MOOSE, Wyo. — Attendance was at an all time high for this year’s annual Junior Ranger Day at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center on Saturday, May 3, Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) shared with Buckrail.
This year’s theme was “The Mythical, Magical and Mysterious,” and children of all ages visited different activity stations with the goal of earning their Junior Ranger Badge.
Families and children walked around to stations inside and outside of the visitor center to learn about the many different creatures inhabiting GTNP. Stations were set up so children could feel animal pelts, skulls, antlers and other items. Educational activities focused on raptors, sandhill cranes, wolverines, wolves, bears, cougars and bugs.
There was a table where children could listen to animal sounds and select the corresponding animal photo. At another station, rangers held up a container with a live carrion beetle and a skull to show how the beetle breaks down the organic material.
At one station, children could wear a ranger hat and learn about everything that a ranger carries on their uniform. GTNP Ranger Rhylan Gosselin showed the kids her radio, handcuffs, tourniquet, body cam and other ranger essentials.
Children could also climb into a ranger truck, patrol car and a large metal trap used to relocate bears. GTNP Ranger Griest invited kids to check out all the items needed when responding to a 911 emergency situation in the Park.
Once a child completed an activity, a ranger stamped their booklet to mark completion. After completing five activities and drawing an interpretation of a creature, they were given their Junior Ranger badge at the Park station.
