Scout Ranger Program

A Boy Scout smiling in uniform

NPS Photo

What is the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Program?

The Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger program is a partnership between the National Park Service and the Boy Scouts of America. The program invites Scouts and Cub Scouts to participate in educational and/or volunteer service projects at national park sites. These activities spark their awareness of the national parks and provide Scouts with the opportunity to explore their national parks and learn more about protecting our natural and cultural resources. Scouts are awarded certificates and/or patches after meeting certain requirements of the program. Please read on to learn more.

Official Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger patch

How Can You Earn a Certificate and/or Patch?

Scouts and Cub Scouts (boys, girls, and young adults) can participate in the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Program through a troop, event, travel, or camp experience, and will be awarded a certificate and/or patch upon completion.

To earn a Scout Ranger certificate, Scouts should participate in organized education activities and/or volunteer service projects for a minimum of five (5) hours at one or more national parks. Once these hours are completed, download the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Certificate of Completion, which is based on the honor system.

In addition, to earn a Scout Ranger patch, certificate of completion, and letter of recognition, Scouts should participate in organized educational activities or volunteer service projects for a minimum of ten (10) hours at one or more national parks. Examples of qualifying organized educational programs include the following:

• Ranger-guided interpretive tours
• Junior Ranger programs
• Environmental education programs
• Any other official NPS education program (campfire program, ranger-led hike, etc.)

As you participate in the 10 hours of service, please complete the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger activity tracking sheet (individual Scout), or use the unit activity tracking sheet if you are requesting patches for a group. Present it to an NPS staff member at the last park you participated at, or email them directly. If the park does not have a patch to give you, please submit a request to receive your patch, certificate, and letter of recognition by mail through our new online webstore. Note that this webstore is only for those who have completed the full 10 hours. Please kindly do not submit requests where fewer than 10 hours have been completed. Our partner Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired will get it processed for you. You will not be charged shipping. However, you will need to include your contact information and mailing address and will also need to upload the activity tracking sheet to show documentation that you completed the program. The processing time for receiving the order is 20-25 business days. If you have still not received your package by then, please follow up with us at [e-mail], and we will do what we can to help you.

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Scouts and NPS staff pose for a group photo at President's Park

NPS Photo

Getting Started

Choose a National Park Service Site

Visit https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm. Choose a national park, monument, or any of the 423 sites protected by the National Park Service. Explore nature, learn the history, and read the stories to discover why it is important to preserve your park.

Imagine Yourself in a National Park

Brainstorm activities that you might want to experience at a national park. Consider working outside with a geologist or inside identifying fossils. Maybe wildfire restoration, building a bridge, or a night sky project interests you.

Contact the Park and Make a Plan

Call the park (the phone number is on the park's website under "Contact Us"). Identify yourself as a Cub/BoyScout. Ask if there is someone who works with the Scout Ranger program or a volunteer coordinator. Express your ideas to the coordinator. Together, plan a project to help the park and fulfill your goals.

Go to the Park and Have Fun

Once all the logistics are set up, go and have fun with the Scout Ranger Program! Please keep track of your time using the activity tracking sheet, and turn it in to a Park Ranger to receive your certificate and/or patch. If your park does not have a volunteer program or is too far away to visit, work with the park volunteer coordinator on a project that meets the park's needs.

Boy Scouts with a park ranger

NPS Photo

Scout Ranger Locations

Click here to see a list of national park sites with opportunities for Scout Rangers.

Troop 362 of New York posing for a group photo

NPS Photo

Are you an Eagle Scout?

Learn how you can download the Eagle Scout Award Certificate of Recognition. Plese note use of the certificate is based on the honor system, as the certificate should only be downloaded after advancing to Eagle Scout rank.

The Scout Ranger Program is not part of the qualifications for the Boy Scout Eagle award or for the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold awards. However, as many high-achieving Scouts can affirm, experiences gained in the Scout Ranger Program enhance progress toward these lofty goals.

Meet an Eagle Scout!

Duration:

14 minutes, 43 seconds

During the 2021 Boy Scouts of American National Outdoor Conference, a session on how to volunteer at a National Park Service site focused on one Eagle Scout project that was completed by Tyler Rush at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area with guidance from Mike Malone, a retired NPS employee. Mike has managed over 100 projects with Boy Scouts in national and state park sites and is now a volunteer with NPS. Learn more about this project and how you can get involved with volunteering at NPS.