The Junior Naturalist Program was conceived in 1997 for campgrounds participating in the Nature Recreation Program, then expanded to satellite campgrounds in 1998. The Junior Naturalist Program gives children the opportunity to test their environmental knowledge while teaching them more about New York State's environment.
How It Works
Children five through twelve years old can request a Junior Naturalist Journal at participating campgrounds. The journal can be filled in by using the activities as family activities or with someone helping the child. When the journal is completed, children bring it to the appropriate DEC staff person who reviews the journal then gives the child a Junior Naturalist patch.
The Journal
The colorful activity book of the Junior Naturalist Program, referred to as the Junior Naturalist Journal, is designed for children five to twelve years old. Yet it also contains helpful hints to make the completion of the book a family affair
The last activity, is a reflection activity. This reflection activity allows the children (and adults!) to think back on their stay at the campground and remember some of the new things they learned as well as the things they loved about the trip.
Activities in the Journal
Recurring activities in the journals are a bingo game and a checklist of some sort—whether it is a species checklist to keep track of what the children see and learn or a list of things found on a nature hike using all the letters of the alphabet. Bingo subjects include insects as well as sensory items.
The Patch
After the journal is completed, the child brings it to the appropriate DEC Campground staff person and receives their Junior Naturalist patch. This colorful patch, different each year, depicts the child as a Junior Naturalist—someone who studies natural history. It is the perfect keepsake for the camping trip they have enjoyed so much!
JNP Participating Facilities
Most DEC campgrounds participate in the Junior Naturalist Program. For further details, contact the specific campground directly.
