Fire Island National Seashore is celebrating National Junior Ranger Day at the Fire Island Lighthouse on Saturday, April 24, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with an afternoon of special programs and other activities. In addition to the fun, kids can earn special Junior Ranger patches and badges.
All afternoon, children can learn to make their own nautical crafts. A park biologist will demonstrate scientific sampling techniques, with hands-on assistance from participants. The Fire Island Lighthouse museum exhibits are open (no charge) and tower tours are available from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a nominal fee ($6/adult and $4/child ages 12 and under). Children must be at least 42" tall to climb the lighthouse tower.
Free programs are offered throughout the afternoon. Special activities include "Discovering the Ocean," offered at noon; "Basic Nature Photography" at 1:00 p.m.; and "Animal Tracking" at 2:00 p.m. By participating in at least two of these ranger-led programs, children will earn their own National Junior Ranger Day patch.
Staff from Sagamore Hill National Historic Site will again be on hand to present one of their special Junior Ranger activities, too.
Fire Island National Seashore staff will distribute copies of their existing Basic and Advanced Junior Ranger workbooks, and the specialty workbooks about deer and water safety. While they're at the Keepers' Quarters Museum, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts can complete a maritime history worksheet, qualifying their purchase of a Fire Island Lighthouse special interest patch.
Families and kids of all ages are welcome to join the day's activities. Parking is available at Robert Moses State Park Field #5 ($8/vehicle parking fee), with a 3/4-mile walk to the Fire Island Lighthouse. Food service is not provided at the lighthouse, so pack your own snacks and drinks.
For more information about these programs, contact Fire Island National Seashore's Office of Interpretation at 631-687-4765.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
