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 2024 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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​2024​ Junior Ranger Sessions


Western Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContactsFlyer Download
​Deep Creek Lake State Park​​Junior RangersThursdays: June 20th - August 1st
1 pm ​- 2:30 pm
Kathy Barger
kathryn.barger@maryland.gov

​New Germany State Park​​Park PalsThursdays: July 11th - August 8thNoah Manges
Noah.Manges@maryland.gov

​New Germany State Park​​SproutsThursdays: September 5th - October 3rd​
Noah Manges
Noah.Manges@maryland.gov



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Central Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContactsFlyer Download
Cunningham Falls State Park and
Gambrill State Park
Junior Rangers
July 11, 18, 25
August 1, 8, 15
Analeigh Gardner
analeigh.gardner@maryland.gov
Click to View​
Elk Neck State Park
Junior Rangers
July 10, 17, 24, 2024Shauna Staup
shawna.staup@maryland.gov
Click to View
Elk Neck State Park
Park PalsAugust 7, 14, 21, 2024Shauna Staup
shawna.staup@maryland.gov
Click to View
Gunpowder Falls State Park
Junior Rangers
Ages 7-10​
July 15 - 19
9 am - 12 pm
Madelyn Farrell
madelyn.farrell@maryland.gov
Click to View​
Gunpowder Falls State Park
Junior Rangers
Ages 11-14​
July 15 - 19
​1 pm - 4 pm
Madelyn Farrell
madelyn.farrell@maryland.gov
Click to View
Patapsco Valley State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10
Session 1: July 22-26
10 am - Noon
SoldiersDelight.StatePark@maryland.gov

Patapsco Valley State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14
Session 1: July 22-26
1 pm - 2:30 pm​
SoldiersDelight.StatePark@maryland.gov

Rocks State ParkJunior Rangers, and Park Pals​
Ages 4 - 10
​ ​​July 23 - 25​
Elizabeth Butz
elizabeth.butz@maryland.gov
Click to View​
​​​ Seneca Creek State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10
Session 1: July 8-12
9 am - Noon
Dylan Wagner
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov
Click to View​
Seneca Creek State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10
Session 2: July 22 - July 26
9 am - noon
Dylan Wagner
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov
Click to View
Seneca Creek State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14
Session 1: June 24 - 28
9 am - noon
Dylan Wagner
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov
Click to View
Seneca Creek State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14
Session 2: TBD​
Dylan Wagner
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov
Click to View

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Southern Region

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

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Eastern Region

ParkAge RangeDatesContactsFlyer Download
Cypress Branch State ParkJunior Rangers,
​Ages 7 - 11
Thursdays, June 20 - July 18
7pm - 8:30pm​
Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov
Click to View
Cypress Branch State ParkPark Pals,
​Ages 4 - 6
Thursdays, June 20 - Ju​​​ly 18
6pm - 7pm
Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov
Click to View
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State ParkJunior Rangers
Ages 5 and Up
Tuesday - Sunday, During business hours
10am - 3pm
Michael Fray
michaelg.fray@maryland.gov

Janes Island State ParkJunior RangersJune 26 - June 28
9 am - Noon
Mark Herring
Mark.herring@maryland.gov

Janes Island State ParkJunior RangersJuly 31 - August​ 2
9 am - Noon
Mark Herring
Mark.herring@maryland.gov

Martinak State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 11
July 22 - July 26
7pm - 8:30pm
Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov
Click to View
Martinak State ParkPark Pals,
Ages 4 - 6
July 22 - July 26
6pm - 7pm
Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov
Click to View
Tuckahoe State ParkJunior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 11
Tuesdays, June 18 - July 16
7pm - 8:30pm
Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov
Click to View
Tuckahoe State ParkPark Pals,
Ages 4 - 6
Tuesdays, June 18 - July 16
​6pm - 7pm
Erin Gale
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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