Great Sand Dunes Celebrates Junior Ranger Day
GREAT Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve will celebrate Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, Aug. 6. Activities will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the dunefield and at the south entrance to the dunefield from the Dunes Parking Area (follow signs posted in the parking lot). Participants will have the opportunity to earn patches, pedometers, and t-shirts after completing a variety of activities. Families and children of all ages are welcome and there are no fees or reservations required to participate in the event.
This event is made possible with generous support from Friends of the Dunes and the staff and volunteers at Great Sand Dunes. Friends of the Dunes is a non-profit organization committed to supporting research and education at Great Sand Dunes.
An orientation table, prize table and activity stations will be staffed by park staff and Friends of the Dunes board members. This year, Great Sand Dunes has organized the following activities for kids:
- Learn about mountain lions, pronghorns, and a variety of insects at the “Animal Olympics” station.
- Stop by the “Artifact Table” station to learn more about artifacts, rocks, and other exciting items that have been found in the park.
- Look for plants, animals, and unique features in the dunes as part of the “Scavenger Hunt.”
- Practice your “Sand Painting” and learn about ways that many cultures connect to their environments.
- To promote physical activity in national parks, Friends of the Dunes will provide pedometers for junior rangers to participate in “Steps for Stamps.” Walk or hike 1,000 steps (~0.5-mile) with a pedometer and earn a stamp.
Junior rangers will collect a stamp after completing each activity and pick up prizes at the prize table.
For more information on Junior Ranger Day and other programs at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, visit www.nps.gov/grsa or call the visitor center at 719-378-6395, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
