Junior Ranger

Wester Arctic Jr. Ranger book

Become a Junior Ranger

Junior Rangers at Kobuk Valley National Park have fun exploring and learning about this unique national park situated above the Arctic Circle.

Visitors to the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue, Alaska can pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet.The fun games and activities in the Junior Ranger booklet help participants learn about the natural wonders and culture of Northwest Alaska. Participants can earn a Junior Ranger badge and/or saber toothed tiger Junior Ranger patch after completing the booklet.

You don't have to visit Kobuk Valley National Park to be a Junior Ranger. Anyone can become a Junior Ranger by printing a copy of the Western Arctic National Parklands Junior Ranger book, completing the activities and mailing the book back to the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center. Remember to print on both sides of the page or reuse old paper whenever possible.

Junior Ranger Activities

During the summer, the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center offers a variety of kids program for local children and young visitors alike. Call the front desk or stop by the Visitor Center to see what is happening while you visit! You can take a sneak peek at some of our Junior Ranger programs in these videos highlighting some of our favorite activities.

 

Other Fun Activities

Caribou Soup

The Iñupiaq of Northwest Alaska have made a thriving home in the arctic. The entire ecosystem: sky, sea, and land not only sustain physical needs but also spiritual and cultural needs.

Caribou Soup is our new activity booklet based of Iñupiaq subsistence traditions.Organized around the Iñupiaq subsistence calendar, Caribou Soup is a fun and interactive way to explore what it means to live off the land. This booklet is intended for children of northwest Alaska and only available at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center, located in Kotzebue, Alaska.

Taiku, Caribou Soup was researched and designed in collaboration with Iñupiaq knowledge holders living in northwest Alaska. Local artist, Holly Nordlum of Naniq Designs, was intrumental in illustrating and bringing each activity to life.

Visit our subsistence page to learn more about Kuuvaŋmiut (Iñupiaq of the Kobuk River) subsistence practices.