Junior Ranger

NPS Photo   What is a Junior Ranger? A Junior Ranger is someone who helps protect and preserve national parks. They have fun exploring national parks, learning about nature and history, and sharing their adventures with friends, families, and schoolmates. The program provides a fun opportunity to discover Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and how to protect it - similar to park rangers! Who Can Be a Junior Ranger? Anyone! This program is geared towards children, but visitors of all ages are welcome to take part and get sworn in.   NPS Photo How do I Become a Junior Ranger at Sleeping Bear Dunes? Step 1: Pick up a book! Junior Ranger books are designed with place-based activities to be completed while visiting the park. You can stop by one of the following locations to get your free copy of the Junior Ranger book: Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, in Empire (open year-round) Dune Center Bookstore, at the Dune Climb (open seasonally) General Store, in Glen Haven (open seasonally) The Cannery Museum, in Glen Haven (open seasonally) The Maritime Museum (open seasonally) Platte River Campground Office (open seasonally) D.H. Day Campground Office (open seasonally) South Manitou Island Ranger Station (open seasonally) Step 2: Fill out your book! The inside cover of the Junior Ranger book outlines the requirements, based on your age. If you are 4-6 years old, complete at least 4 activities. If you are 7-9 years old, complete at least 8 activities. If you are 10 or older, complete at least 11 activities. These requirements are enough to earn a Junior Ranger badge. To earn a Junior Ranger patch in addition to the badge, you will also need to do one of the following: Attend a ranger-led activity Go on an adventure in the lakeshore Complete a service project Step 3: Turn your book in! After you complete the activities, return to one of the following locations. Here, a ranger or volunteer will review your book with you! Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, in Empire (open year-round) The Cannery Museum, in Glen Haven (open seasonally) The Maritime Museum (open seasonally) Platte River Campground Office (open seasonally) D.H. Day Campground Office (open seasonally) South Manitou Island Ranger Station (open seasonally)   NPS Photo What if I don't have enough time to finish the book before I leave Sleeping Bear Dunes? Not a problem! Once you've completed your book, you can mail it to us. We will review your Junior Ranger book and mail you an official Junior Ranger Badge and certificate! Please send completed books to: Philip A. Hart Visitor Center 9922 Front Street Empire, MI 49630 Want to get your Junior Ranger book before you visit? Contact us to have a copy of the Junior Ranger Book sent to you via email or snail mail. More Junior Ranger Books Already a Sleeping Bear Dunes Junior Ranger? Try another Junior Ranger book!   The following books are available at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire. Once completed, they can also be turned in at the Visitor Center. Junior Ranger Let's Go Fishing! Junior Ranger Night Explorer Junior Ranger Sound Explorer Certification and sticker for completion are found in the back of this book   The following books are available online, to be printed out at home. Once completed, they can be turned in at the Visitor Center. Great Lakes Junior Ranger Activity Book Junior Ranger Wildland Fire