Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will join local youth on the National Mall to celebrate National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 26, 2008. The Secretary will join the children as they participate in multiple activities, including National Mall Bingo, personalized flower planting and a Family Fun-Walk around the Lincoln Reflecting Pool and then swear the children in as official National Park Service Junior Rangers at a ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Set during National Park Week, which runs from April 19 - April 27, National Junior Ranger Day highlights National Junior Ranger programs at national parks across the country. The Junior Ranger program is designed to engage children and families in the stories embodied in their national parks. Children complete activity books that lead them through the park in a kid-friendly way. When completed, they present their booklets to a ranger to earn a patch or badge and a certificate.
There are Junior Ranger programs in 300 of our National Parks.
| Who: | Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne National Park Service Director Mary Bomar Local D.C. children |
| What: | Celebration of National Junior Ranger Day and swearing in of new Junior Rangers |
| When: | 1:15 pm Saturday, April 26, 2008 |
| Where: | Recreational Fields south of the Reflecting Pool Located west of the World War II Memorial and east of the Korean War Memorial |
| Media: | Credentialed media wishing to cover the event should contact Chris Paolino at 202-341-0192 for additional information. |