DEC Junior Naturalist Program

      I started taking Kailee camping for her first times two years ago (2015) and at that time I learned of the NYS DEC Junior Naturalist Program.

It's a neat little project for kids to be entertained and educated while camping at one of select NYS Parks. Kids up to 13 years of age are allowed to grab a Junior Naturalist project book and play Nature Bingo, a crossword, animal identification and other games. They will love the expose on the yearly featured critter (this year was a chipmunk!) and learning about proper campsite etiquette and safety.

Upon completion of your stay at the campground, the kid shows their "completed" book to the Ranger and he gives them a badge displaying the aforementioned featured critter (yay chipmunk!).

  Kailee really loves working on these books every Summer and getting her impressive badge. She was 4-5 years old the first Summer we took camping trips and she kept calling it her "Smart Book.

"Wait, Dad! I Gotta work on my Smart Book!"

Now, grabbing a DEC book is a "must" of every camping trip for her.

And, I've gotta say... I wouldn't mind being able to grab my own book just for the sole reason of playing Nature Bingo!

The DEC Junior Naturalist program really is a great thing. Aside from paying park admission fee, the program and badge are free and it serves as a nice time-piece souvenir from the trip.

Kailee gives the program a thumbs up and a high five and so do I. Check it out the next time you go camping with your youngsters.

More information and a list of participating parks in the NYS DEC Junior Naturalist Program can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/21673.html .

Pictured Top-Bottom: 2015/Monarch, 2016/Bat, 2017/Chipmunk!)