For Kids

Living history interpreters of all ages can bring history to life, giving visitors of any age interpreters to visit with about people's experiences in the 18th century.

NPS Photo/Kristin Vinduska

Becoming a Junior Ranger

What is a Junior Ranger?

A junior ranger attends ranger programs, completes activities in a workbook, and promises to take care of Saratoga National Historical Park. Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 to 13, although people of all ages can participate.

It is a great way to learn and have fun in the park!

How do you become a Junior Ranger?

When you arrive in the park, stop by the visitor center to obtain your booklet. Complete activities in the booklet and attend ranger programs. A park employee or volunteer will check your answers, sign your booklet, and give you an official Saratoga Junior Ranger badge.

What about the National Junior Ranger program?

"Explore. Learn. Protect." The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country; each taking an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family.

The NPS Junior Ranger program is an activity based program conducted in almost all parks, and some Junior Ranger programs are national. Many national parks offer young visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service "family" as Junior Rangers.

Boy Scouts of America

Saratoga National Historical Park participates in the Boy Scouts of America's National Historic Trails Program. Scouts hiking our historic Wilkinson Trail as part of a Scout unit function can earn a trail award.

Award Requirements

Trail Awards are available directly from Twin Rivers Council. Units interested in these awards must contact the Council to order them, they are NOT available at Saratoga National Historical Park.

For Boy Scouts

• A Trail Patch is available to all Boy Scouts and leaders who complete the main loop of the Wilkinson Trail (approx. 4.2 miles). The patches can be obtained through the Twin Rivers Council.
• A Trail Medal is available to all Boy Scouts who hike the Wilkinson Trail and Scout Annex Trail (approx. 8 miles) and complete the Trail Questionnaire with at least 70% accuracy. Participating Scouts who complete the extended hike for the medal also qualify for the patch.

For Cub Scouts

• A Trail Patch is available to all Cub Scouts and leaders who hike the Liaison Trail section of the Wilkinson Trail (approx. 2 miles) or complete the Tour Road by car or bicycle. The patches can be obtained through the Twin Rivers Council.

Leader Packets are available by e-mailing us..

Girl Scouts of America

Saratoga National Historical Park also participates in an award program through the Girl Scouts of America. By completing a series of activities, based on their level in the program, Girl Scouts can earn a Saratoga National Historical Park Award Patch.

A downloadable Activity Sheet is available

Girl Scout Activity Sheet (Word document, 169 KB)

 

Student Research Packet (Elementary level)

Doing a research paper on the Battle of Saratoga or the American Revolution and you're looking for great material? We can help! Our Student Research Packet is full of pictures, maps, illustrations, and information about soldiers during the Battle of Saratoga, weapons of the American Revolution, uniforms, food, important people at the Battle of Saratoga, and more. And it's FREE!

We're not doing research for you, but we are providing some excellent information...probably more than you'll need for your project.

Don't let "elementary" fool you! There's lots of great info in the packet for middle-school level projects too.

We are currently redesigning our Student Research Packet for web compatibility, we apologize for the inconvenience. If you would like a copy of the current packet made available to you, please e-mail us..