 20 - July 25
​6pm
erin.gale@maryland.gov 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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