The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation has many learning opportunities from campfire and Junior Ranger programs in our parks, to safety programs for motorized recreational activities.
To Parents & Guardians
Our goal is to help your children discover more about the outdoors while learning about our parks and making connections to the natural world. Here is how it works: pick up a Junior Ranger Guide at the park. When your child completes four of the Junior Ranger Actions for one of the twenty-two parks in the program, they can receive the badge for that park, complete four activities at a second park to receive the Junior Ranger patch, and complete four activities at a third park to receive the certificate signed by Scout. The program is designed for youth ages 6 to 12. We hope the discoveries your explorers experience in the program will encourage them to appreciate and protect Idaho’s natural and cultural resources. If you cannot visit the park, see below for the online digital version also available.
We have digital options available as well. It also can be a great activity either before or after visiting one of Idaho’s State Parks. Choose and do three or more of these activities for the park you select:
- Complete Portals to Parks activities.
- Watch a park video presentation (if available for that park).
- Complete the Leave No Trace activity.
Optional if you are able to visit the park:
- Take a hike with your parents.
- Attend a park presentation.
Once you have completed three activities, download the Junior Ranger certificate for that park and fill in your name to recognize your completion.
Congratulations Junior Ranger!
Welcome Junior Rangers for Idaho State Parks!
To get started, say the Junior Ranger Pledge out-loud:
Junior Ranger Pledge
I accept the challenge to become an Idaho State Parks Junior Ranger. I will discover more about and help protect Idaho’s parks and the natural world around me. I will share my discoveries with my friends and family.
Portals to Parks Activity Sheets
- Navigate to the Portals to Parks and Videos Page
- Select your choice of Portals to Parks Activity sheet, download, print, and complete.
Park Video Presentations
Select the video you would like to watch. Not all parks will have videos available.
Leave No Trace
Download, print, and complete the Leave No Trace activity.
Optional activities if you are able to visit the park:
- Take a hike with your parents.
- Attend a park presentation.
- Once you have completed three activities, download the Junior Ranger certificate for that park and fill in your name to recognize your completion.
Congratulations, you are now an official Junior Ranger!