Valles Caldera National Preserve's Junior Ranger patch.
NPS/Audrey McDonald
Valles Caldera National Preserve currently offers two versions of its Junior Ranger program: an experiential activity booklet designed for in-park completion, and an online program for kids who are unable to visit the park in-person.
In-park: Junior Ranger Training Manual
At Valles Caldera, we do things a little differently. Rather than requiring completion of a booklet to earn their badge, we believe that every child is already a Junior Ranger at heart. When we meet a child at the park's Entrance Station or Ranger Station, we swear them in as a Junior Ranger up-front, give them their badge, and issue them a Junior Ranger Training Manual that they can use to sharpen their skills while exploring the park. With activities focused on geology, wildlife, human history, sustainability, and quiet observation of the natural world, Junior Rangers will build a strong foundation of understanding why this place is important.
This program is place-based and experiential; available in-park only.
Online: Virtual Junior Ranger Program
Our virtual Junior Ranger program is geared toward any kid who wants to learn about Valles Caldera, whether they will visit the park or not. Short video lessons with park rangers will introduce kids to Valles Caldera's geology, human history, and wildlife, and interactive games and activities will solidify learning. A customized Junior Ranger patch can be mailed to households in the United States upon completion.
Scroll down to begin the virtual Junior Ranger program!
Explore, Learn, and Protect Jeff Wolin Chorus Explore, Learn, and Protect Junior Rangers east and west Explore, Learn, and Protect As Junior Rangers we’ll do our best let’s take care of the treasures that belong to you and me national parks were set aside for all to see in 1872, the national park idea was born Yellowstone was set aside to protect and to enjoy “America’s Best Idea,” that’s what some would say so get out your map, load your pack, and visit one today and… Chorus alligators, moose and bison, beaches by the sea caves, canyons, deserts, fjords, and Sequoia trees the best of nature’s splendor from A to Z is waiting to be discovered by you and your family so let’s… Chorus people, places, sacred spaces, the Statue of Liberty struggles we’ve overcome to become a democracy Ellis Island, trails and houses, Martin Luther King national parks tell our story, so let us sing… Chorus national parks were set aside for all to see
Virtual Junior Ranger Program
Do you want to be a Junior Ranger but can’t visit Valles Caldera in-person? Then we have the program for you! Watch the videos and complete the activities below to learn about Valles Caldera National Preserve. Let us know when you are finished so we can mail you a special Junior Ranger patch!
Ranger Adam welcomes you to Valles Caldera's virtual Junior Ranger program, and Ranger Gianna swears you in by reciting the Junior Ranger oath. When you're finished saying the oath, scroll down to begin the geology activities.
Part 1: Geology
Welcome to the first set of activities—all about the park’s geology! First, Ranger Jordan will tell you about what makes Valles Caldera so neat geologically. Then, you'll do a virtual scavenger hunt to find interesting objects and volcanic features at Sulphur Springs, Valles Caldera's famous geothermal area. Finally, you'll learn about the types of volcanic rocks found in the park.
Ranger Jordan talks about some of the rocks that make Valles Caldera famous.
Sulphur Springs Scavenger Hunt
Full of geothermal activity like mud-pots, fumaroles, and very acidic hot springs, Sulphur Springs is super neat. See if you can find the following objects in the illustration below:
Fumaroles - Natural vents where volcanic gases and vapors escape.
Mudpots - Pools of bubbling mud where volcanic gases are escaping.
What type of rock is this? Use the slider to reveal the answer!
Left image
What is this shiny volcanic glass called?
Credit: NPS/L. Ray
Right image
What is this shiny volcanic glass called?
Credit: NPS/L. Ray
This volcanic rock is obsidian. Obsidian forms when lava cools very quickly. This came from the Cerro del Medio eruption about 1.1 million years ago! Many people used obsidian to make arrowheads, spear points, cutting tools, and to trade long distances.
What type of rock is this? Use the slider to reveal the answer!
Left image
What is the name of this porous, lightweight rock?
Credit: NPS/A. Dean
Right image
What is the name of this porous, lightweight rock?
Credit: NPS/A. Dean
This volcanic rock is unique because it floats! The big eruption that created the Valles Caldera 1.2 million years ago spewed out a lot of pumice. So did a more recent eruption at El Cajete 74,000 years ago.
What type of rock is this? Use the slider to reveal the answer!
Left image
What is the name of this volcanic rock?
Credit: NPS/M. Wilder
Right image
What is the name of this volcanic rock?
Credit: NPS/M. Wilder
Rhyolite forms from a slow moving, almost oozing, lava flow. Think of a hot marshmallow dripping while making s’mores. Rhyolite, because it cools slowly, has crystals.
Part 2: Wildlife
Welcome to the next topic—all of our furry and feathered friends! First, browse photos of native wildlife at Valles Caldera while you listen to a fun hip-hop song by Ranger Jeff about elk. Next, you'll go on a scavenger hunt in Valle Grande. Then, Ranger Corey will introduce you to a fun activity that you can do anywhere outdoors: birdwatching!
Wapiti Hoppity
An original hip hop song about elk by Ranger Jeff Wolin.
Wapiti Hoppity (Jeff Wolin) elk really like hip hop music, elk really like hip hop music let’s go walking megafauna stalking out in the forest tip toe and no talking looking for the elk putting on the sneak do not crush the leaves that’s underneath your feet majestic mammals bulls the bulls are the males little baby calves and the cows are the females white patch on the back of their rump, they smell out your scent and they do a jump jump chorus: Wapiti hoppity, there hiding in the trees, forty pound antlers growin’ on top, rub to the tree break it down don’t stop Wapiti hoppity, there hiding in the trees, forty pound antlers growin’ on top, rub to the tree break it down don’t stop they got big ears so they can hear you when you’re coming that’s what they fear alert to the herd and they’re gone in a flash white rump in the forest and they do a deer dash dusk to the dawn the feedings on grazing browsin’ grind the food down digest it later, ruminator they got great guts four stomach chambers Cervus elaphus scientifically, historically they lived sea to sea habitat loss cut their numbers down, through conservation they making a rebound don’t delay the day you get to see one up in the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone or the Tetons in the fall, y’all will hear the call of the wild, elk bugle make me smile chorus
Rocky Mountain elk
NPS/Irene Owsley
American kestrel
NPS
Coyote
NPS/Corey Lycopolus
Jemez Mountains salamander
NPS/Nancy Karraker
American pika
NPS
Northern leopard frog
NPS
Gunnison's prairie dogs
NPS
Rio Grande cutthroat trout
NPS
Long-tailed weasel
NPS/Jim Peaco
Black bear
NPS/Corey Lycopolus
Mountain lion
NPS
Mountain bluebirds
NPS/Andy Bridges
Mexican wolf
USFWS
Mule deer
NPS
Western meadowlark
NPS/Neal Herbert
Valle Grande Scavenger Hunt
Valle Grande is a big and beautiful grassland surrounded by forested mountains. It's a wonderful place to observe wildlife in their natural habitat! See if you can find the following animals and objects in the illustration below:
Ranger Corey talks about the joys of birding, whether at a national park or in your own community.
Part 3: Changes Over Time
Now for the third and final topic—how Valles Caldera has changed over time. First, Ranger Raelyn will share an important part of this land's history. Then you will learn about fire and what the National Park Service is doing to help restore the environment.
Ranger Raelyn shares an important part of Valles Caldera's history and land use.
Thompson Ridge Fire: Changes on Redondo Peak
Left image
The Thompson Ridge Wildfire burns Redondo Peak (2013).
Credit: Courtesy of S. Compton
Right image
Redondo Peak today
Credit: NPS/C. Lycopolus
The Jemez Mountains are a fire-adapted landscape, which means that fire helps keep nature healthy and in balance. But, in the last twenty years, fires have burned much bigger and hotter than they did in the past. This is because of fire suppression (putting out all the fires), over-grazing, over-logging, and climate change. The 2013 Thompson Ridge Fire burned large areas of Redondo Peak, known as Waavema to the Hemish people.
Landscape Restoration: Changes in Valle Jaramillo
Left image
Jaramillo Creek, 1935
Credit: Courtesy of T. Harmon Parkhurst
Right image
Jaramillo Creek, 2017
Credit: Courtesy of S. Tharonstrom & J. Hogan
The National Park Service is helping Valles Caldera heal. Decades of over-grazing led to streamside erosion and poor habitat for our fishy friends. Now look at the stream! Jaramillo Creek is famous for trophy brown trout.
Congratulations! You are now a Valles Caldera Junior Ranger! Be sure to let us know and we will mail you a cool patch.
Last updated: December 6, 2024
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
090 Villa Louis Martin Dr.
Jemez Springs,
NM
87025
Phone:
505-670-1612
Ranger Station (for general park information)
