DCR Junior Ranger Program
Every Friday Until August 21st, 2026 10:00am–12:00pm
10:00am -12:00pm
For ages 8-12. Junior Rangers is a fun way for children to get acquainted with Massachusetts State Parks and learn outdoor recreation skills. Discover the natural and cultural resources of the region through hands-on activities. Each session offers a unique theme and activities led by DCR Park Interpreters at four different parks. Parents and/or guardians are required to participate. Younger siblings are welcome. Call (413) 499-4262 to register.
Please note, Park locations change each week.
Learn about the Junior Ranger program, participating parks, and how to complete activities to qualify for Junior Ranger patch and certificate. (mandatory session)
What is the Junior Ranger program?
Junior Rangers program is a fun way for children to get acquainted with the state parks and outdoor recreation skills, while discovering the natural and cultural resources of the region.
Over a seven-week period, a total of seven different program sessions will be led collaboratively by DCR Park Interpreters Bob Rando, Mike Whalen, Caroline Scully, Misa Chappell, Ruby Pullaro-Clark and Meshell Bordeleau. Children will participate in hikes, park projects, nature crafts, wildlife observation, navigational techniques and more!
The Junior Ranger program: captures the imagination of young people through fun activities that grow future stewards of the environment. State park staff supervised. Junior Ranger activities promote outdoor recreation skills and an appreciation of the natural world with a different theme each week. Children must wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Sturdy walking shoes, water, a snack, sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. Parents and/or guardians are required to participate.
Each 2026 Junior Ranger program session visits either Pittsfield State Forest, Mount Greylock State Reservation, Natural Bridge State Park, or Savoy Mountain State Forest. For more information, please contact Mike Whalen at (413) 499-4262.
CONTACT INFORMATION for each participating park is listed below, along with the specific dates and locations for each of the seven Junior Ranger sessions. Junior Ranger sessions will run from 10am to 12 noon on consecutive Fridays.
Session #1 on July 10th and Session, Session #4 on July 31st and Session #7 on August 21st and will be held at: Pittsfield State Forest Ski Lodge, 1041 Cascade Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 and Balance Rock State Park, Balance Rock Road, Lanesborough (July 31st).
Phone: (413) 442-8992 - Please call for directions.
Session #2 on July 17th and Session #5 on August 7th will be held at: Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA 01237
Session #5 on August 7th will be held at: Mount Greylock State Reservation Sperry Road Campground. Please call for meeting location and directions.
Phone: (413) 499-4262 - Please call for directions. Michael.W.Whalen@mass.gov
Session #3 on July 24th will be held at: Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center, McAuley Road, North Adams MA 01247
Phone: (413) 663-6392 - Please call for directions.
Session #6 on August 14th will be held at:
Savoy State Forest North Pond Day Use Area.
260 Central Shaft Road, Florida, MA 01247
Phone: (413) 663-8469 – Please call for directions.
SESSION PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:
1. July 10th – INTRODUCTION TO JUNIOR RANGERS at Pittsfield State Forest Ski Lodge. Learn about the Junior Ranger program, participating parks, and how to complete activities to qualify for Junior Ranger patch and certificate. (mandatory session)
2. July 17th – FIND YOUR WAY at Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center. Discover really cool ways to navigate outdoors while having fun exploring the wonders of nature. Learn tricks for identifying native trees, plants and wild animals.
3. July 24th – NATURAL BRIDGE ROCKS! at Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center. Investigate the natural forces that built the marble bridge. Learn about rock types, fossils, ancient sea creatures and their role in creating the unique landforms found at Natural Bridge State park.
4. July 31st – TIPPING A BOULDER at Balance Rock State Park. Explore cool glacial rock formations and try tipping over a massive erratic boulder! Discover historic remnant of sheep pasture along a forested trail. Find a variety of fabulous stone features like cross rock and split rock.
5. August 7th – STORIES OF THE LAND at Mount Greylock State Reservation Campground. Become a CCC enrollee and explore, through role-playing, everyday life in a 1930s-Era conservation camp. Examine natural and cultural evidence of the forest through personal observation.
6. August 14th – GO WITH THE FLOW at Savoy State Forest Nature Center. Discover awesome things about aquatic habitats while exploring North Pond. Identify plants, insects, water-borne macroinvertebrates and amphibians as you learn how to safely handle and release wildlife using nets. We may even talk about leeches! EEWW!!
7. August 21st – ASK AN EXPERT and GRADUATION at Pittsfield State Forest Ski Lodge. A special day to meet DCR staff members, ask questions and complete your activity guides before our Graduation Celebration! All participants should be present to receive their certificates and patches.