Dates: July 13, August 10, September 14
Cost: Free.
Age: Any age are welcome.
Time: 9:00am - 12:00 PM
Location: Boom Island Park 724 Sibley St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Calling all Junior Rangers--join National Park Service rangers and friends for recreational fun along the Mighty Mississippi. Staff and park partners will lead activities for you to learn the river in a way that's best for you!
Are you a future master angler and want to learn (or practice) your skills in fishing? Get hooked on fishing with our friends from Baztec who are hosting a fishing clinic. Anglers can tackle their fishing skills together and cast away any worries. Be shore to not miss out on this clinic so you can reel in and earn your Junior Ranger Angler badge!
Did you see that flying overhead? Head over to the National Park Service tent with volunteer Lisa K. to learn about birds and the Mississippi Flyway. Here, you'll get hands-on assistance to peek through binoculars to see cormorants, osprey, bald eagles, and other friends up close. Lisa will lead short, impromptu bird walks in the area when interest is high. Bird enthusiasts of all ages are welcome!
If you're a not-so-junior Junior Ranger wanting to move your legs further while birding, join Urban Bird Collective for a birding and biking tour (a responsible adult is required to join you if you're under 18). You'll be able to cover more ground to spot as many birds as you can find while enjoying the sights of the river. Adjustable height bicycles are provided by the Bike Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN) for heights 4'10" to 6'4". (Note: Bikes are tentatively not provided in September; participants will need to provide their own bicycle.).
When you're ready for an easy stroll, you can join a park ranger from the National Park Service! Your friendly guide will take you on a short stroll as you gaze and wonder at the sights along our Mighty Mississippi. This is a great way to explore, learn, and protect the river. By the end of the walk, you'll earn your Junior Ranger River Explorer badge!
Special Events In July and August
July: Are you ready to get on the water? Join other adventurers like you and our friends from Wilderness Inquiry for your maiden voyage! Wilderness Inquiry will takes adventurers in a voyageur canoe on the Mississippi River. A personal flotation device (PFD) and paddle are provided, so get ready to make some waves!
July and August: If you're not quite ready for that big biking adventure, join our friends from the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN)! Riders can practice their fast pedaling and quick turns as they dodge obstacles on a strider relay obstacle course. This activity is perfect for our youngest Junior Rangers working up their stamina for a longer, future ride...can you go the distance!? Bring your friends and family to cheer you on!
Be sure to adventure over to the exploration fair to learn about nature from our many friends including Fort Snelling State Park (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources), Monarch Joint Venture, COPAL, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, entomologist Jessica Miller, and more!
Questions about the event contact, please call 651-293-0200 or email miss_info@nps.gov. Questions about registration, please email info@parkconnection.org.
Thank you to partners: Baztec, Bike Alliance of MN (BikeMN), COPAL, Fort Snelling State Park, Jessica Miller, Lisa Keitel, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Monarch Joint Venture, National Park Foundation, Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), and Urban Bird Collective for their support of the Fins & Feathers program.
