Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Just For Kids
BE A JUNIOR PARK RANGER
Help take care of your national treasures!
Anyone between the ages of 5 and 12 can become a Junior Park Ranger at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There are challenging activities in our Junior Ranger Book that you can do when you visit the park. Learn more about the stuff that makes up the scenery.
Stop by the South Rim Visitor Center for more information and to pick up your free Junior Ranger Book.
Advanced Junior Ranger Camp
ADVANCED JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAMS
Fun Summer Program For Kids!
Do you know students from local communities who are looking for a fun and exciting way to spend their summer? We've got just the program! The Annual Advanced Junior Ranger Camp invites local youngsters to explore their national parks through games, hikes, hands-on science, skits, and demonstrations.
The eight week program was a great success in its first run, summer of 2005. Students created a model of the Black Canyon using play-do, and cut away layer after layer while learning about geology, rock formation, and erosion. They watched a volcano bubble over, and learned how volcanic rocks are formed. Curecanti Advanced Junior Rangers donned knee-high rubber boots and learned first hand what aquatic critters can tell us about stream quality.
Ecosystems of the World
Advanced junior rangers study ecosystems from around the world.
Participants at both parks learned about local plants and animals, how to respect the outdoors by following the ethics of Leave No Trace, animal migration, water, geology, conservation of natural resources, and habitats. The summer culminated with a family camping trip, during which time the participants were presented with their official Advanced Junior Ranger badge.
This annual summer program is open to third and fourth graders, and is available at either Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park or Curecanti National Recreation Area. We ask that the participants commit to attending the program on a weekly basis throughout the summer.
If you have any questions about the program, or would like to register your child, please contact Education Specialist Susanna Ausema at (970) 641-2337 ext. 203.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison In Depth
News from the Parks
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
