Scouts can visit any National Park and receive an exploration workbook to learn more about the individual park, how to protect the natural and cultural resources on site, and learn more about conservation. Scouts are awarded certificates and/or patches.
What is the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Program?
The Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger program is a partnership between the National Park Service and the Boy Scouts of America. The program invites Scouts and Cub Scouts to participate in educational and/or volunteer service projects at national park sites. These activities spark their awareness of the national parks and provide Scouts with the opportunity to explore their national parks and learn more about protecting our natural and cultural resources. Scouts are awarded certificates and/or patches after meeting certain requirements of the program. Please read on to learn more.
How Can You Earn a Certificate and/or Patch?
Scouts and Cub Scouts (boys, girls, and young adults) can participate in the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Program through a troop, event, travel, or camp experience, and will be awarded a certificate and/or patch upon completion.
To earn a Scout Ranger certificate, Scouts should participate in organized education activities and/or volunteer service projects for a minimum of five (5) hours at one or more national parks. Once these hours are completed, download the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Certificate of Completion, which is based on the honor system.
To earn a Scout Ranger patch, Scouts should participate in organized educational activities or volunteer service projects for a minimum of ten (10) hours at one or more national parks. Examples of qualifying organized educational programs include the following:
- Ranger-guided interpretive tours
- Junior Ranger programs
- Environmental education programs
- Any other official NPS education program (campfire program, ranger-led hike, etc.)
To request that a certificate and/or patch be mailed, please complete the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger activity tracking sheet and e-mail it to the last park where you completed your hours and include your mailing address. If you are having trouble receiving your certificate and/or patch, you can email the document with your mailing address to us at npsyouth@nps.gov, and we will do what we can to help you.
GETTING STARTED
CHOOSE A NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SITE
Visit https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm. Choose a national park, monument, or any of the 423 sites protected by the National Park Service. Explore nature, learn the history, and read the stories to discover why it is important to preserve your park.
IMAGINE YOURSELF IN A NATIONAL PARK
Brainstorm activities that you might want to experience at a national park. Consider working outside with a geologist or inside identifying fossils. Maybe wildfire restoration, building a bridge, or a night sky project interests you.
CONTACT THE PARK AND MAKE A PLAN
Call the park (the phone number is on the park’s website under “Contact Us”). Identify yourself as a CUB SCOUT / SCOUTS BSA. Ask if there is someone who works with the Scout Ranger program or a volunteer coordinator. Express your ideas to the coordinator. Together, plan a project to help the park and fulfill your goals.
GO TO THE PARK AND HAVE FUN
Once all the logistics are set up, go and have fun with the Scout Ranger Program! Please keep track of your time using the activity tracking sheet, and turn it in to a Park Ranger to receive your certificate and/or patch. If your park does not have a volunteer program or is too far away to visit, work with the park volunteer coordinator on a project that meets the park’s needs.
SCOUT RANGER LOCATIONS
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/youthprograms/scout-ranger-opportunities.htm
Please be advised, this is not an exhaustive list of parks that offer Girl Scout Ranger. For a listing of Scout Ranger programs in your geographical area use our “Find Your Park” locator.
