SF 4th graders invited to learn how to become Junior Park Rangers

SAN FRANCISCO — In celebration of the National Park Service’s Centennial this year, organizations that serve youth in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) along with the San Francisco Public Library system invite 4^th graders and their families to join the fun on May 7 in learning about what it takes to be an official National Park Service Junior Ranger.

As part of the “Every Kid in a Park” campaign, all kids attending will enjoy a day of entertainment, refreshments, hands-on activities and games that will help them earn their very own, “Centennial Edition” junior ranger badge and be sworn in as official Junior Rangers at a special ceremony led by GGNRA’s General Superintendent Christine Lehnertz.

“The 100^th anniversary of the National Park Service’s founding is a cause for introducing the next generation to the parks,” said Lehnertz. “We are excited to welcome thousands of 4^th graders and their families on May 7 as our biggest Centennial celebration in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Here at Golden Gate, the Parks Conservancy and NPS continue to build on innovative programs that reach new audiences and connect the parks with young people—two key goals of the NPS Centennial.

“The Junior Ranger Jamboree event gives us an opportunity to ‘Help Keep Growing Crissy Field’ by connecting our urban youth with their national parks,” said Greg Moore, President & CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. “This Centennial commemoration also celebrates the 15^th anniversary of the opening of the restored Crissy Field that was made possible by the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, members of the Parks Conservancy, and broad public support.”

The Parks Conservancy and the Crissy Field Center will be hosting the following organizations for an exciting array of free activities and entertainment at the Junior Ranger Jamboree event:

• African Queens Dance Company
• Alphabet Rockers (via SF Library)
• Audubon Canyon Ranch
• Chronicle Books (via SF Library)
• Climb On Inc.
• Golden State Warriors (depending on schedule)
• Greater Farallones Marine Sanctuary
• The Marine Mammal Center
• National Japanese American Historical Society
• National Park Service
• NatureBridge
• One Tam
• Pacific Leadership Institute
• Parangal
• Prescott Circus Theatre
• Presidio Dance Theatre
• Presidio Trust
• Presidio/Point Bonita YMCA
• San Francisco Public Library
• San Francisco Unified School District
• Slide Ranch
• Tree Frog Treks

Interactive and place-based activities will enable young people to think and act like a Ranger whose duties include protecting and preserving the natural and cultural resources of parklands. From collecting and observing wetland plankton under microscopes to digging up and analyzing artifacts, visitors will discover the uniqueness and rich history of the GGNRA. Entertainment groups for the event will showcase the diversity of our local communities through a variety of dances and music, including hip-hop, ballet, and drumming.

One of the primary partners for the NPS Centennial year at the GGNRA is the San Francisco Public Library system. The SF Public Libraries are helping celebrate the Centennial with the 2016 Summer Stride reading program for kids and adults where patrons will be able to earn specially-designed buttons as part of the official “Reading Ranger” challenge. There will be library trailheads, park book nooks, community ranger talks at SF library branches, and more.

For a full outline of all Centennial-related events, check: https://www.parksconservancy.org/nps100/