Safeguarding the Junior Ranger Program

As children and youth complete activity-based learning inside Zion, Cedar Breaks, and Pipe Spring, they are sworn in as the parks’ Junior Rangers. Junior Rangers take an oath to protect the parks, continue to learn, and share their story with others. They join the National Park Service family as they receive an honorary badge that mirrors the lapel badges worn by park rangers. In a very meaningful and personal way, this program connects children and their families to the natural and cultural wonders that our National Parks and public lands hold for all of us.

These iconic park programs are funded through the Zion Forever Project. Each park is responsible for developing a parkspecific curriculum and producing and printing ranger handbooks. This project underwrites these efforts including purchasing badges for its Junior Rangers. With sharply rising visitation, National Parks in our area are struggling to find sufficient funds to keep the Junior Ranger program free for all who wish to participate.

In 2018, more than 40,000 Junior Ranger handbooks were distributed at Zion, Cedar Breaks and Pipe Spring. The three parks also delivered 327 Junior Ranger educational programs from May to September. This project will expand the Junior Ranger program to address increased visitation in Zion, Cedar Breaks, and Pipe Spring assuring that all prospective Junior Rangers have the opportunity to join the ranks and to make their pledge.