The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and Susquehanna Heritage will celebrate National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 20, at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, 1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville. Two Junior Ranger programs will be offered, with participants guided through the program by National Park Service and Susquehanna Heritage staff. The Chesapeake Roving Ranger will also be present. Those who are already Junior Rangers are invited to put on their badge and celebrate as well; cake and light refreshments will be available beginning at 10:30 a.m.
One program will be centered around Earth Day, geared to 9- to-12-year-olds and held from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. It will focus on reducing one's environmental footprint, how rain gardens help the Susquehanna River, and how parks conserve energy. Those who complete the activities will earn a Junior Green Ranger patch and will receive a tree seedling provided by the York County Conservation District.
The second program, to be held from 2 to 4 p.m., will be geared to youths ages 6 to 12 and will be focused on the Junior Ranger program. Participants will experience a scavenger hunt at the Contact Station, a short hike to the adjacent Native Lands County Park to learn about the Susquehannock Indians, and a presentation on Susquehanna River wildlife to complete this Junior Ranger book and earn a Junior Ranger badge.
Additionally, the Chesapeake Roving Ranger will be present at the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Visitor Contact Station, located at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, from noon to 4 p.m. Programs will center around the new Chesapeake Bay Junior Ranger book. Those who complete the activities in the book will earn a Chesapeake Bay Junior Ranger Badge.
The Roving Ranger is a collaborative effort between the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office and the Chesapeake Conservancy. The Roving Ranger functions as a traveling visitor center, providing opportunities for families to pick up brochures and passport stamps and participate in interpretive programs.
Admission will be free, though preregistration is required by Wednesday, April 17. Readers may call 717-252-0229 or visit http://www.susquehannaheritage.org/event/national-junior-ranger-day-2 to register or for more information.
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