Lava Beds staff invites kids of all ages to become Junior Rangers on Saturday, July 20th. Bring the family for a day full of activities, especially designed for those with a curious mind.

The goal of the Junior Ranger program is to introduce children to the natural and cultural wonders all around them and their role in preserving these wonders for the future. This year’s Junior Ranger Day theme is “This Land Was Made for You and Me” and will focus on nearby public lands, and the agencies and non-profits who protect them.  Kids will discover native plants with biologists, study caves with speleologists, identify tools with maintenance staff, and learn about snakes, bats and birds with interpreters.  While honing these skills, children will also learn about the amazing diversity with Lava Beds National Monument.  

The quest to learn about the wildlife and geology of Lava Beds National Monument begins at the visitor center at 10:00 AM and will end at 2:00 PM.  Some activities require tickets which will be handed out on a first-come, first served basis. Other activities will be on-going throughout the day.  At 2:15 PM the park superintendent will meet with all of the new recruits for a swearing in ceremony with awards!

All of the events are free; however, the standard $25.00 entrance fee per vehicle is still applicable.  For those unable to attend this special day, Junior Ranger recognition can be achieved throughout the year by completing an interactive booklet (available at the visitor center) that guides children through various activities designed to enhance their experience at Lava Beds National Monument.
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Lava Beds National Monument, established in 1925, is a land of turmoil, both geologic and historic. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features. Lava tube caves, Native American sites, historic battlefields and a high desert wilderness experience await you!
For more information about visiting Lava Beds National Monument, call 530-667-8113, email labe_interpretation@nps.gov, or go to www.nps.gov/labe. Also, visit the park’s Facebook and Instagram pages.