Junior ranger Program

The Madera Canyon Junior Ranger Program is an interactive nature activity for children visiting the canyon. Junior Ranger pamphlets are available upon request from canyon U.S. Forest Service Rangers and at the Visitor Information Station in the Proctor Parking Area.

Developed as a self-guided program supervised by a parent, potential Junior Rangers explore the nature of Madera Canyon through age-appropriate exercises in the Junior Ranger pamphlet. By completing the exercises, participants earn a Madera Canyon Junior Ranger Certificate and Badge. Hints and help for completing the exercises are available in the accompanying Madera Canyon Plants and Animals Children’s Brochure and the Bud Gode Interpretive Nature Trail exhibits in the canyon recreation areas.

Spending time in nature can improve children’s health, stimulate creativity, sharpen skills, and help them care about the environment. With exercises designed to engage a variety of senses and skills, the Madera Canyon Junior Ranger Program can help parents turn simple recreation into a valuable outdoor learning experience for their kids. Children benefit from the opportunity to learn about the canyon by direct observation and connect with nature. The Madera Canyon Junior Ranger Program is another important way the Friends Education Program promotes “conservation through education.”

Madera Canyon Plants & Animals Children’s Brochure
The Madera Canyon Plants and Animals Children’s Brochure highlighs some of the mammals, birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles, wildflowers, and trees that live in the canyon..

The brochure can be obtained U.S. Forest Service Rangers or from the Visitor Information Station at Proctor Parking Area.