Park Ranger Nancy Kelchner told the Variety that enrolling in a Junior Ranger Program will be very enjoyable not only for the children but for the parents and other family members, too.
“Kids will be tasked to complete a series of activities in a Junior Ranger Program handbook. As soon as they can comply with all the requirements, they will receive an official Junior Ranger badge or patch and Junior Ranger certificate,” Kelchner said. She added that the handbook is not hard to complete but only requires about 45 minutes to one hour of fun.
Kelchner said they are working to customize the handbook to make it more enjoyable for the children in the CNMI.
The Junior Ranger Program aims to help children explore different fields like art, science, history, nature, and other interesting areas of study.
“Joining the Junior Ranger Program will help kids learn more about the national parks that belongs to them, and how they can help protect these special places,” Kelchner said.
She said it’s also a chance for the children to get a Park experience and interact with the park at their own pace and time.
Kelchner said after the implementation of the Junior Ranger Program, they may look into developing a Senior Ranger Program for the CNMI.
“This is a long-time plan and may not happen very soon but we are looking into it,” Kelchner said.
The Junior Ranger Program is focused on promoting a life-long learning to connect generations through park experiences. It is also targeted to instill in the children an appreciation for the island’s parks and to teach them the basics of stewardship and conservation.
For more information, visit American Memorial Park in Garapan during office hours, or call 234-7207.
