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.
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.
Western Region
| Park | Age Range | Dates | Contacts | Info |
|---|
|
Deep Creek Lake State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7-12 | June 23, 30 and July 7, 14, 21, 28;
1-2:30pm |
Olivia.Hager@maryland.gov |
Click Here for Flyer |
|
Cunningham Falls | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7-12 | June 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28 and Aug 4;
6 - 7:30pm |
Carolyn.Leamond@maryland.gov
|
Click Here for Flyer |
|
Rocky Gap State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7-12 | June 30, July 7, 14, 21, and 28,
1-3pm
Graduation Aug. 5 |
samantha.dixon@maryland.gov,
mollie.kemp@maryland.gov |
Click Here for Flyer
|
|
Greenbrier State Park | Junior Rangers | Returning in 2023 |
cecilia.melton@maryland.gov | Returning in 2023 |
Central Region
| Park | Age Range | Dates | Contacts | Info |
|---|
|
Elk Neck State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 6 - 13 | July 19, 21, 26, 28 and August 2, 4
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. |
shawna.staup@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Elk Neck State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 3 - 5 | Sept. 21, 28 and Oct. 5, 12, 19, 2022
10am - 11:30am |
shawna.staup@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Fair Hill NRMA | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 12 | July 11- 15;
9am- 12pm |
Amy.Sypher@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Gunpowder Falls State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 9 - 15 | Aug. 15 - 19;
10am - 2pm |
margaret.white@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Patapsco Valley State Park (Avalon) | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10 | June 20-24
10am - 11:30am |
alyssa.myers@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Patapsco Valley State Park (McKeldin) | Junior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14 | June 20-24
2pm - 3:30pm |
alyssa.myers@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Seneca Creek State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10 | July 4-8
9am - Noon |
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Seneca Creek State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10 | Aug. 1-5
9am - Noon |
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Seneca Creek State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14 | July 18-22
9am - Noon |
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
Southern Region
Eastern Region
| Park | Age Range | Dates | Contacts | Info |
|---|
|
Tuckahoe State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 14 | June 21, 28 and July 5, 12, 19, 26
7 - 8:30pm |
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Tuckahoe State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 3 - 6 | June 21, 28 and July 5, 12, 19, 26
6-7PM |
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Martinak State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 14 | June 21, 28 and July 5, 12, 19, 26
7 - 8:30pm |
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Martinak State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 3 - 6 | June 21, 28 and July 5, 12, 19, 26
6-7PM |
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
|
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 5+ | Tuesday-Sunday
10am - 3pm |
chaney.dale@maryland.org |
Click for Flyer |
|
Janes Island State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 9 - 13 | Aug 1 - 3
9am- 12pm |
Mark.Herring@maryland.gov |
Click for Flyer |
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.)
