Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Junior Park Ranger Pierce

The National Park System has programs for 4-5 year olds to earn Mini-Junior Park Ranger badges at their parks.  Pierce decided he wanted to try to earn one for Assateague.  We picked up our booklet and then did some beach explorations for ghost crab trails, plus smells and sights on the beach.  Pierce drew a really cute pictures of the dolphins we saw swimming in the surf one morning.  Then we went to attend a program called Assateague Detectives.

While we waited for the program at the Tom's Cove Visitor Center to begin, Pierce played with the horseshoe crabs.

Ranger Jenny showed us around the marshes, and taught us how to look for clues as Assateague Detectives.  We found fiddler crabs and many different kinds of tracks.

This shell is from a blue crab.  Ranger Jenny told us that they are much more blue when they are fresh, but when they are empty from the seagulls or other animals that eat them, they become lighter.

Can you spot the trail of raccoon tracks in this picture?  We found lots of evidence of raccoon activity around the marshes.

Pierce earned his Junior Park Ranger badge for completing the program, and he also earned an Ocean Conservation badge for participating in Assateague Detectives.  He took an oath to protect the island and its wildlife and land, and he takes his duties seriously!  I present to you...Junior Park Ranger Pierce!

37 comments:

  1. HeatherAugust 15, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    Wow! Very cool program! I will have to see what is available in my area. I think we have a couple national parks in Maine, but they are much farther north than I.

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  2. AnonymousAugust 15, 2012 at 6:22 AM

    Raccoons sure have cute footprints! Sounds like Pierce learned lots of new things. :-))

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  3. Eat To LiveAugust 15, 2012 at 6:41 AM

    LOL How cute. Congratulations Pierce. That is such a great way for the Parks to make kids feel important.

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  4. andyAugust 15, 2012 at 7:02 AM

    Yay pierce! ! Way to go! Looks like fun!

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  5. AnonymousAugust 15, 2012 at 7:04 AM

    Wow! I love the badges!

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  6. The CrankyAugust 15, 2012 at 7:07 AM

    We salute you mini-junior park ranger Pierce, well done young sir!

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  7. UnknownAugust 15, 2012 at 7:41 AM

    That is great - what a lovely way to get him inspired to take care of and protect the nature. Have a great day!

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  8. JillAugust 15, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    Great programs! Congratulations, Ranger Pierce. Well done!

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  9. Sonya @ Under the Desert SkyAugust 15, 2012 at 9:14 AM

    What a great program and a fun way to spend the day! Yay, Pierce!

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  10. AnonymousAugust 15, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    Good job, Pierce! What a great program.

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  11. Buttons ThoughtsAugust 15, 2012 at 9:57 AM

    Congratulations Pierce I have no doubt you are going to be a great Ranger.
    What a great program is there and age limit I would love to do it too? :) B

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  12. Tina Fariss BarbourAugust 15, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Congratulations to Pierce for a job well-done. The programs sound great--a great way to learn about the environment and its inhabitants and to foster a caring attitude towards them.

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  13. Valerie BoersmaAugust 15, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Amy always had fun earning those badges too! They are great programs!

    I'm sure loving seeing photos from this trip Lisa!! :)

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  14. TexWisGirlAugust 15, 2012 at 10:47 AM

    what a cutie! nice way to get them tuned in to what's going on around them. :)

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  15. MaryAugust 15, 2012 at 1:11 PM

    Great job, happy smiling, Pierce. That's a super program. Love the raccoon tracks.

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  16. DebbieAugust 15, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    what a geat smile and a proud fellow!!

    i really like programs like this!!

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  17. Liz MaysAugust 15, 2012 at 3:48 PM

    Now that is a fun program. So glad he got such joy out of it!

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  18. NancyAugust 15, 2012 at 4:20 PM

    Look at that smile~ I think he may just follow that path someday. :)

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  19. LOVE MELISSA:)August 15, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    Awesome job Pierce! Not only should you be proud but you have one amazing smile! You are going to make a great ranger in the future!

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  20. LOVE MELISSA:)August 15, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    Pd what a great program!

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  21. jp@A Green RidgeAugust 15, 2012 at 5:29 PM

    Oh my! I am beaming with pride...tell him "Old JP" is soooo proud of him!...:)JP

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  22. SallyAugust 15, 2012 at 5:56 PM

    Oh that Pierce!! He is so stinkin' cute, and look how proud he is!! :)

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  23. AnonymousAugust 15, 2012 at 6:00 PM

    Congratulations Junior Ranger Pierce!! That's a mighty handsome smile.

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  24. RohrerbotAugust 15, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    The best part of this is that we get to teach our young and pass it on:) Plus kids make the best birders on a hike. They have way better eyes than the adults.

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  25. KimAugust 15, 2012 at 6:49 PM

    That's the cutest little park ranger. What a fun educational activity!

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  26. LinAugust 15, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    Hooray!!

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  27. camp and cottage livingAugust 15, 2012 at 7:20 PM

    I would love to have Ranger Pierce
    for my guide! What a cutie.

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  28. MichelleAugust 15, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    Such a cutie! He looks proud!

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  29. MichaeleAugust 15, 2012 at 9:08 PM

    I love the idea of taking an oath. That is pretty serious business!

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  30. Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan TooAugust 15, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    Way to go, Pierce!

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  31. Grandma BonnieAugust 15, 2012 at 10:01 PM

    That is such a wonderful program. Congratulations you must be so proud.

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  32. Chatty CroneAugust 15, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    Where do you find so much to do there? sandie

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  33. momto8August 15, 2012 at 10:59 PM

    fabulous learning opportunity! good for him...good for you!!

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  34. Out on the prairieAugust 16, 2012 at 12:01 AM

    There are many at state and county level offered as well.I enjoy youngsters at my presentations.

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  35. Marie August 16, 2012 at 9:18 AM

    That last photo is priceless! What a million dollar smile!

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  36. An Apel a DayAugust 16, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    WOW Pierce rocks! How fun!

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  37. SandyAugust 16, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    He is just the cutest kid ever!!

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