Padre Island National Seashore - For Kids

Padre Island National Seashore by National Parks Service

The park conducts a number of programs during the year. These include beach walks, mini-talks, campfire programs, and bird-watching walks, among others. Most programs originate from the Visitors Center. Please call 361-949-8068 for program information.

Junior Ranger Program

The program is intended for children from 5-13. A small booklet is furnished at no charge. The booklet contains questions about the park's natural and human history, the answers to which can be found in the exhibit area. It also contains games such as matching wildlife to its habitat. There is also a short interview with a ranger, which the child can conduct using pre-determined questions such as "What is your favorite animal?". After completion, which normally takes a little over two hours at a relaxed pace, the child gives the booklet to a ranger, not necessarily the same ranger as interviewed, and he/she will look over the booklet to make certain all questions have been addressed. Incorrect answers are politely addressed with the intent of teaching the child about the seashore and the environment. The ranger then signs and dates the back cover, which can be used as a certificate, and the child is issued a plastic junior ranger badge of the same size and similar appearance to a real ranger badge.

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