Ranger Jen and friends invite young outdoor enthusiasts to dive into nature this July – exploring, learning, and, once they’re done, becoming an authentic Milton Junior Ranger.

The 4-week Junior Ranger Academy program is open to anyone between the ages of 7 and 11. And it is entirely FREE, though you do need to register in advance by going to www.miltonga.gov/Registration, going to the “Outdoor Recreation” tab, then clicking on “Jr. Ranger Academy.” 

The soon-to-be Junior Rangers will visit a different park to gain fresh perspectives and probe engaging topics at each stop. For example, they will:

• Observe wildlife on a hike at Providence Park
• Learn about fish and fishing at Mayfield Park
• Discover macroinvertebrates and backyard habitats at Lakhapani Preserve
• Tour and explore trees at Bell Memorial Park, including the Mark Law Arboretum

The sessions led by Outdoor Recreation Supervisor Jen Young will run on the last four Wednesdays in July, so the 10^th through the 31^st. To give even more children the opportunity to participate, they can come each day either in the morning (from 9:30 to 11 a.m.) or the evening (from 5:30 to 7 p.m.).

By the end of the program, participants will have completed their Junior Ranger Book and be set up to receive their official badge at a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.

And even if your child cannot make it this July – which, not coincidentally, is National Park and Recreation Month – they can still become a Junior Ranger. To find out how and get more information on this program, go to www.miltonga.gov/JuniorRangers.