When Calvin spotted his first Junior Ranger badge at Mount Rushmore, we discovered an obsession that would reshape our travel adventures. At age 7, Calvin was hooked from the moment that first badge was pinned to his vest ("I swear he stood a little taller").
Since that beginning, Calvin has earned badges from over 18 national parks and monuments, traveling from California's redwoods to Philadelphia's Independence Hall. His experiences include tracking animal prints in Saguaro, exploring volcanic landscapes in Hawaii, and visiting White Sands in New Mexico.
The program's appeal extends beyond collecting badges. Calvin has become passionate about conservation education. He'll proudly explain to anyone who'll listen why you shouldn't pick up petrified wood at the Petrified Forest, or how the Everglades ecosystem works.
If you're a family hitting national parks, the Junior Ranger program is foundational. Just be prepared for your kids to become mini park experts who will probably teach you a thing or two.
