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.
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 it Here
2024 Junior Ranger Sessions
Western Region
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Central Region
| Park | Age Range | Dates | Contacts | Flyer Download |
|---|
Elk Neck State Park
| Junior Rangers | July 10, 17, 24, 2024 | Shauna Staup
shawna.staup@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
Elk Neck State Park
| Park Pals | August 7, 14, 21, 2024 | Shauna Staup
shawna.staup@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Patapsco Valley State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10 | Session 1: July 22-26
10 am - Noon |
SoldiersDelight.StatePark@maryland.gov |
*Forthcoming |
|
Patapsco Valley State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14 | Session 1: July 22-26
1 pm - 2:30 pm
|
SoldiersDelight.StatePark@maryland.gov |
*Forthcoming |
|
Seneca Creek State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 10 | Session 1: July 8-12
9 am - Noon | Dylan Wagner
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Seneca Creek State Park | Junior 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 Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14 | Session 1: June 24 - 28
9 am - noon | Dylan Wagner
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Seneca Creek State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 11 - 14 | Session 2: TBD
| Dylan Wagner
dylan.wagner@maryland.gov |
Click to View
|
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Southern Region
| Park | Age Range | Dates | Contacts | Flyer Download |
|---|
| Coming Soon | Junior Rangers | TBA
| *Forthcoming*
| TBA |
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Eastern Region
| Park | Age Range | Dates | Contacts | Flyer Download |
|---|
|
Cypress Branch State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 11 | Thursdays, June 20 - July 18
7pm - 8:30pm
| Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View
|
|
Cypress Branch State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 4 - 6 | Thursdays, June 20 - July 18
6pm - 7pm | Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park | Junior Rangers
Ages 5 and Up | Tuesday - Sunday, During business hours
10am - 3pm | Michael Fray
michaelg.fray@maryland.gov |
|
|
Janes Island State Park | Junior Rangers | June 26 - June 28
9 am - Noon | Mark Herring
Mark.herring@maryland.gov |
|
|
Janes Island State Park | Junior Rangers | July 31 - August 2
9 am - Noon | Mark Herring
Mark.herring@maryland.gov |
|
|
Martinak State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 11 | July 22 - July 26
7pm - 8:30pm | Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Martinak State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 4 - 6 | July 22 - July 26
6pm - 7pm | Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Tuckahoe State Park | Junior Rangers,
Ages 7 - 11 | Tuesdays, June 18 - July 16
7pm - 8:30pm | Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
|
Tuckahoe State Park | Park Pals,
Ages 4 - 6 | Tuesdays, June 18 - July 16
6pm - 7pm | Erin Gale
erin.gale@maryland.gov |
Click to View |
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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