Virtual Junior Ranger

Junior Ranger Badges

NPS Photo/D Yun

Explore Gateway from your living room.

You don’t need to leave the couch to become a Junior Ranger at Gateway. Just answer these questions and you can receive a virtual badge.

Being a Junior Ranger means living up to the Junior Ranger motto, "Explore, Learn, Protect."

1. Explore - Be adventurous! Go see and do the exciting things that America's National Parks have to offer.

2. Learn - Find the facts! There are a lot of really cool things that you can learn from the National Parks, including information about America's history, culture, and natural treasures.

3. Protect - Be a friend of the National Parks! Do what you can to make sure other people can enjoy the park after you.

In the United States, there are 419 national park sites. That includes national parks, seashores, recreation areas, historical parks, lakeshores, monuments, preserves, battlefields, and memorials. How do you know if the park you are in is a national park? Look for the arrowhead!! It is on our signs, uniforms, and brochures! It symbolizes everything we love about our national parks.

Using the pages of our website, you can complete the quiz below to earn your Virtual Ranger badge!
To reveal the answers, slide over the question when you are ready.

 

What Type of Bird Is This?

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Question: What Type of Bird Is This

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Answer: slide to reveal

Some people call me a "Fish Hawk" because I'm a large, fish-eating raptor.
Who am I?

More than 330 species of birds have been seen at Gateway National Recreation Area, and this one usually visits from mid-March through October. In the winter, it migrates to Central and South American.

Hint: If you need a hint, fly on over to Bird Biographies of some of the birds found at Gateway National Recreation Area.

Photo taken by Jake Danishevsky

 

Where is the Oldest Lighthouse in the United States?

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Question: Where is the Oldest Operating Lighthouse in the United States

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Answer: slide to reveal

First lit on June 11, 1764, this lighthouse has been guiding ships into New York's harbor longer than any other lighthouse in the country.

Click here for a hint.

 

 

What Are Some Things You Can Do To Protect Gateway?

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Question: What are some things you can do to protect Gateway?

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Answer: slide to reveal

We say, "Leave No Trace". That means we leave Gateway the same as we found it. Talk to Mom and Dad about "Leave No Trace". You can enjoy the park and work together to make it a better place!

Learn more about "Leave No Trace" at Gateway here.

 

Floyd Bennett Field Was NYC's First ???

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Question: Floyd Bennett Field was NYC's first ?

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Answer: slide to reveal

Floyd Bennett Field was NYC's first what? 

Click here for a hint

 

What is an Estuary

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Question: What is an estuary

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Answer: slide to reveal

What is an estuary?
Hint: Take a look at this map. Would you be in the same body of water if you sailed from Plumb Beach to Sandy Hook

 

What Is This Animal?

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Question: What Is This Animal?

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Answer: slide to reveal

These animals can be found on the beaches of Jamaica Bay and Staten Island during the spring. They are often called "Living Fossils" because their species is estimated to be around 450 million years old!

 

Gateway is a big park with the largest open natural space in the area.

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Question: Why Do You Think Gateway is Important for Local Residents?

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Answer: slide to reveal

Gateway was established in 1972 to be the first urban National Park in the country. The park combines large open areas with important historic sites to provide recreation opportunities for large numbers of people.

Learn about some of the things you can do at Gateway here.

 

Imagine You Are Visiting Gateway National Recreation Area

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Question: Imagine You Are Visiting Gateway National Recreation Area. What are some sounds you might hear on your visit?

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Answer: slide to reveal

Imagine You Are Visiting Gateway National Recreation Area. Gateway is a big, busy park. People enjoy doing many different things in the park, and many animals call the park their home. 

What are some sounds you might hear on your visit?

 

Great Job with these questions!

 

Gateway Jr Ranger Badge

NPS Photo

To download your virtual ranger badge, right click and "save image as" jpeg. Navigate to your downloads folder and open the image on your computer. From there you can print.

A few ideas for displaying your badge:

Print your badge, use it as a template to cut a piece of cardboard matching the shape, and then glue the paper and a pin onto the cardboard!

Use tape to secure it into your passport or scrapbook!

You can also bring it to one of Gateway's visitor center's once the park has resumed normal operations. Show the ranger your virtual badge and get a real badge.