State Parks & Forests

Education

Interpretive Programs

Junior Ranger/Wisconsin Explorer Program
A parent-child discovery program in Wisconsin state parks and forests

The Junior Ranger/Wisconsin Explorer Program is an exciting environmental education activity program for children and their parents to do together while visiting Wisconsin's state parks and forests.


Sophia Evans, age 4, earned her Junior Ranger patch at Copper Falls State Park.
DNR Photo

With a Junior Ranger (grades K-3) or Wisconsin Explorer (grades 4 and up) activity booklet to guide them, families set off on trails to learn about the environment. Children can listen for crickets, take a bat walk, do a soil experiment, draw themselves as a ranger, look for a den tree, imagine themselves as a deer, or play log tag. When at least half of the activities in the booklet are completed, the child receives a colorful patch and a certificate.

The patch and certificate can be awarded at any participating state park, or you may complete the activities at home, and mail the checkoff sheet to a park.

The program is designed so that a child may do a different activity booklet each year, from kindergarten through sixth grade.

Wisconsin Explorer mushroom patchThese activities help children develop an awareness and appreciation of the natural world and a sense of stewardship toward Wisconsin's natural resources.

For Families

  • An adult/child team can pick up a free activity booklet at one of the participating state parks or forests. (If you come by motor vehicle, an admission sticker is required.)
  • Children complete at least half of the activities in the booklet at the parks, forests, or at home.
  • Turn in the check-off form in the booklet to one of the participating properties. The child will receive a patch and certificate.

Junior Ranger raccoon patchFor Teachers and Group Leaders

  • A complimentary Junior Ranger/Wisconsin Explorer activity booklet is available to each educator or youth leader who requests one.
  • Activities in the booklet may be copied for use in the classroom or other group activities. Quantities of booklets are not available to groups or classes, This program is designed only for one-on-one use by an adult and a child, so we cannot award patches and certificates to children who participate through scouts or other groups.
  • For a complimentary copy of either activity booklet, write to:
Patch with fish design

JR/WX
Bureau of Parks and Recreation
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707
Or phone (608) 266-2181

Participating State Parks, Forests, and Recreation Areas

These offices distribute booklets, receive finished check-off/evaluation pages, and award certificates and patches:

For more information, ask Sherry Klosiewski, state naturalist, (715) 365-8966.

Last Revised: Monday September 29 2008