Junior Ranger Program at Hopewell Culture NHP

New junior rangers getting sworn in by a park ranger.

NPS / Tom Engberg

Ever wonder about the people who built the mounds? What did they eat? Where did they live? How do we know about these people that lived 2,000 years ago? Answers to these questions can be found by participating in the park's Junior Ranger program. The program challenges kids to explore why they think these mysterious people built the earthworks and mounds and for what reasons.  It also allows kids to explore the natural side of the park too as they learn about the wildlife and plant life throughout the park.

Junior Ranger booklets are free to anyone who wants to participate. Visit the park and ask a ranger about the program and he/she will be happy to get your booklet so you can get started. If you're unable to visit the park, call us and we can arrange a booklet to be mailed to you. Once you finish the required number of pages in your booklet, simply take the booklet back to a ranger so they can review it. Once a ranger goes over the booklet with you, you'll receive your very own wooden Hopewell Culture NHP Jr. Ranger badge and some sticker SWAG too!

This is intended as a family activity, so parents and friends can assist each other in completing their booklets.

Details

Duration

30-120 Minutes

Duration depends on level of interest and involvement from family members.

Activity

Junior Ranger Program

Children will explore the visitor center and park grounds to find answers to the questions in the booklet with assistance from parents. Some pages can be completed while not on site if visitors must leave early or cannot come to the park.

Age(s)

5 and Older

The Jr. Ranger program was developed for children ages 5 to 16, but we encourage visitors of ALL ages to participate in this fun, family activity.

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

Pets are always allowed in the park, as long as they are leashed and in control at all times.  Service animals are allowed in the building though.  Owners are responsible to pick up all animal's poop and dispose of properly.

Activity Fee

No

This is a free activity to participate in.

Location

Mound City Group Visitor Center

Begin the program by acquiring a Jr. Ranger booklet at the visitor center at Mound City Group.  Located on State Route 104, this is the park's only vistor center.

Reservations

No

No reservations required

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Any Time

The program can be completed at any time, but the park's visitor center hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm daily (closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day), and the grounds are open sunrise to sunset every day of the year.

Accessibility Information

Mound City Group Visitor Center:

• Parking: Two spaces available, closest to building
• Entrance: Front and side doors to visitor center open outwards, manually operated.
• Trails: Paved from parking lot area, flat surface. One paved sidewalk, slight decline when walking towards the nature trail and mound enclosure area. Nature trail covered with mulch and pebbled dirt on north side of enclosure, south side of trail is grassy and flat.
• Restrooms: Men's and Women's both wheelchair accessible with wall-mounted baby changing stations in both.
• Water: Water fountains located inside visitor center between restrooms and one located outside off of parking lot sidewalk (outside fountain is shut off in winter).
• No pay phones
• Benches and picnic tables: Provided around the outside of visitor center building, including a few wheelchair-friendly picnic tables.
• Exhibits: Artifacts on display in glass cases, visually and physically available from a wheelchair. Bench and interactive kiosk in rear of museum are wheelchair friendly. Exit doors from museum to paved patio are manually operated.
• Mobility-Impaired: One All-Terrain wheelchair is available for first come, first serve use. Wheels have deep, oversize tread to help with traction on mulch, dirt and grass trails. Availability of All-Terrain wheelchair is during normal visitor center operating hours.
• Service animals are permitted in the building but pets are not.