The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is getting ready to celebrate National Junior Ranger Day with special activities at all three visitor centers.
Children can earn a free Junior Ranger patch by completing three of the specially planned activities. They include ranger guided walks, historic toy making, a talk with a wildland firefighter, a blacksmith shop demonstration and touch tables with animal skins and skulls.
Activities take place from 10 am to 2 pm Saturday, April 27 at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Cades Cove Visitor Center near Townsend and Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC. Contact Lloyd Luketin at 865-436-1292 for additional information on Junior Ranger Day.
“National Junior Ranger Day provides a great opportunity for children and families to spend time together learning about the Park while doing fun activities,” said Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. “We hope that our local residents will take advantage of this program to interact with our staff and the resources, and, at the same time, plan a full day in the Park.”
Sugarlands will also host a National Park Career Day for middle and high school students who will get a behind-the-scenes look into the careers of the National Park Service.
Students will get a “behind the scenes” look into the careers of the National Park Service. Employees will be demonstrating their jobs with hands-on activities while providing insight for those interested in these types of future careers.
For information and questions about High School Career Day, please contact Emily Guss at 865-736-1713.