California State Parks JlfiJMIIOa BMCia 'aOCB JM IIJI'JMI0800M California State Parks Junior Ranger Program Handbook State of California The Resources Agency © 1993 California State Parks (Rev. 5/2011) Funding to assist with printing of the Junior Ranger Handbook was made possible by the California State Parks Foundation, a long-standing supporter of and partner with California State Parks and the Junior Ranger Program. For additional copies of this handbook, contact: Interpretation and Education Division 916 654-2249 [email protected] PO Box 942896, Sacramento CA 94296-0001 ii Table of Contents Introduction to the Handbook . 1-1 About the Handbook . .1-1 Using the Handbook . 1-3 History of the Junior Ranger Program . .1-4 Program Goals . .1-5 Program Guidelines . 1-5 Junior Ranger Program Materials . .1-8 Using the Junior Ranger Logbook . .1-9 Promoting and Recording/Evaluating Your Program . 1-10 Tips for Program Success . .1-11 Working with Children . 2-1 Introduction . 2-1 Sample Program Format . 2-4 About Questions . 2-4 Guided Discovery . 2-6 Maintaining Order . 2-6 How to Focus Kids' Attention . 2-8 Ten Ways to Bore the Dickens out of Children . 2-9 Including Children with Disabilities in the Junior Ranger Program . 2-10 Needs of Special Audiences . 2-16 Interpreting to Minorities and Non-English Speakers . 2-17 Junior Ranger Cub Program . 2-17 Suggested Resources . 2-19 Animal Life . .3-1 Introduction . 3-1 Interesting Animal Facts . 3-2 California's State Animals . 3-2 Sample Programs . 3-3 Activities . 3-7 Background Information . 3-10 Suggested Resources . 3-13 California Indians . 4-1 Introduction . 4-1 Interesting California Indian Facts . 4-2 Research Questions . 4-3 Sample Program . 4-3 Activities . 4-7 More Interpretation Ideas . 4-8 Suggested Program Aids . 4-9 Background Information . 4-9 Suggested Resources . 4-21 Junior Ranger Program Handbook: Table of Contents Ecology . 5-1 Introduction . 5-1 Interesting Ecology Facts . .5-4 Sample Program . 5-4 Activities . 5-7 Background Information . 5-9 Suggested Resources . 5-14 Energy . 6-1 Introduction . 6-1 Interesting Energy Facts . 6-2 Sample Program . 6-2 Activities . 6-5 Background Information . 6-8 Suggested Resources . 6-15 Geology . 7-1 Introduction . 7-1 Interesting Geology Facts . 7-2 Sample Program . 7-2 Activities . 7-5 Background Information . 7-8 Suggested Resources . 7-13 History . 8-1 Introduction . 8-1 Interesting History Facts . 8-2 Sample Programs . 8-3 Activities . 8-11 Background Information . .8-13 Suggested Resources . 8-30 Park Careers . 9-1 Introduction . 9-1 Sample Program . 9-2 Activities . 9-5 Background Information . 9-6 Plant Life . 10-1 Introduction . 10-1 Interesting Plant Facts . 10-2 Sample Programs . 10-2 Activities . 10-9 Background Information . 10-12 Suggested Resources . 10-14 Recycling . 11-1 Introduction . 11-1 Interesting Facts about Trash and Recycling . 11-2 Sample Program . 11-3 Activities . 11-5 Background Information . 11-10 Junior Ranger Program Handbook: Table of Contents Suggested Resources . 11-18 Safety and Survival/Crime Prevention . 12-1 Introduction . 12-1 Interesting Facts About Safety and Survival . .12-2 Sample Programs . 12-2 Activities . 12-8 Background Information . .12-9 Suggested Resources . .12-18 Water . .13-1 Introduction . 13-1 Interesting Water Facts . ..